Author: Valerie Parisi

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 Lent

Not Far From The Kingdom of God

Fervently desire the coming of My Kingdom for yourself and for all the souls. When you rest at night, examine your day. What have you done for My Kingdom to arrive?” (Jesus) (April 20, 1962)

Today’s Readings: And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,
he said to him,
“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
And no one dared to ask him any more questions. (Mark 12)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, in tough times we can all feel pretty far from the Kingdom. But like the first reading in Hosea, You so want to call us back to You and heal our land. Are we ready to have nothing to do anymore with idols, with strange gods? Lord, help us keep our eyes fixed on You and on what really matters- loving You with all our hearts, minds, souls, and our strength and, through that love that You give us, help us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Lord may we love with Your Love as You live in us.

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 Lent

The Finger of God

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:

But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. (Luke 11)

Prayer Meditation: O Jesus, by the finger of God, You have touched our lives every step of the way. May we realize that the Kingdom of God is indeed upon us- in Your Sacraments, In Your Word, in Your Healing Presence and Grace in our lives in all circumstances. Lord may we ask with our whole hearts for union with You so that we may live Your life on Earth to save others.

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 Lent

Never Let Us Go

Jesus: “My little one, whenever a magnet attracts something to itself, it does not let go because that would be against the laws of nature. So, I never let go of you or of anyone else because that would be against the law of My Divine Tenderness. (Jesus) (August 3, 1964)

Today’s Readings: Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter
will pass from the law,
until all things have taken place. (Matthew 5)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, we realize how fragile life really is and that all we know can change in a minute. And yet we can be comforted that through it all, Your Law which is Your Word remains. We can know with certainty that You never let us go but You are loving us right now through the storm as we strive to hold onto Your Word. Only You are the Author of the world’s story- all that we can do is hang onto Your Word and trust in Your Mercy!

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

Solemnity of the Annunciation

Fiat!!

There has never been a time of grace like this since the Word became Flesh. Blinding Satan will shake the world.” (Mary) (September 3, 1962)

Today’s Readings: Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, today we celebrate Our Blessed Mother’s Fiat and we are thankful and rejoice at Her docility to Your Holy Will. Lord we believe that nothing is impossible with You.  You became Man in the darkness of this world at the time of the Annunciation and Your Presence has never left us. Like Our Blessed Mother, we must accept Your Will and walk in faith, even when it all just does not make sense. Lord we believe You are up to something in these times, that Your Mercy and Grace have not left us.  In fact, this is a time of grace as never before. You hold us all in the palm of Your Hand. Let us give our Fiat to Your Holy Will today which is Love and Mercy itself!

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 Lent

Too Familiar?

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

Today’s Readings: Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth:
“Amen, I say to you,
no prophet is accepted in his own native place. (Luke 4)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, it is easy to shake our heads at the town folk of Nazareth but we really should be pointing a finger back at ourselves. How many Masses attended without full attention, Sacraments received nonchalantly, and how much presumption that our parishes would always be available to us. We have had the bridegroom with us and we have given You at best often a  perfunctory genuflection when we should have been listening attentively to You at Your feet like Mary of Bethany. Lord, wake us up- may we take this time to meditate on Your Word and in prayer- let us search for You in sorrow like the Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph and may we again have the joy of finding You in Your Father’s House!

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

Third Sunday of Lent

Time We Have Wasted On The Way

What unites Me with you? Your inexhaustible repentance! Yes, this is what inebriates Me. Poor little soul, listen to My words giving recognition to what you are capable of. You inebriate the most high and all powerful God. Understand this great marvel: you can make Me happy by your repentance for your sins.” (Jesus) (July 27, 1964)

Today’s Readings: ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.'” (Luke 13)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, as we look at our lives, we can see so many wasted years, lost opportunities, stuck in patterns that we cannot be released from without Your Amazing Grace! Lord, how patient You are and how we must exhaust You! And yet You have given us the remedy- a humble contrite heart, true repentance for our sins not to beat ourselves up in some false worm of the dust mentality but in sincere gratitude and humility that You desire our conversion even more than we do! So let us examine ourselves, and let us see how You are writing the true story of our lives on our hearts- may our repentance, love and humility be inexhaustible because only You can bring forth beautiful fruit in our lives for Your Kingdom!

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

Saturday of the Second Week of Lent

Alive Again

With my Flame of Love, I want to make the home come alive again with love. I want to unite families that are scattered. (Mary) (August 8, 1962)

Today’s Gospel: While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’ (Luke 15)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, today we meditate on Your Heart- the Heart of a Father. A Father who not only waits for us to repent but runs to us at the first sign of good will! And where is the Mother in this story- she is by Your Side, Mother and Queen interceding for us! Lord, You celebrate every lost sheep who is found- let us join our prayers to Yours Lord Jesus for all who are lost in this world that they would be alive again in You!

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

Friday of the Second Week of Lent

Vintage Time

Your oil bearing seeds can only mature and produce abundant fruit in the rays of the Divine Sun. Try to serve Me even better. (Jesus) (October 4, 1962)

Today’s Readings: Hear another parable.
There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,
put a hedge around it,
dug a wine press in it, and built a tower.
Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.
When vintage time drew near,
he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. (Matthew 21)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, You have given each of us a vineyard, You have given us all that we need to produce good fruit in our souls. And You have every right to collect our produce at any time at a time unknown to us. But will we be ready or are we fighting Your Grace as if You have no right to the vineyard of our souls. Lord, we do not own our vineyards, they belong to You! Lord, our fruit can only mature in the rays of Your Divine Sun in our lives. Lord, help us to serve You and to be ready when You call, building our lives on the Cornerstone of Your Love!

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 Lent

Only His Love Remains

Why do you prefer some passing goal? 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. (Jesus) (August 16, 1962)

Today’s Readings:

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit. (Jeremiah 17)

Prayer Meditation: O Lord, we put our faith is so many passing things- work, health, family, our country. And yet all things will pass- only Your Love remains. We are pilgrims and one way or another, we will suffer loss, pain, and grief in this world. However, united with Your Love we are like the tree planted beside the still waters of Your Grace and we will not fear.

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

Solemnity of Saint Joseph

Go to Joseph

Your most worthy patron is Saint Joseph. Do not forget him, invoke him every day. He will gladly help making our Cause a success. (Jesus) (April 10, 1962)

Today’s Readings: Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, help us to go to St. Joseph, protector of the Holy Family and terror of demons with faith and trust that through his intercession and through the Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary You will act. Fiat!

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

Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

Purify Our Intentions

My little one, do not be overwhelmed. Live hidden in great humility. Except for a few persons, no one should know about you.(Jesus) (March 4-7, 1962)

Today’s Readings: All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ (Matthew 23)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, we who follow You may find ourselves in many ministries and activities to the point of exhaustion, but who are we really serving? No one wants to admit it, but are we doing what we do to be seen? Yet, Lord, You do Your Work through the humble and the hidden. Lord, many of the things we do may be good but are they about the one thing necessary (Luke 11)? Lord, all of our works are filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) if You are not in them- purify our intentions that we would serve You in true humility.

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

Second Monday of Lent-Saint Patrick’s Day

Good Gifts Will Be Given

Let this be the supreme goal of your lives, the most valuable gift that you can bring to Me. Take advantage of every opportunity and every means to save souls. Work at it! Remember what you once read: ‘If each Christian would save just one soul, no one would be lost.'” (Jesus) (January 15, 1964)

Today’s Readings: “Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.” (Luke 6)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, how often it is that we judge and we condemn. We do this even in our own families. We forget that we are not the judge- You are the judge. How often, because of our own anxiety, fears, worries, we feel like it is up to us to singlehandedly save our family members totally apart from You. There is no condemnation in You (Romans 8:1) but there is plenty in us. Lord instead of judging, arguing, and cajoling let us unite our desires for our loved ones with Yours and take advantage of every means to save souls- prayer and fasting most of all! Help us to give ourselves for Your Cause so that blessings would flow to our families because You will never refuse to hear prayers for the conversion of sinners.

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

Second Sunday of Lent

Show Me Your Glory

“When your body leaves the earth, you will enjoy this glory with Me, impacting favorably on the souls living on earth. Repeat frequently with the angels, ‘Glory to God’ (Jesus) (December 2, 1964)

Today’s Readings: Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. (Luke 9)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, so often we are looking for those mountaintop moments! Those times when we can say like Peter, Master, it is good that we are here. I am sure many of us reading this, in taking a few moments to meditate on Your Goodness, can remember so many moments of Grace in our lives! In fact, we should do this, remembrance of the Holy moments in our lives helps us to grow in faith, trust and love! We can all be so clueless, like Peter, even in those moments, not fully appreciating or realizing Your Glory! But the truth is, so much of life is lived in the valley, not the mountaintop and it is meditation on Your Goodness and Love that gets us through as does Your Promise that indeed we will be with You forever praising Your Glory!

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

Saturday of the First Week of Lent

Perfected In Love

If we refer to the Flame of Love, the Lord Jesus will enlighten our intellect to know what we must do, for example, how we can choose between two things and which is the most perfect and represents the Will of God. (Elizabeth) (July 11, 1975)

Today’s Readings: And if you greet your brothers and sisters only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, it just seems natural- we prefer those who like us and tend to avoid those who don’t. These people can even be among our loved ones at times- how many times do we avoid family members who criticize us. Perfect love just seems like some kind of ideal we will never reach. And yet You do not ask us to be perfect to set us up for failure. You really mean we can love those who hate us and persecute us- Lord it is in Your Love and Love alone that we can be perfected. Lord Jesus enlighten our minds and our hearts that we would always choose Your Will and not ours so that we would be perfected in love this Lenten season!

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

Friday of The First Week of Lent

Every Little Prison

All can work for Me, the free man and the one suffering in prison. What is important is the availability of the soul and the spiritual freedom which constitutes the culture of the soul. (Jesus) (May 24, 1963)

Today’s Readings: Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” (Matthew 5)

Prayer Meditation- Lord today we read how if we are angry, if we are holding onto resentments and unforgiveness and do not let them go there is only one place for us- prison. Because the prison is not as we imagine it, Your judgement of us over every failure, but we put ourselves in prison when we do not settle quickly with opponents even if it is just forgiveness in our own hearts. So many of us think we are free, but we are really suffering in the prisons of our own making. Lord, help us today to forgive all and let us leave resentment at the foot of the cross so that our souls will be fully available for the spiritual freedom You died to give each one of us!

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

Thursday of the First Week of Lent

Ask, Seek, Knock

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. (Jesus) (March 4-7, 1962)

Today’s Readings: Ask and it will be given you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and it shall be opened to you. Whoever asks, will receive. Whoever seeks, will find. To whomever knocks, it shall be opened. (Matthew 7)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, how timid we are so often in prayer. So afraid to ask for what we really need or to seek what we are looking for. Do we pray to You as our real Father, who loves us far more than our own parents even if they were saints? We see in our lives how, despite our faults, we give what is best to our children. How much more so will You Lord, if we just ask with trust. Even if the answer is no You always hear our prayers and give us what we really need. Lord, today, let us repeat three words for ourselves and our loved ones- ask, seek, knock! Let us pray always with faith and trust!

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

Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

The Reluctant Prophet

I overlook everything. By Your repentance You attract Me like a magnet, and any soul doing that will attract Me. (Jesus) (July 26, 1964)

Today’s Readings: The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and announce to it the message that I will tell you.” (Jonah 3)

Prayer Meditation: O Lord, You have asked us like Jonah to announce the good news of Your Gospel! You have asked us also to repent of our own sins. You cast them as far as the East is from the West if we only repent- how many times have You forgiven us! Let us not be afraid then to announce the message You have given us- even reluctant prophets like Jonah can be used for Your Glory!

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

Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

Teach Us To Pray

“One Our Father or one Hail Mary prayed in the midst of spiritual dryness is much more fruitful than exuberant prayers of someone who abounds in spiritual favors.” (Jesus) (May 2, 1962)

Today’s Readings: “Our Father, who are in heaven. Hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, there was a time in my life when I was anxious about many things (Luke 11) and I cried to You in frustration in my many words- I wish there was just one prayer that said it all! Then it hit me- there is! We so often take the Our Father, which most of us learned as children, for granted. But if we truly meditate on what we are praying we find that You have given us all we need to live in union with You! Lord, help us to seek Your Will in all thing and  to receive our daily bread at Mass if we can, or in spiritual communion, and in  reading Your Word. Lord forgive us for all the times we have missed it and have sinned and help us to forgive others as You always forgive us. Help us to persevere in all trials and temptations in confidence knowing You will not let us be tried beyond our strength (1 Corinthians 10). Let us pray this prayer daily with intention and we will find You have given us all that we need!

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

Monday of the First Week of Lent

What is Filling Your Thoughts?

“Renounce yourself and your own entertainment. Think about how I work within you, My little sister, and do not allow any passing diversion into your soul. (Jesus) (January 18, 1965)

Today’s Readings: Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19)

Prayer Meditation- Lord is it so easy to get caught up in entertainment. We end the day tired and we turn on the TV or we drive to the incessant beat of the car radio with blaring music or news, none of it very good! This is not necessarily sinful but what are we filling our heads with- is this entertainment leading us to or from You? Lord let us fill out thoughts with Your Word and Your Presence- can we say a rosary during that car ride.? Could we spend time each night reading our Bibles? Lord let the words of our mouths and the thoughts of our hearts be pleasing to You- let everything we choose to fill ourselves with each day lead us closer to You!

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

First Sunday of Lent

Winning The Victory

I had never experienced this wonderful glance which now accompanies my soul. It helped me to win a great victory over the terrible temptations of the Evil One. (Elizabeth) (January 14, 1963)

Today’s Readings: The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.” (Luke 4)

Prayer Meditation: O Lord You are the Living Word and the Living Bread from Heaven. You are all that we need to fight the snares of the evil one. Only with You can we have victory over our temptations and not fall into sin. The Gospel today shows the way- to speak Your Word out loud which means we need to know it and live it. To worship You alone and nothing else that the world has to offer no matter how tantalizing. To not depend on ourselves but on You alone!  May we keep our eyes fixed on You and speak Your Word out loud when we are tempted- there is power in the name of Jesus!