The Day my Fiancé Died

I don't know if I should dare call Jesus my fiancé, but He is so close to being my spouse that I long to think of Him as my Betrothed. Last night at the Holy Thursday adoration time, I couldn't help embracing the beautiful, life sized statue of the Sacred Heart and kissing the foot. I am ashamed to say that I am not as fervently religious as I would like to be. But, the Tridium, especially Good Friday, brings the best out of my mental prayer life. How much I long to embrace the real Body of Christ! We are so blessed in having the Holy Eucharist. Thank you, Dear Lord Jesus!

My Good Deed on Good Friday

I finally gave in.  Yes.  It has happened. 

I have seen The Passion of the Christ. 

I was terrified of all the stories I had heard about the violence and the portrayal of evil.  However, at the end I found myself saying, "That's it?"  I suddenly discovered that it was my faith that carried me through the movie.  Yes, it was very violent and by no means pleasent.  However, it was no worse than I had invisioned in my head.  It was the ultimate sacrifice and no one could suffer more by any other means.  And, to add to the sacrifice, Jesus was completely free from sin and unjustly accused.

The violence was intense, but it was no match for the emotion that only true Christians can feel.  The emotional pain of seeing Jesus struck with one thorn was harder than any terrific violence.  The scourging seemed to drag on, and on, and on, and on...  I winced with every blow.  I could not watch the hammering of the nails.  But, again, it was not the violence, but the emotion that came from the realization of His ultimate sacrifice.  I did not cry or object because I knew the reason and necessity of the Passion.  It was like being there, walking with Mary.

The portrayal of the devil was very creepy, but it was awesome when Jesus crushes the head of the serpent!  I thought the demon-children were quite frightening, but again, you were left off with hope when Christ triumphs in His Death and resurrection.

The only thing I can't understand is the big deal people made about the movie.  I do not think it is good for every person.  It has a purpose and fulfills it, but it is only for those who already know the Truth and want only to strengthen it.

I do not ever want to see it again, except maybe on Good Friday, but I am glad that I did.

Tuesday, March 22nd

First Reading:Isaiah 1:10, 16-20
Psalm:Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23
Gospel:Matthew 23:1-12

A third path of repentance consists of prayer that is fervent, careful and comes from the heart. A fourth path of repentance is almsgiving, whose power is great and far-reaching. A fifth way, moreover, if a man lives a modest humble life, takes away sin.

-- St. John Chrysostom


Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#22#ixzz1HMUsiB3n

Monday, March 21st

First Reading: Daniel 9:4-10
Psalm: Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13
Gospel: Luke 6:36-38

The field of battle between God and Satan is the human soul. It is in the soul that the battle rages every moment of life. The soul must give free access to the Lord so that it may be fortified by Him in every repect and with all kinds of weapons; that His light may enlighten it to combat the darkness of error; that it may be clothed with Jesus Christ. To be clothed with Jesus Christ it is necessary to die to oneself. That which comes from Satan begins with calmness and ends in storm, indifference, and apathy. In the spiritual life he who does not advance goes backward. It happens as with a boat which always must go ahead. If it stands still the wind blows it back. Fix the time, the length of your meditation, and do not rise from your place until you have finished even at the cost of being crucified.

-- Saint Pio of Pietrelcina


Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#21#ixzz1HF2ho4el

Sunday, March 20th

First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4
Psalm: Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8-10 

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

O wondrous vision, which makes us contemplate the human race in the unity of its origin in God. . . in the unity of its nature, composed equally in all men of a material body and a spiritual soul; in the unity of its immediate end and its mission in the world; in the unity of its dwelling, the earth, whose benefits all men, by right of nature, may use to sustain and develop life; in the unity of its supernatural end: God Himself, to whom all ought to tend; in the unity of the means for attaining this end;. . . in the unity of the redemption wrought by Christ for all.

-- Pius XII. Encyclical, Summi pontificatus 3


Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#20#ixzz1GyLoHriM

Saturday, March 19th, Solemnity of St. Joseph, Holy Spouse of Mary

First Reading:2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16
Psalm:Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29
Second Reading:Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
Gospel:Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 or Luke 2:41-51

Salvation is shown to faith, it is prepared for hope, but it is given only to charity. Faith points out the way to the land of promise as a pillar of fire, hope feeds us with its manna of sweetness, but charity actually introduces us into the Promised Land.

-- St. Francis De Sales


Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#15#ixzz1Gb4ScmbU

Friday, March 18th

First Reading:Ezekiel 18:21-28
Psalm:Psalm 130:1-8
Gospel:Matthew 5:20-26


Believe that others are better than you in the depths of their soul, although outwardly you may appear better than they. 

-- St. Augustine


Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#15#ixzz1Gb4F3vhe

Thursday, March 17th

First Reading: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25
Psalm: Psalm 138:1-3, 7-8
Gospel: Matthew 7:7-12


We are at Jesus' disposal. If he wants you to be sick in bed, if he wants you to proclaim His work in the street, if he wants you to clean the toilets all day, that's all right, everything is all right. We must say, "I belong to you. You can do whatever you like." And this...is our strength, and this is the joy of the Lord.

-- Blessed Mother Teresa


Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#15#ixzz1Gb3w5W1Y

Wednesday, March 16th

First Reading: Jonah 3:1-10
Psalm: Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19
Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

The home must be in accord with the Church, that all harmful influences be withheld from the souls of children. Where there is true piety in the home, purity of morals reigns supreme.

-- St. John Vianney


Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#15#ixzz1Gb3Uguu9

Tuesday, March 15th

First Reading:Isaiah 55:10-11
Psalm:Psalm 34:4-7, 16-19
Gospel:Matthew 6:7-15


A first path of repentance is the condemnation of your own sins: be the first to admit your sins and you will be justified. For this reason, too, the prophet wrote: I said: I will accuse myself of my sins to the Lord and you forgave the weakness of my heart. Therefore, you too should condemn your own sins; that will be enough reason for the Lord to forgive you, for a man who condemns his own sins is slower to commit them again. Rouse your conscience to accuse you within your own house, lest it become your accuser before the judgment seat of the Lord.

-- St. John Chrysostom


Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#15#ixzz1Gb3CI7Fz

Today's Mass Readings: Monday, March 14th

First Reading:Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18
Psalm:Psalm 19:8-10, 15
Gospel:Matthew 25:31-46


Some say it is unreasonable to be courteous and gentle with a reckless person who insults you for no reason at all. I have made a pact with my tongue; not to speak when my heart is disturbed.

-- St. Francis de Sales

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#9#ixzz1G6qK7Evh

First Sunday of Lent

Readings for today:
First Reading:Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7
Psalm:Psalm 51:3-6, 12-13, 17
Second Reading:Romans 5:12-19 or 5:12, 17-19
Gospel:Matthew 4:1-11

Our wish, our object, our chief preoccupation must be to form Jesus in ourselves, to make his spirit, his devotion, his affections, his desires, and his disposition live and reign there. All our religious exercises should be directed to this end. It is the work which God has given us to do unceasingly. 

-- St. John Eudes

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#9#ixzz1G6pNf0V3