of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
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THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER


REMAINING IN THE VINE (Jn 15:9-11)

Prayer:

O Jesus, stay with me, and my life will produce good fruit.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus teaching at the Last Supper.

Context:

Jesus’ first priority is his unity with his disciples. From this oneness comes all blessings, both for the disciples and for the world. The disciples must make a choice to stay with Jesus. This decision is filled with frightening consequences. They will either be cast out into the fire or bear fruit.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

If anyone does not remain in me, he will be cast out and become a withered branch. They shall gather him up and cast him into the burning fire.
If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you want and it shall be done for you. In this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
As the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love, as I have kept the Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. Jesus highlights the disciple’s decision.  Although chosen by Jesus, the disciple must freely decide to remain in him.
  2. The wrong choice is devastating.  Like everyone else, they will be cast out into the fire of hell.
  3. Making the right choice merits the greatest blessings – complete access to God.
  4. The Father himself initiates their union with Jesus.  He loves Jesus and Jesus loves the disciple.
  5. The union is completed by the disciple keeping the Father’s commandments.
  6. Abiding in Jesus brings an indescribable joy.

Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • O Jesus, I give you my consent.  Claim me for yourself.
  • Losing you, Jesus is an unthinkable disaster.  Never let it happen.
  • You attract me.  You entice me. You call me to yourself.
  • You offer me the Father’s love and say, “This is yours if you want it.”
  • O Jesus, place your commands in my heart.  They are the doors to the Father.
  • You pour out your joy – complete and total – earthly and heavenly – for now and forever.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+ I will recall that the Father’s love for Jesus can be mine, also.
+ I will struggle to keep the commandments, never growing discouraged by my sins.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

“That my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”

image Meditations

Complete Joy

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

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Complete Joy

“Be My servant! Be always joyful! Every day that you serve Me must be a feast. Do not let anyone or anything that disturbs your cheerful spirit come near your soul. Take good care of your nuptial garment and let it radiate happiness. Wherever you go, let it be felt that you partake every day in the heavenly banquet (Jesus) (August 16, 1962)

Today’s Readings: If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that
my joy might be in you and
your joy might be complete.

Prayer Meditation- O Lord so often we do not think of this about You but You really want to have joy in us- complete joy! I have heard it said that a sure sign of the Holy Spirit in a soul is joy! And in Your Word You tell us that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10), that joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30) and that joy is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5). So why often do we let life steal our joy? Lord may we have a cheerful spirit and may we radiate happiness because we partake every day in the heavenly banquet at Mass if we so choose and as St. Teresa of Avila has said so perfectly save us from gloomy saints!

image Consuming Fire

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2025 FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER


THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES (Jn 15:1-8)

Prayer:

Bring forth your fruits in me.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus at the Last Supper.

Context:

Jesus begins a long discourse, which the apostles do not interrupt by any questions. In this text, Jesus uses the imagery of vine and branches, highlighting the necessity of the disciples being one with Jesus.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

I am the true vine. My Father is the vinedresser. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit. A branch that bears fruit, he will prune, so that it bears more fruit. You are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine. You are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him bears much fruit. Without me you can do nothing.

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. Jesus seeks the fruit of a devout life that brings forth prayer and virtues.
  2. If a soul brings forth good works the Father prunes it.
  3. The Father (the vinedresser) does everything to gain more fruit from the vine.
  4. Every branch must “abide”.  A cut-off branch can bring forth no fruit.
  5. Jesus says it perfectly, “I am the vine.  You are the branches.”
  6. His conclusion is self-evident. “Whoever abides in me brings forth much fruit.”

Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • Jesus, you alone are the vine that gives life. I will abide in you.
  • I once was a dead branch, but you have grafted me onto yourself.  Now, I bear fruit.
  • Father, prune away all that is lifeless in me.
  • Jesus, I want to bring forth greater virtues, pleasing to you.
  • Jesus, I only need to abide in you.  You do the rest.
  • With you, all things are possible.  This is the secret of staying with you.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+ I will abide with Jesus by thinking of him often today.
+ I will dedicate this whole day to Jesus.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

Whoever abides in me and I in him bears much fruit.

image Meditations

Staying Connected

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

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Staying Connected

Did you forget that I wanted you to renounce all distracting literature? Let your life be one of contemplation, prayer and sacrifice. (Jesus) (September 2, 1963)

Today’s Gospel: Today’s Readings:

Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. (John 15)


Prayer Meditation: O Lord, there is so much in our world that distracts us from Your Voice and Your Will. Our time on Earth is short and distractions are just wasted time! Help us to stay connected to You, the One True Vine by prayer and by offering every moment to You! Let us not just take up space but may we truly bear fruit (Galatians 5)! May we stay connected to You as we unplug from the world.

image Consuming Fire

TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025 FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER


JESUS’ FAREWELL GIFT (Jn 14:27-31)

Prayer:

O Jesus, fill me with your total peace.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus teaching his disciples at the Last Supper.

Context:

This gospel concludes Jesus’ teaching at the Last Supper. He tries to prepare the apostles in two ways. First, he promises to place a lasting peace in their hearts. Second, he explains that his death results from his battle with Satan, the prince of this world. Jesus suffers because he is obedient to the Father.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give. Let not your heart be troubled or be afraid. You have heard me say to you, I go away and I come back to you. If you loved me you indeed would be glad, because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
I have told you this before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe. I will not go on saying many things. For the prince of this world comes and he has no hold on me. However, the world must know that I love the Father and I do as the Father commanded.

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. The heart of Jesus is broken. Obeying the Father entails leaving the apostles in great distress.
  2. He tries to soften this hardship by filling their hearts with peace.
  3. His “going away” is just for “a little while”, the three days in the tomb.
  4. He will come back.  Only Jesus could do that.
  5. They must try to enter into Jesus’ joy.  He will be returning to the Father.
  6. He prophesies all these events, so that they believe.
  7. He must stop speaking.  The battle is at hand, the eternal combat between Jesus and Satan.
  8. His death on the cross will prove to the whole world that he loves the Father.

Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • O Jesus, your heart is always broken for me in all my trials.
  • Fill me with your peace.
  • O Jesus, for a little while you have “gone away”.
  • Come back, Jesus.  Return soon.
  • By your words, I know you live within me.
  • O Jesus, all your words have proven true.  I believe.
  • I see your arms, extended on the cross, in obedience to your Father.
  • You have destroyed my adversary, Satan.  You have won the victory for me.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+ I will try to understand Jesus’ infinite love for me.
+ I will seek his peace so I can serve him.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

The Prince of this world has no control over me.

image Meditations

Peace He Gives Us

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

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Peace He Gives Us

Jesus: “Calm down, My little one. There is no reason to lose the peace of your soul over such a question. (Jesus) (September 1, 1964)

Today’s Readings: Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. (John 14)

Prayer Meditation- O Lord so many things disturb our peace- questions, worries, fears, our own weaknesses and sins. On our own we are shipwrecked. Yet You always bring Your Peace- no matter what questions we have or fears that trouble us. You calm the seas of our souls. Let us call on You Jesus and not let our hearts ever be troubled!

image Consuming Fire

MONDAY, MAY 19, 2025 FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER


REVEALED TO THE DISCIPLES (Jn 14:21-26)

Prayer:

O Jesus, send me the Holy Spirit who will teach me all things.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus at the Last Supper with his apostles.

Context:

Jesus has promised that the apostles would see him. In this text, he explains that this seeing will not be an external manifestation, but an internal, religious experience. These gifts are new and the Spirit will explain them. For now, they must be at peace.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

Judas (not the Iscariot) said, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my Father will love him. We will come to him and make our abode with him.
These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring all things to your mind, whatever I have told you.
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled or be afraid.”

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. This is an important question, “Why does not the whole world see Jesus? Why does Jesus reveal himself only to these disciples?”
  2. Jesus and the Father are revealed internally. Only a disciple who loves God can receive this revelation.
  3. Keeping the commandments prepares the disciple’s heart to be God’s dwelling place.
  4. After coming to the disciple, Jesus will send the “Paraclete”, the Holy Spirit.
  5. This Spirit will teach and remind the disciples of Jesus’ teaching.
  6. The final result is a peace, which removes all fear from their hearts.

Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • O Jesus, what a great mystery! You manifest yourself to me but not to the world.
  • If I love you, you and the Father will come and abide with me.
  • O Jesus, send your Spirit into my heart. He will teach me.
  • O Jesus, let your peace burst forth and flood my whole being.
  • O Holy Spirit, how can I grow troubled when you abide with me?

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+ I will treasure the presence of Father, Son and Spirit in my soul.
+ I will seek quiet moments, so the Spirit can teach me.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

My Father and I will come and abide with him.

image Meditations

Dwelling In Him

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 Easter

Dwelling In Him

Jesus: “I’ll wait for you at home. When you arrive, I will be in our little dwelling.” (Jesus) (September 1, 1963)

Today’s Readings: Jesus answered and said to him,
“Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. (John 14)

Prayer Meditation- O Lord we love You, we adore You and we thank You because You have promised that whoever loves You will keep Your Word and You will love him and make Your Dwelling with him. And that the Holy Spirit will come and teach and remind us of everything You have taught us and want to teach us. O Lord, You want to dwell in  our souls not just in Heaven but on Earth and You wait for us in the little homes of our hearts and souls if we would just open the door because You stand at the door and knock! (Revelations 3). It is in You that we live and move and have our being (Acts 17) even as we hold these treasures You give us in jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4). Our God, Our Father, Our Savior, and Our Closest Friend with total love and confidence in You and may You make Your dwelling in us! Breathe in our breathing, think in our thinking, speak in our speaking for Your Glory God and for the good of all souls!

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SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2025 FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER


JUDAS ISCARIOT (Jn 13:31-35)

Prayer:

O Jesus, I will glorify you by my love for others.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus at the Last Supper.

Context:

Judas has just left the Last Supper. Only the eleven apostles remain. Jesus speaks of two great realities – he will glorify God by his obedient death and the apostles must love one another so all the world sees that they belong to Jesus.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

After Judas had left the Upper Room, Jesus said, “Now is the son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorifies in him, God also will glorify him in himself and immediately he will glorify him.
Little children, I will not be with you much longer. A new commandment I give to you. That you love one another. As I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, that you have love for one another.”

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. When Judas left to betray him, Jesus knew that his death was inevitable.
  2. His obedient death is the way he will give glory to the Father.
  3. The Father will reciprocate.  He will glorify Jesus in the resurrection.
  4. While all these events are happening, the disciples will feel abandoned.
  5. For a “little while” Jesus will be taken from them.  He cannot do anything to avoid that suffering.
  6. They are ready for the greatest commandment, far beyond loving each other as they love themselves.
  7. They must love as Jesus loved them.
  8. This is the great sign to the whole world.

Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • Jesus, teach me obedience to the Father.
  • O Father, I, too, will glorify you and you will glorify me.
  • O Jesus, how dark it is when you are absent.
  • Let it be “just a little while”.  Come back soon!
  • Jesus, give me your Holy Spirit so I can love as you loved.
  • Your love can change me and the whole world.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+ I will imitate Jesus’ obedience to the Father.
+ I will love everyone with Jesus’ love.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

I will not be with you much longer.

image Meditations

They Will Know Us By Our Love

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

Fifth Sunday of Easter

They Will Know Us By Our Love


My Mother accompanied Me everywhere with her love, her sacrifices and her prayers. You must do the same, and I will bless your efforts. (January 17, 1964)


Today’s Readings: I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13)


Prayer Meditation- Lord, in this world, they are not going to truly know us or be convinced by our knowledge of the faith, our intellectual rigor, or even signs and wonders if they are not done in love. Without love, we are but clanging symbols! (1 Corinthians 13). To love like Our Mother ,Lord is to accompany our loved ones everywhere with love, prayer and sacrifice. To love like You is to lay down our lives even when it is hard and no one is around to console us. Lord this is a hard love! And impossible to do on our own but Lord Your Grace is enough! Use us broken as we are Lord to let Your Kingdom shine through us!

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SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025 FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER


SEEING THE FATHER (Jn 14:7-14)

Prayer:

O Jesus, I will know you so I can know the Father.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus teaching at the Last Supper.

Context:

In this text, Jesus describes two different periods of time, before the resurrection (when the disciples do not really know Jesus) and after the resurrection (when they did know him).
Philip’s question allows Jesus to expand upon what he has said.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

Jesus said, “If you had known me, then you would also have known my Father. From now on, you do know him and you have seen him. Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said, “Have I been with you so long a time and still you do not know me? Philip, he who sees me, sees the Father also. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me?”

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. Jesus expands his glory to the disciples. They will know Jesus and see the Father.
  2. Philip grows excited and blurts out the unthinkable request, “Show us the Father” (whom none have ever seen.)
  3. Jesus is disappointed. Philip has not yet understood.
  4. Philip already experiences the Father by seeing Jesus.
  5. This extraordinary blessing comes through Mary who gave Jesus his body.
  6. Philip must do just one thing – believe that Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Jesus.

Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • O Jesus, I know you. You are the Father’s only son.
  • When I speak to you, I speak also to the Father.
  • When I see you, Jesus, I see the Father. When I am close to you, Jesus, I am close to the Father.
  • O Jesus, you and the Father cannot be separated. You are bound together by the Holy Spirit of love.
  • O Jesus, how long will I be with you and still not understand? You and the Father are one.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+ I will spend this day in Jesus’ presence.
+ I will thank the Father for sending Jesus.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.

image Meditations

All In

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

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter

All In

Do you want to continue being an instrument? Do you want to climb with Me the Mount of Calvary, the Golgotha? If so, your place is beside the Mother of Sorrows. The Flame of Love of her heart that she wishes to enkindle on earth through you demands a total commitment on your part.  (Jesus) (March 24, 1963)

Today’s Gospel: For so the Lord has commanded us, I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 13)

Prayer Meditation: O Lord Paul and Barnabas and all the Apostles were all in! Being all in is scary- it involves sacrifice and commitment and pushing forward, not looking back. Yet if we climb with You on the road to Calvary, You have promised us every spiritual blessing including Our Mother who is waiting for our fiat to pour out Her Flame of Love on a hurting world! Let us meditate and prepare ourselves to be His instruments!

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FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2025 FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER


THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE (Jn 14:1-6)

Prayer:

Jesus, bring me to the heavenly mansion which you have prepared for me.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus teaching at the Last Supper.

Context:

The scene now shifts dramatically. Jesus is still in Jerusalem but no longer teaching the crowds. He has just completed the Last Supper and gives these extensive teachings only to his apostles.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house, there are many mansions. If not, would I have told you that I go and prepare a place for you? I will come back and take you to myself, so that where I am, you also may be. Where I am going, you know the way.”
Thomas said, “Lord, we do not even know where you are going, how can we know the way? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.”

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. After speaking about his death, Jesus tries to calm the disciples’ fears.
  2. Jesus never wants our “hearts to be troubled.”
  3. The apostles must believe that his death will be their door into glory.
  4. Jesus has a place for them in heaven and he will come back for them.
  5. Without realizing it, they even know the way.
  6. Thomas’ question brings out the full revelation. Jesus is the way into the Father’s glory.

Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • O Jesus, how I need you to calm my fears.
  • You always whisper in my heart, ‘Do not be troubled. Do not be troubled.”
  • O Jesus, you have entered into glory. Carry me there in your heart.
  • You will come back for me. I await you with great hope.
  • I can even set out, because I know the way.
  • You are the way and I will follow you.
  • You are the fullness of all reality. You are all in all.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+ In difficult moments, I will walk by faith’s light.
+ I will refuse to take any other road. Jesus is truth. All else is false.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in me.

image Meditations

Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled

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

Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled

After your death, will abound in the treasures of your heart those who will know, bless and glorify God. God helped you with His boundless grace to have a life filled with treasures. Those who will live after you on earth can draw abundantly from these treasures. They will be able to follow the simple road of your life. By this path, they also can reach Me.” (Jesus) (November 17-18, 1964)

Today’s Readings:

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? (John 14)

Prayer Meditation: O Lord, You have prepared a place for us with You and the Blessed Mother and all the angels and saints! How could we ever be troubled? We are Your instruments to lead souls to You- nothing we give You, no matter how little and insignificant it may seem, is wasted when united in love to You Jesus!

image Consuming Fire

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2025 FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER


AFTER WASHING THE FEET (Jn 13:16-20)

Prayer:

Jesus, I will follow your example.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus with his apostles at the Last Supper.

Context:

After washing the apostles’ feet, Jesus makes clear what that action meant. He has served the Apostles and they must serve others. Even here, the betrayal by Judas claims Jesus’ attention. He predicts the betrayal so the apostles are not scandalized by that action.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

Amen, amen I say to you. The servant is not greater than the master. Nor is the apostle greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, then you will be blessed if you put them into practice.
I do not speak to all of you. I know whom I have chosen. My purpose is to fulfill the scripture, “The one who eats bread with me, shall lift up his heel against me.” I tell you this now, before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may believe that I am.
Amen, amen I say to you, “Whoever receives the one whom I send, receives me. Whoever receives me, receives the one who sent me.”

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. Jesus renounced all of his privileges to serve mankind.
  2. He expects his disciples to do the same.
  3. If the disciple imitates Jesus, the gospel message will be clear.
  4. We are blessed only by imitating Jesus.
  5. Jesus worrying about Judas’ betrayal will affect the others. Jesus predicts the event to soften the blow.
  6. Jesus describes the greatness of a disciple. Whoever receives them, receives Jesus and the Father.

Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • O Jesus, my greatest dignity is to serve with you.
  • O Jesus, I will think like you, speak like you, act like you.
  • O Jesus, with all my faults, you have chosen me.
  • You worry about me. You are concerned. You ease my every sorrow.
  • Send me. Wherever I go as your apostle, you will go with me.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+ I will imitate Jesus’ spirit of service.
+ I will recall moments when Jesus softened my hardships.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

Blessed are you if you put these things into practice.

image Meditations

Receiving Jesus

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 Easter

Receiving Jesus

This happens day after day, year after year. You do not realize that I, also, am a Man and that you do not have to distance yourselves from Me since you have received Me in your heart. You should speak to Me in simple words. Do not leave Me alone. My Heart yearns for love and confidence. I want you to speak with Me so I can respond with the fullness of My grace. (Jesus) (May 1962)

Today’s Readings: From now on I am telling you before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send
receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” (John 13)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, You keep telling us what we need in Your Word so that we believe that You are who You are. You have given us everything. Your Word should literally stop us in our tracks if we are truly listening with the heart. May we receive You every day with love and confidence and so that You can pour out the fullness of Your Grace into our hearts through Your Word and through the Sacraments.

image Consuming Fire

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2025 FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER


NOW CALLED FRIENDS (Jn 15:9-17)

Prayer:

O Jesus, I seek only to be your friend.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus teaching at the Last Supper.

Context:

After showering his own love upon the disciples, Jesus asks that they love one another. Before asking for this love, he has made them his friends and has chosen them for an important task.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love than this no man has, that a man lay down his life for his friend. You are my friends, if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know what his lord does. I have called you friends because I have made known to you all that I have heard from the Father.
You have not chosen me. I have chosen you and have appointed you to go and bring forth abiding fruit, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. Loving others as you love yourself is no longer enough. Jesus gives a new commandment.
  2. You must love others as Jesus loves you.
  3. In his total love, Jesus is willing to lay down his life.
  4. Jesus has raised you to a new level. You are no longer his servant. You are his friend.
  5. You are his friend simply because he chose you.
  6. Because you are his friend, he reveals all his mysteries.
  7. You have one task – to fulfill God’s purpose in your life.

Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • Jesus, you loved me before I loved you.
  • Help me to love others even before they love me.
  • O Jesus, “I will lay down my life for you”. (Jn 13:37)
  • What a gift – to be your friend!
  • Reveal all your secrets to me, Jesus. I will be attentive and listen closely.
  • O Jesus, you have a task for me. Speak, Lord, I am listening.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+ I will value my new status of being a friend of Jesus.
+ Being Jesus’ friend, I will seek to know what he wants of me.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

I no longer call you servants, because I have revealed my mysteries to you. I call you friends.

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Loving One Another With Joy

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

Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle

Loving One Another With Joy

Our Lady allowed me to feel in my soul the wonderful union of the saints. I was filled with an indescribable joy. (Elizabeth) (November 4, 1962)


Today’s Readings: “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.(John 15)


Prayer Meditation- Lord, we read today about complete joy- the joy that comes from union with You! Lord You have laid down Your Life for us- enduring the Cross because of the joy that was set before You (Hebrews 12:2). You ask us to do the same- in union with You Lord help us to love those in our path today and joyfully carry the cross that You have given us, as a gift from all eternity, from Your inmost Heart (St. Francis de Sales). Let us truly love one another, not complaining and dragging our crosses, but with joy and peace laying down our lives and our wills even in the face of those sandpaper people who rub us the wrong way! And even when those people may be our family, our friends, and our co-workers!

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TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2025 FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER


SHEEP IN THE FATHER’S HANDS (Jn 10:22-30)

Prayer:

O Jesus, I will hear your voice and follow you to eternal life.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus teaching in the Temple.

Context:

Even this image of shepherd gets drawn into controversy. Not being Jesus’ sheep, the hearers do not believe that Jesus can give everlasting life to those who follow him. Jesus explains that he holds every person in his hands, just as His Father does.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

The Jews said to Jesus, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered, “I told you and you did not believe. The works I do in the Father’s name, testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me. I give them everlasting life and they shall never perish. No one can pluck them out of my hand. My Father has given them to me and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. The Jews ask a question which seemingly deserves a plain answer.
  2. However, the question comes because they refuse to believe Jesus’ testimony.
  3. More words, even plainer words, will not help them.
  4. They need to make a decision.  They must accept Jesus.
  5. Because the true sheep desire to live forever, they easily understand.
  6. Jesus holds these sheep and no one snatches them away.
  7. Jesus reveals his identity.  He is one with the Father.

Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • Jesus, you have already given me enough words.  Now, I must believe.
  • I will give you my heart. Then, I will fully understand your words.
  • Awaken in me immense desires for eternal life.
  • Jesus, I will share your relationship with the Father.
  • Speak loudly in my soul, Jesus. Silence all other voices.
  • Where else would I rather be than in your hands?

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+ I will listen today for Jesus’ voice.
+ I will stay in Jesus’ hands. I am safe there.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)

The Father has given these sheep to me and no one will snatch them from my hands.

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Encouragement In The Everyday

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 Easter

Encouragement In The Everyday

Jesus: “You are too immersed in earthly things, My little one.” Jesus: “I did not say that to discourage you. I want to encourage you so that you do not seek relief by looking to the earth in your battles. Look only at Me. I want that, while snuggling yourself right against Me and surrendering to Me in your arduous struggles, you never stop looking only upwards.” (Jesus) (February 7, 1963)

Today’s Readings: The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. (Acts 11)

Prayer Meditation- O Lord, You encourage us in our everyday battles to seek Your Face! Let us rejoice in Your Grace and encourage others to persevere in remaining faithful in their battles! Let us be like Barnabas and be encouragers because we are filled with the Holy Spirit!

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