Author: Valerie Parisi

There is always a great and continual longing for God in my heart. I accepted life, death and suffering according to His Holy Will. This filled me with such felicity words cannot express it. My heart throbbed with happiness. (Elizabeth) (June 5, 1965).

But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives,
and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust;
Whom I myself shall see:
my own eyes, not another’s, shall behold him,
And from my flesh I shall see God;
my inmost being is consumed with longing. (Job 19)

Prayer Meditation: O Lord this passage from Job in the RSV-CE edition states I know that my Redeemer Lives! We know that we shall someday see You face to face, but now we see as through a glass darkly (1 Corinthians 13) if we see You at all. O Lord, Job as we know went through many tribulations and yet through it all he was still consumed with longing for You! Can we say that in our struggles our thoughts turn to longing for You of do they turn to worry, fear, despair, anger even?  Do we want to scream “why us!” or do we accept life death and suffering according to Your Holy Will? O Lord there is a beautiful song by Nicole C. Mullen called My Redeemer Lives which has some beautiful lines about longing for You in our suffering. Lines from this song- “the very same God that spins things in orbit runs to the weary, the worn, and the weak. And the same gentle hands that hold me when I’m broken, they conquer death to bring me victory!”  O Lord, we know that Our Redeemer Lives!

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

Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

All That We Can’t Leave Behind

Ever since
then, I heard Jesus’ demand many times in my soul. However, I did not write it down. But
rather, I tried to remove from my mind the idea to leave all behind. (Elizabeth) (Diary Page 13)

Today’s Readings: 
And another said, “I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”
Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow
and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9)

Prayer Meditation: O Lord, how many times do we try to remove from our minds what it is You are asking of us. The enemy of our souls whispers to us so many excuses- so many thorns choking His Grace in our souls! Worries, fears, anxieties, demands of our state in life- Yes Lord but not yet we say! Lord help us to truly discern Your call in our lives- when to stay and when to go because we do not want to miss the time of our visitation! Let us plow forward for the Kingdom without looking back because our eyes are fixed on You!

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

Memorial of Saint Therese

Fire From Heaven

If a fire breaks out in a place, people come from everywhere so there is as little damage as possible. Then why do you not put out Satan’s fire? You let the flame of hell carry out its destruction. (Jesus) (August 7, 1962)

Today’s Readings: On the way they entered a Samaritan village
to prepare for his reception there,
but they would not welcome him
because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.
When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,
“Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven
to consume them?” (Luke 9)

Prayer Meditation: Oh Lord, today’s Gospel can be kind of humorous when we think about John and James, the Sons of Thunder, wanting to call down fire from Heaven. Then we realize, so often that is us! How many of us have “called down fire” in throwing Bible verses or catechism paragraphs at our loved ones to prove we are right and they are wrong and on the wrong track! We judge others when it is Your job, assuming we know where they are heading but the truth is we do not even know where we are headed! Even St. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:27 that he pommels his body to subdue it, lest after preaching to others he himself should be disqualified. It is not our job to call down fire from Heaven but to spread the Flame of Your Love so that we can truly counteract Satan’s Fire which rages out of control today. It is not spending time and energy on the latest outrage , no matter how justified that leads us to Heaven but spending time in prayer and adoration so that we can love others with Your Love that calls down the only Fire that heals! In the words of Saint Therese, let us love since our heart is made for nothing else!

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

Memorial of Saint Jerome

The God Who Gives And Takes Away

Maternal dignity is at the
same time a vocation saturated with sufferings, and that is what I share with you. I thank you,
my little one, for your participation that is continual and filled with sacrifices. I, as a loving
Mother, can assure you of your heavenly reward.” (Mary) (August 27, 1964)

Today’s Readings:

“Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb,
and naked shall I go back again.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD!” (Job 1)

Prayer Meditation: O Lord You are the God who gives and takes away! In our respective vocations Lord we will have sufferings and crosses. At all times, Lord, help us to praise You in whatever storm we are in- knowing that You are with us and You will never let us go! Let us ask for the intercession always of Our Blessed Mother who has shared our sufferings and who prays for us without ceasing!

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

Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Would That We All Would Be Prophets (Numbers 11)

When you hear anyone pronounce My Name with a sigh, let this ring unceasingly in your ears. Help that soul to come close to Me.” (Jesus) (November 29, 1962 )

Today’s Readings: Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. (Mark 9)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, it is so easy to become territorial in trying to work for You but You have told us whoever is not against You is for You! Lord would that we all would be prophets which means one who speaks Your Truth and that we would all be One in You! May our hands gather in unity as we pray and sacrifice for Your Flame of Love to spread and Your Kingdom to reign on Earth as it is in Heaven!

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

Afraid To Ask

Oh, how sad I am to see the multitude of devout souls living a pious life without earning much merit on behalf of their eternal salvation. So many of them do not attempt to come close to Me in any way as though they are afraid. (Jesus) (November 8, 1964)

Today’s Readings: 
But they did not understand this saying;
its meaning was hidden from them
so that they should not understand it,
and they were afraid to ask him about this saying. (Luke 9)

Prayer Meditation: O Lord like the Apostles we can be afraid to ask about the things we don’t understand in our lives and in our faith walk. We can bury under the rug that which is uncomfortable or a hard truth rather than take the issue to You! Oh what peace we often forfeit! Lord let us not just keep going through the motions in our spiritual life – let us never be afraid to ask the hard questions and to draw close to You- let us take everything to You in prayer and to the Sacraments!

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

Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul

Accepting Our Cross With Love

Jesus: “Ask for abundant graces. The more you ask, the more you will receive. Ask for others and do not fear that you ask for too much! I am happy when I give more. Even your desires make Me happy. Accept faithfully the sacrifices that I ask of you for My Cause. Many ask repeatedly to share in My works, but when they must accept a sacrifice from My own hands, they are afraid of Me. (March 4-7, 1962)

Today’s Readings: Once when Jesus was praying in solitude,
and the disciples were with him,
he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah;
still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’”
Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.”(Luke 9)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, so many of us can declare with St. Peter that You are the Christ but what do we say and do when we hear about the Cross as the disciples did after this declaration of faith? Do we become afraid or do we trust in You? So yes Lord, may we share in Your Works but may we also accept with love the crosses You send our way as they come to us formed by Your Own Hands for our sanctification and Your Glory! Fiat Lord!

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

Thursday of the Twenty Fifth Week of Ordinary Time

Joy Comes In The Morning

All morning, even as I completed my household tasks, it was as if I was not living on earth. The tasks did not occupy my mind. I was entirely possessed by the presence of the Lord Jesus and the Blessed Virgin. (Elizabeth) (December 12, 1964)

Today’s Readings:

Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands! (Psalm 90)

Prayer Meditation: O Lord our daily routines can seem so monotonous and hard- what is all of it even worth? Yet Your Mercies are new each morning! Lord fill us with Your Kindness that we may praise You in our everyday tasks today no matter how small and mundane! Fill us with Your Joy that we may be possessed by You!

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

Wednesday of the Twenty Fifth Week of Ordinary Time

Take Nothing For The Journey

Jesus: “My daughter, renounce yourself. I keep insisting on this because you can only share in My work of Redemption if you live united with Me at every moment. There must be no interruption… (Jesus) (March 4-7 1962)

Today’s Readings: Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases,
and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God
and to heal the sick.
He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey,
neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,
and let no one take a second tunic.

Prayer Meditation: Lord, today we read how the Apostles were sent out and that they were to take nothing for the journey. Lord we want to follow You and serve You and yet how many of us are holding onto baggage that we keep dragging behind us. The baggage of sins, our past, our appetites, wants, and desires. The baggage of our own ego and wanting to be in charge. And yet to follow You and share in Your Work of Redemption is to die to ourselves so that it is not us who live but Christ who lives in us (Galatians 2:20). Impossible to do without Your Grace- Jesus we trust in You!

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

Tuesday of the Twenty Fifth Week of Ordinary Time

Right in Our Own Eyes

Do not be surprised, my little instrument, that you cannot speak eloquent words. I am the one who acts and who enkindles the Flame of Love in the depth of hearts. I am the one who confused your words and darkened your mind. I did not want any pride in your soul. (Mary) (December 17, 1962)

Today’s Readings: All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes, but it is the LORD who proves hearts. (Proverbs 21)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, there is a way that seems right to us but so often it just takes us off track (Proverbs 14:12). Without You we can do nothing (John 15:5). Lord heal us of our pride and vanity that get in the way and purify our hearts so that is Your Voice we will hear when we would go to the left or the right (Isaiah 30:21)!

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

Memorial of Saint Padre Pio

This Little Light of Mine

“Because your soul is like the pure water of a lake, My Divine eyes can always see what is within you. The pebbles at the bottom of the lake shine with light and cause delight. (Jesus) (December 12, 1964)

Today’s Readings: Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. (Luke 8)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, if Your Light is living in us than others should be able to see it. We may think we have to do great things for You but it is really little things done with great love that make the difference each day and which show the world Whose we are and Who our hearts beat for every day! Lord may You gaze upon us and see Your Light lifted high on a lampstand in our souls! This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine! In the words of Saint Padre Pio, pray, hope, and don’t worry!

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

Twenty Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Asking Wrongly

“They avoid what is difficult, and as the years go on, their soul becomes grey and covered with dust. Woe to them, because through example they influence others.” (Jesus) (December 22, 1963)

Today’s Readings: You do not possess because you do not ask. You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. (James 3)

“If anyone wishes to be first,
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” 
Taking a child, he placed it in their midst,
and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;
and whoever receives me,
receives not me but the One who sent me.” (Mark 9)

Prayer Meditation- Lord in today’s Gospel we see the disciples are just not getting it. They are angling for their position in what they think will be an Earthly kingdom (Mark 9). Lord, You instruct us to ask and seek but many times we can be like the disciples, we can want and ask for all the wrong things. We seek comfort, or position, or we seek to avoid what is hard . What we need is a heart change but we what we ask for so often is for our circumstances to change. And yet it is those circumstances that may well be the way You will sanctify us if we unite our pain and suffering to Your Most Holy Cross. Lord may our feet journey together! Lord help us to follow You and seek You first like little children, ready to serve You in the least of these!

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

Feast of Saint Matthew

You Came For Me!

“You know how pleased I am when you prostrate before Me and say that you are sorry for your sins as no sinner has ever been sorry and that you want to love Me more than all converted sinners.” (Jesus) (April 8, 1962)

Today’s Readings: Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, You remind us so vividly that You came not for the righteous but for sinners- to set us free and heal us and free us so that we can live the abundant life You have meant for us to live. (John 10). This is really good news because that means You came for me and for all of us because we are all sinners and all broken and only You can fix us. Lord help us to know that Your Gaze is always upon us- You see us where we are in our lives and You look at us with such love and ask us to follow You. Lord help us not to miss Your invitation today and every day!

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

Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Taegon and Paul Chong Ha-Sang and Companions

We Are Resurrection People!

“I know that you also hope for the moment when nothing will separate us anymore. I wait for you with all My riches. We will be totally one and indivisible. I know your heart is beating with joy and I rejoice with you.” (Jesus) (April 14, 1964)

Today’s Readings: Brothers and sisters:
If Christ is preached as raised from the dead,
how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead? (1 Corinthians 15)

Prayer Meditation: O Lord You have defeated death- You are Our Resurrected King! You walk with us through our life and You wait for us in Heaven where we will behold Your Face at last! We are Resurrection people- why do we live as ones who have no hope? Every moment of our lives lived for You will be rewarded- even now You prepare us by pouring out Your Grace in Your Word and in Your Sacraments so let us not fear or despair!

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

Thursday of the Twenty Fourth Week of Ordinary Time

Showing Great Love

Say and constantly repeat, ‘My adored Jesus.’ I have told you before how pleasant it is to Me, and even if you say nothing else for a whole hour, repeat it with repentance for your sins. This obtains many graces, forgiveness for sins, and provides peace for souls.” (Jesus) (January 2, 1963)

Today’s Readings: So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, today we read about the beautiful repentance of St. Mary Magdalene- she loved much and was forgiven much. Lord help us to break the alabaster jar of our lives and lay them at Your Feet in repentance and thanksgiving for Your Mercy that endures forever! (Psalm 118)

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

Wednesday of the Twenty Fourth Week of Ordinary Time

Love Bears All Things

Do not think that once a child has become an adult, he no longer needs his parents. My Mother accompanied Me everywhere with her love, her sacrifices and her prayers. You must do the same, and I will bless your efforts. (Jesus) (January 7, 1964)

Today’s Readings: Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13)

Prayer Meditation- Lord so many of us have been praying and sacrificing for our families- most days it does not feel like any of it is going anywhere. And yet today, we have the answer from St. Paul- it is not what we know or what we do alone because without love it is all nothing! Love bears all things and believes all things- when we are lagging in this, Lord, give us Your Mother’s Heart to love You and serve You today in those we love! In the end nothing else matters but love!

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

Tuesday of the Twenty Fourth Week of Ordinary Time

Do Not Weep

Crying and sobbing, I called out to the Lord, “Where are You, adorable Jesus? Why must I live without You? Give me the grace of conversion…” (Elizabeth) (December 27, 1962)

Today’s Readings: “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. (Luke 7)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, You are the God who holds all of our tears in Your Hands! You love us and You see our deepest sufferings and need even if we may not feel that You are there! Lord Jesus, we praise You in whatever storms we are living through- we lift our hands to the God who gives and takes away.

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

Memorial of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian

We Are Living Hosts

“I give Myself. After receiving My Precious Blood, examine your souls and become aware of the exhilaration that the power of My Precious Blood brings about in you. Do not be so insensitive. Let not routine lead you to my holy table. To the degree that you remain united to Me, My Precious Blood will burn sin out of your souls.” (Jesus) (January 16, 1964)

Today’s Readings:

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,
you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.(1 Corinthians 11)

Prayer Meditation: O Lord, let us not be insensitive to Your Real Presence within us- let us never present ourselves to You at Mass in a routine manner! Lord You are living in us- we are living Hosts! You are truly Emmanuel- God with us! Help us to be thankful for the daily gift of Your Very Self and help us to stay united to Your Sacred Heart throughout the day as we serve You in others! Let us proclaim Your Holy Name and the Holy Name of Mary as we ask to be enfolded in Your Two Hearts!

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

Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time- Our Lady of Sorrows

Who Do You Say He Is?

For you, only one thing is necessary, your uninterrupted sharing in My work of Redemption. Let this be your diversion! Do not say that I am very strict. Have I not asked you many times to renounce yourself? You must do this moment by moment. You cannot stop doing this even for a short time. I am your way and your life. Everything passes away, only your work for souls remains.” (January 18, 1964)

Today’s Readings: Jesus and his disciples set out
for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. 
Along the way he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that I am?” (Mark 8)

Prayer Meditation- Lord the answer to the question You asked the disciples is the question we must all answer and the one we have to get right! Who do I say You are? You are The Way, The Truth, and The Life! My beginning and my end! The only Name that matters and the One I want on my lips as I pass from this world! If we get this question right, the rest falls into place, even the hard stuff, the stuff that like Peter we want to run away from, our own crosses. But You have promised us that You will never leave us or forsake us! Jesus, I trust In You! Who are You- You’re everything to me! Mother of Sorrows, pray for us!

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

Feast of the Exaltation of The Cross

For God So Loved The World

Did I not shed all the drops of My Blood for all of you? My Will is to save everyone. (Jesus) (August 13, 1965)

Today’s Readings:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. (John 3)

Prayer Meditation: O Lord You so loved the world that You gave Your only Begotten Son so that we can have everlasting life! You did not come to condemn us but to save us! How can we not take up our crosses and follow You- only You have the Words of Eternal Life!