THE CONDESCENDING GOD

ON THE CONDESCENSION OF GOD

 Saint John Chrysostom...quotes:

"God does not appear as He really is, but according to the capacity of the one who seeks to "contemplate Him."

According to the dictionary, the meaning of the word condescend reads: " to descend from the privileges of superior rank",  "to condescend to give."

To some degree, God is apparently present in each human person according to the capacity of our

Contemplation of Him !

 Do you think about God? Do you see His way of working in your daily life?

Would our capacity to see God increase if we did make prayer a daily commitment?

Would the world be a better place if we allowed God's Presence to enter more deeply into our lives?

"With God all things are possible"(Matthew 19:26)

When making my very first retreat, in the late 1970's, a priest suggested that I find and attend a prayer group. I didn't even know that prayer groups existed!   One of the retreatants  invited me. It just happened to be in the area, so...I decided to go.

The group was very inviting, joyful in song and praise and uplifting in spirit! It was the joy that I was seeking...and I wondered what their secret was...so I returned.

The next week, Mr. Boucher was teaching about prayer, and time to be with God in prayer. He gave us suggestions on beginning...

Commit to making a date with God each day.

Make a quiet, comfortable space at home to retreat to.

Begin with 5 or 10 minutes each day.

Choose a sacred word to consent to God's presence within.

With eyes closed, silently... say the sacred word.

When thoughts enter in, gently return to the sacred word.

At the end of the prayer time, remain silent with eyes closed.

Pray an our Father.

This centering prayer became a door of peace allowing graces to enter.

In the silence I heard the word, "Come!" I was encouraged!

This prayer became a way of life and I hungered for the peace and Presence.
Little did I know how much this would continue to change my outlook and inner being.

With a growing family of four children, a dog, and a working husband, who also was a call fireman and  an ambulance driver, my daily date with God in prayer was a little bit of heaven!

 My time needed to be taken seriously and kept. It wasn't easy to do! I began by explaining and seeking ten minutes without interruptions. There was a sign on my door " GOD AT WORK !"
After a time the children must have seen a difference in me and all was well!   

GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE: RISE UP O' MEN OF GOD!

                                                                                                                                                                                Please bear with me...
                                    The following insights and readings actually came                                                        November  the 10nth, to be exact.                                                       

                              For whatever reason I know not why, they were found today! 

"God's thoughts are so beyond my thoughts and His ways so far beyond my ways"

Nov 10nth is the Feast day of Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church.

I quote the writings from the listing of the saints...

"He was probably born in Rome and was raised to the See of Peter in 440 He was a true pastor and father of souls. He labored strenuously to safeguard the integrity of the faith and vigorously defended the unity of the Church. He pushed back or at least softened the onrush of the barbarians. He deservedly won the title "the Great."
  Pope Leo the Great saw a vision of something that was to come against the Church in the future. The vision so moved him that he asked that this prayer, which the Holy Spirit gave to him, be prayed for the protection of the Church after the celebration of the  Mass.
   He died in the year 461.


Prayer to St.Michael the Arch Angel

Saint Michael the Arch Angel defend us in battle
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil,
May God protect us, we humbly pray,and do thou
 O' Prince of the Heavenly hosts cast into hell, satan
and all evil spirits, who wander the earth seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen

The above prayer to St. Michael is also a protective prayer for any need of the family.

GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE

Make me know the way I should walk,

To You I lift up my soul.

Let Your good spirit guide me 

in ways that are level and smooth.

Psalm 143: 1-11

Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ...

                        Early in the morning of your resurrection, You  made your Love known...          

You brought the Light of dawn to those who dwell in darkness.

When Mary Magdalene ran to the tomb she found Life and Light

not death, darkness or despair.

Let the Holy Spirit guide us together into the land of justice.

May we discover and regain for our nation what was once lost.

History will tell how You gathered your people, strengthened their resolve,

planted them on their feet to stand firm , once again, proclaiming liberty for the poor,

freedom and justice for all!

Bring together all those who have been scattered, fearful and misled.

Make us know the way we should walk by the light of your Holy Spirit.

Like Moses, we have once again, crossed over the Red Sea!

  These words to a hymn found in the Breviary on my I pad seem so relevant...

Rise up O' Men of God!

Rise up O' men of God

His kingdom tarries long...

Have done with lesser things

Give heart and soul and mind and strength 

to serve the King of Kings.

Rise up O' men of GOD

His kingdom tarries long;

Bring in the day of Brotherhood

and end the night of wrong!

Rise up O' men of GOD

the Church for you does wait;

Sent forth to serve the needs of men,

In Christ our strength is great! 

Lift high the Cross of Christ!

Tread where His feet have trod

As brothers of the Son of Man,

Rise up O' men of GOD!

Wm.Pierson Merrill

                      author, 1911

                                                                                      

FAITH...never knows

FAITH ...never knows where it is being led,

but it loves and knows 

the One who is leading.

         Oswald Chambers

IN CHRIST ALONE... healing the Family Tree

IN CHRIST ALONE 

These beautiful words sing within my soul...like a mantra

"In Christ alone ...my hope is found...

He is my Light, my strength, my song..."  

Nov. 23, 2016:   An amazing insight was made clearer to me upon awakening this morning.

I AM BEING WASHED CLEAN BY CHRIST!

Not only my feet...my hands, my arms...

Yes! 

And my entire memory bank! 

Whatever was deposited into my mind is being cleansed 

and dissolved in 

The Light of Christ!

Like the chaff being separated from the wheat...old memories being seen, now "through the eyes of God"

An amazing Grace is happening as it is being observed.

  

A negative and unhealthy memory, unknown to me at the time, 62 years ago,

floated to the surface of consciousness. It surprised me! As it came it was dismissed,

 yet it left me with a feeling of heaviness.

Going into the church that day needing a priestly  blessing, I shared it openly, and

as part of the process of Grace ...it is gone forever.

Years ago, a friend and myself went through a time of prayer to heal our family trees.

We had a manual book, "Healing The Family Tree" written by Fr. Hempshe.

The prayers included the daily Eucharist. Much healing took place, for we were encouraged to pray for the deceased and the souls in purgatory. Many names of our ancestors arose as the Mass was approached each day. Our prayers actually help them rise closer to God! I know this was an amazing teaching of God's tender mercies toward all His children.

There seemed to be something  deeper that my deceased father had need of. We were in touch with Fr. H. and he suggested a memorial Mass be offered in my dad's name. The mass was celebrated at our parish. 

On December 7th.... the day of my dad's birthday,while  in a listening place of prayer,

I heard  these words, like an inner whisper..."Thanks pumpkin"...

No one knew that my dad  called me his pumpkin...
God's ways, so far beyond our ways!

My question...when healing takes place deep within our being, are others in our past generations healed also?
Is this a continuation of the generational healing needed within my family?
If there is a healing within myself, is there a continued healing  in all of humanity within the realm of
a larger universe?
We are  all one in the Body of Christ! All united in Him.

"COME HOLY SPIRIT...beloved of my soul...come!... I love You, I need You and I trust in You!

Come to strengthen ... to enlighten... to guide...

Teach me Your ways... You are the Light of Christ...

Come to heal and cleanse me from my hidden debris... come!

Wash my feet, my hands, my heart, cleanse my soul and wipe clean all memories in me 

that provoke fear and anxieties...as I give myself to You... merciful God.
Amen

THE TRUMPET CALL!

THE TRUMPET CALL!

Comfort Catholicism was being addressed in these words as I opened to You tube,

 Catholic Opinion, Msgr, Charles Pope, from National Catholic Register written on Aug. 23, 2016

"IF ever there were a time to wear soft garments,

it's not now!"

Msgr.Charles Pope of Life Site news was teaching and exhorting. He continued in quoting

scripture from 1 Corinthians 14: 8...

"If the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?" and

Psalm 144: 1

"Blessed be the Lord my rock, Who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle..."

Hands for prayer? Fingers for rosaries? were my first thoughts. Never have I been a proponent

 of wars, killing, or the misery and chaos that it brings;

He had my ear!
...here was a Monsignor, quoting scripture, which is God's holy Word...

about war?

 He continued; "Parents, leaders...prepare the children for difficult times ahead. After all these years of "comfort Catholicism"will the average American parishioner or clergyman be willing or able to endure suffering, persecution and loss  which will get bolder by the month and the year?"

"The dark movements that marched in under the banners and guise of tolerance...

 have gained power and are seeking to criminalize anyone who resists their vision."

Now I am listening!
 ...and remembering St. Pope John Paul 2nd stating in his encyclical to the Family a same warning

about the word "tolerance" and the meaning. He basically said that when we tolerate and accept everything as a good in itself, then we are admitting there is no Absolute, and we leave God and our responsibility for our actions out of the equation. Chaos ensues.

Through the centuries, our Blessed Mother Mary continually pleads with us in all Her appearances to the children...

"PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!"

Clearly, Psalm 144 tells us" the fruit of victory is a peace filled nation of abundance for all."

Lift high the Banners of LOVE!

Christ has won us the Victory...Jericho must fall!

 Lord Jesus Christ....

we pray for a strong and courageous Faith. Faith built upon love...

Love, even for those who would seek to persecute our belief in You. 

Mother Mary, teach us how to pray. All of us are Your children.

Bring us together by the power of the Holy Spirit,

for the Glory of God our Father. Amen

CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE

CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE

At times

I am so wanting!

I see God's glory in the other

 and...sigh !!!

Not in envy or jealousy,

I...

In poverty...

           in thirst 

                        in hunger...

to drink of that same Well.

Across the desert I must go......

to leave all behind and 

to find...

The food I seek is to be found

in leaving 

self 

behind.

10-2-2004

CROATIA, MEDJUGORJE' and What was seen?

MEDJUGORJE'
  July 6, 2000                                                                                                           

It was the year 2000. The third year of a trinity Jubilee celebration. Here we were 

travelling in a bus toward Medjugorje  along the Aegean sea coastline.

Gleaming marble hills,tiled red roofs, green growth everywhere.

I am feeling the deep serenity and stillness in the air...

and turning to God the Father for all our needs.

Mountainous silhouettes  echoing one another.

A Mantle of mountains...

Stately...

          Embracing...

              Protective...

                       Silent sentinels.

There is a River...

A  River of Grace Flowing from the Triune Throne

A River of peace and mercy that flows like wine.

     Sunday; July 9th...    Rooming in "Maria's House" with the family of Jozo Vasilj- Turin and other pilgrims, sharing meals and conversations  amid many different dialects. Life is suddenly slowing down. Our travel time was near 17 hours, including the air flight, stopovers for changes and the bus ride into the town.
   We gathered for welcoming the other pilgrims, evening prayer and rosary. The music: "Mary Did You Know?" was our song and praise.
 A long 24 hours. Surprisingly we are not exhausted!


MOUNT KRIZEVAC

 Monday; July 10th... The roosters awaken  with their call to the dawn at 4:30 a.m.
 I awakened with a sense of enveloping Presence, undeniable!  Felt a tugging to walk. Putting on my hiking shoes in the dark of twilight, a desire came to walk through the vineyard toward the mountain which the
town folks said Our Blessed Mother appeared each morning at 6 a.m.
 Walking alone into the new day beginning to dawn, was a leap of faith! There were no signs, no one to get directions from, no cell phones,and this was my first day here!  My attempt led me  across the road  to a campfire pit. Nothing! "Okay, guardian Angel, show me the way...help me!"  My watch read 4:30, there was time. Relax!  I remember seeing a sparkle, like a firefly would make. It caught my eye...a sign
                                           Turning around ,the fields and vineyards were sighted.                                                                            
I began walking with a sigh of relief and gratitude for the help of my guardian Angel.  Mount Krizevac was on the other side of the vineyard and it could be seen! So I entered and began walking toward  the mountain.
Little did I know just how high these vines grew! They were way over my head obstructing  my desired destination, and now ...which way do I go?
 Everything seemed to be turned around and this was a maze, seemingly unending. My watch read 5 a.m.
"Help me Angel! just show me the way!" Suddenly, a clear voice within gently spoke," This is the way...walk in it". "Take a right". As I followed the voice to the next crossing and the next,I continued to hear, "take this left", and so on. There was a clearing! The time?  5:55 a.m.
                                                                                                                     
 Looking around into the blue sky there wasn't a cloud in sight!  What a beautiful day!
And looking toward the mountaintop... there appeared a glowing shaped figure in a halo of a cloud at the cross!
"What am I seeing, Mother? Is that you?"
Again, looking around into the sky, there were no clouds, and when I turned again the oval figure had vanished!

MY PRAYER AT MOUNT KRIZEVAC
I knelt to pray...
"Do not leave me, Blessed Lady... don't leave me.
Stay with me. I am weak - You are strong and full of Graces. I need you. Stay by my side.
Keep me ever mindful of your Presence. Stay at my side.
I consecrate to you today, my heart, soul... all I am and have.
I place in Your Heart, Mother, all whom I meet and their needs."


How could I ever say "I saw the Lady of Medjugorje' at 6 a.m. on  Mount Krisvac?"
UNTIL......
Many years later as my friends and I sat at breakfast in a cafe' in town...
A woman walked over to our table and with some excitement, showed us a picture of the Madonna
who had appeared in the Catholic Church she attended...
 It was the same vision I had seen on the mountain... with clear features!
Now I am able to "know that I know" what was shown to me.
At the same time there was a chance to witness my story to the others!
Someone sitting there, that very day, needed to see and to hear our sharing.

"God's ways are far above our ways and His thoughts far above our thoughts!"
 Yet His timing is always perfect!