Author: Valerie Parisi

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

Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Sin No More

Then, as I raise you, the sin falls away instantly and you become lighter again. Gratitude is all I want in return. Tell Me just one word: ‘Thanks.’ (Jesus) (August 7, 1963)

Today’s Readings: Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you.
Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” (John 8)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, we, like the woman caught in serious sin and those who accused her, are all sinners. None of us could pass the test of being without sin. How easily we condemn others. Lord, You have raised all of us out of sin and death- do we reflect on this and do we thank You? Do we do our part and strive to stay not only out of serious sins but even venial sins, those little foxes that spoil the vine (Luke 13:32). Lord, we are all weak and full of faults but help us to sin no more and when we fall to turn to You in humble trust.

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

Fifth Sunday of Lent

The Resurrection and The Life- Do We Believe This?

Believe, My daughter! Let nothing lead you to abandon your goal! Your faith and confidence in Me will save you. (Jesus) (February 17, 1964 )

Today’s Readings: Jesus told her,
“I am the resurrection and the life;
whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,
and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?” (John 11)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, today we feel so crushed on every side. But we hold this treasure^* in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair,. Lord we know that You know every pain and every suffering- that You weep with us and mourn with us even as we know that You are the Resurrection and The Life and that even should we die, we will live with You forever. Lord, help our unbelief, our distrust and fear- do we believe in You! Yes!!

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 today, in this time of world crisis and fear, 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

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

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- Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me (St. Patrick)

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 Lent

Payback or Pay it Forward?

“Are there persons to whom You extend Your hands and they pay no attention?” (Elizabeth) (May 24, 1962)

Today’s Readings: Pay back what you owe.’
Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him,
‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ (Matthew 18)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, today we read how You so easily forgive all of our debts- even our really big sins. You forgive and forget all of our sins. And yet so often, we do not extend the same grace to others. We forget how much we have been forgiven. Lord help us today to forgive and extend mercy to all that ask today and even to those who do not. Let’s not return evil for evil but let us return love (Romans 12).

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? (There is a Prophet in Israel)

“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) (Full Diary Page 212)

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

If We Only Knew The Gift of God

Keep this great grace you received from Me in the depth of your soul. It is a special gift of God. (Jesus) (May 4, 1962)

Today’s Readings: Jesus answered and said to her,
“If you knew the gift of God
and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink, ‘
you would have asked him
and he would have given you living water.” (John 4)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, today we read about the Samaritan Woman- so skeptical at first but by the end of the encounter she was a true believer. You showed her everything she ever did and yet You offered Her Your Living Water that she would never thirst again. Today, Lord, so many skeptical and stuck in poor decisions just like the Samaritan Woman. Will we open ourselves to Your Gift of Yourself or will we stay stuck where we are? Lord You thirst for us and nothing we have ever done can keep us from You- only we can keep ourselves from You. May we thirst always for the Living Water that will save our souls and the souls of all we love.

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

Collecting The Produce

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

Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent

Drinking The Chalice

Look at the plants in your garden, they always climb and try to reach higher. Their flowers wither quickly, but soon new ones open up. The withering of the flower does not show its uselessness because the chalice of withered flowers contains the fertile seed which reproduces the plant. You understand, do you not? If there were no battle, what would then give value to things? Always try to go higher. Do not feel sorry for the withered chalices in your flowers. (Jesus) (June 29, 1964)

Today’s Readings: Jesus said in reply,
“You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”
They said to him, “We can.”
He replied,
“My chalice you will indeed drink,
but to sit at my right and at my left,
this is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” (Matthew 20)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, today we read in the Gospel about a mother and two disciples that are really no different from us. We follow You and we anticipate glory, and rightfully so, but we confuse earthly glory with Heaven. Lord, You came to serve and not to be served. You came to suffer and die for us- there is no way to Heaven except through the Cross. So, can we drink the chalice You have for us- knowing that the withered chalices of life contain the fertile seed of new life. Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains a grain of wheat but if it dies it bears much fruit (John 12:24). Lord, increase our faith, hope and trust that drinking the chalice You have for us would be not bitter but sweet in union with You!

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 Sunday of Lent

Rise and Do Not Be Afraid

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 23-24, 1963)

Today’s Readings: But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone. (Matthew 17)

Prayer Meditation- Lord today we meditate on the Transfiguration. Peter, John, and James see You in the Your Glory. Peter nervously tries to enter the conversation with You, the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) but really the Apostles are scared to death and have no idea what is going on. In so many ways, when faced with Your Glory and Your Majesty, we can be the same. And yet, You call us- Our God first and foremost but also Our Friend to rise and not be afraid especially in these turbulent times. You call us to be purified of doubt and fear and to rise to You in confidence and trust! Let us raise our eyes and see no one but You alone- reign in all the Earth Jesus!

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

First Sunday Of Lent

Tempted

On another occasion, Satan tempted me terribly. I could hardly keep my thoughts on God. He argued: “Do not try so hard. You will gain nothing that way. You see that you have no protector. You continue to foolishly make efforts only because of your stubbornness.” (Elizabeth) (October 9, 1962)

Today’s Readings: But the serpent said to the woman:
“You certainly will not die!
No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it
your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods
who know what is good and what is evil.” (Genesis 2)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, in this first Sunday in Lent the readings are all about temptation. As we make our Lenten resolutions, it seems that a certain someone wants to derail us even before we begin. And like Eve, how often do we give in, believing his lies because for whatever reason we don’t trust in the truth of the Gospel. O Lord, it is so comforting that we read in today’s Gospel, You were tempted also with the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Yet You did not give in but were able to defeat the enemy by prayer, fasting, and speaking the Word of God out loud! These are lessons for all of us because You will never allow us to be tempted beyond our strength but You will always provide a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13).  Lord help us to fast to conquer our appetites and to hunger only for Your Word knowing that when we fight You are always with us and angels will also come to minister to us as they did for You in the desert!

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

Saturday After Ash Wednesday

Rescue for Sinners

Jesus: “My dear child, wish Me many, many souls. This is My

only request. Souls! Oh, how I long for sinners! Oh, how I suffer

from the indifference and the contempt of souls. Tell Me, Elizabeth,

is it difficult to love Me?” (August 15, 1964)

Today’s Readings:

“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

Jesus said to them in reply,

“Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.

I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” (Luke 5)

Prayer Meditation: O Lord, how You long for us to be healed and not to stay in our sin and sickness! You long for us so much that You would eat dinner with those whom society has rejected and put aside. And You are knocking on the door of our hearts to dine with us! (Revelations 3:20). Lord come into our homes and heal us of our infirmities! Let us not be indifferent but help us to love You with Your Love because without You we are nothing.