Author: Valerie Parisi

Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Close To The Brokenhearted

That is why I stay close to you now. I do not disturb your rest. I am here with you in silence. May our hearts beat to the same rhythm. (Jesus) (January 19, 1964)

Today’s Readings:

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. Many are the troubles of the just man, but out of them all the LORD delivers him. (Psalm 34)

Prayer Meditation- O my Jesus, I know that You know every sorrow of our broken hearts- You stay close to us in silence. You have walked this suffering and you never leave us or forsake us. Lord You are as close as our next breath, even closer, please breathe in our breathing, may Your Heart beat with ours as You accompany us and deliver us in whatever troubles we may be going through.

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

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Seeking Only God

“O God, what have You done with me? Why do I no longer value earth? My eyes see nothing. My ears do not perceive the world’s voice. My heart beats only in You and for You. My lips desire only to praise You. I want to bless You but I cannot find words worthy of You. (Elizabeth) (April 8, 1962)

Today’s Readings: “I do not accept human praise;
moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you.
I came in the name of my Father,
but you do not accept me;
yet if another comes in his own name,
you will accept him.
How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another
and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God? (John 5)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, how many of us have been not seeking Your Praise but the praise of others. We have cared more about human respect than what You think of us in so many ways, even those who as the Gospel says, search the Scriptures but somehow miss You! Lord, let us hear Your Voice so that we would know what is pleasing to You! Let us see nothing but You!

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

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

He Never Forgets Us

“Cannot I work a miracle?” He replied. “I will so bless this impossible problem that it will be straightened out. I cannot deny my Mother anything when she uses her Flame of Love.” (Jesus) (August 3, 1962)

Today’s Readings: For the LORD comforts his people and shows mercy to his afflicted. But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. (Isaiah 49)

Prayer Meditation- O Lord where would we be without Your Mercy and Your Compassion. You comfort us in all afflictions. We can feel forsaken but You will never forget us! And You have given us Our Beautiful Mother who pleads for us constantly- Mother pour out The Flame of Love into our broken hearts today!

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

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Do You Want To Be Well?

“Because your soul has been purified of the anguish of doubts, you now have been given the power to rise to the heavenly Father and be immersed in the delightful and joyful contemplation of the Holy Trinity. (Jesus) (October 22-23, 1963)

Today’s Readings: Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.”
Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked. (John 5)

Prayer Meditation- Lord today we read about a man who was ill for a long time. He was defeated, could not even get himself to the cure. And You asked him, as You ask us now. do we want to be well? That seems like an absurd question – of course we want to be well. And yet, after the man is cured, You tell him something else that is interesting. You tell him that he is now well and not to sin anymore. May we use this time, as we progress toward Holy Week, as a time of purification from our attachments, some of which we never knew were so strong, and let us abandon ourselves to Your Mercy and Your Never Failing Love!

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

Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Believing Jesus

Do you not believe this is possible? Just trust Me. Your faith and trust will give strength to a million souls to persevere. My daughter, you must never be half-hearted. (Jesus) August 7, 1962)

Today’s Readings: The royal official said to him,
“Sir, come down before my child dies.”
Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.”
The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. (John 4)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, there is a lot of fear, worry, doubt, and anxiety it seems. Maybe we are forgetting that You are still on the throne! We feel desperate and the situation can seem hopeless like the father in today’s Gospel. But Lord, I know that each one of us can think of other hopeless times when faith brought us through. Lord, help us today just to believe in Your Word and speak it out loud. Help us to trust You  and have faith because so many don’t. Let us persevere in prayer they will have strength and hope. Let us never be half- hearted in our prayer and our thanksgiving as we praise You in all of our storms!

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

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Reckless Love of God

During the morning, the Blessed Virgin lamented with heart breaking grief that many souls were being lost due to the lack of understanding caused by superficiality. ‘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) (September 15, 1962)

Today’s Readings: 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; (Luke 15)

Prayer Meditation- O Lord, how many prodigals today, how many away from faith. How many today just live their lives on the surface, not understanding that they are meant for Eternity? Yet, Lord, You wait and when You see  make one small move toward You, here You come running  with Your Mercy and Your Grace! It is pure gift! Lord, we have all been lost one way or another at one time, help us who are “found” to pray the more fervently for those who need to know Your Reckless Love!

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

Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

O God Have Mercy On Me A Sinner

My beloved Jesus, I want to repent of my sins and to love You more than any repentant sinner. My beloved Jesus, in the future, I ask that not one day goes by without my love causing me tears of repentance. Humble me, Lord Jesus, every moment of my life, so I always see myself as poor and sinful. (Elizabeth) (1961-1962)

Today’s Readings: But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18)

Prayer Meditation- Lord today we read in the Gospel about two men in prayer. One prays to himself about all of his “achievements”, stuck in works and self- righteousness. The other comes humbly to You, a sinner in need of mercy! Lord, let us return to You, as the first reading from Hosea encourages us to do (Hosea 6). Lord strip us of all that gets in the way of perfect union with You- perfect love casts out fear! (1 John 4:18).

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!