This is one of the realities of living as a Catholic or Christian. “How do I live as a someone walking with Jesus, in a world that glorifies sin?”
SIN is rampant in my world. I need only look around me to see it in my everyday – from subjective truth based on one’s own lived experience to a disregard for rational discourse and the natural law. It is in my work place, in the political climate I live in, in my social milieu, in the media and the mores.
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
As I am also learning how to manoeuvre within and without my world, I share with all the following book and article on this topic.
I hope they will help us walk in the path of Jesus towards God in a world gone dark💕🙏
The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation.
Very often as a writer, I use common phrases I think I understand.
Wow, what am I saying?
I have been reflecting the past few weeks on the Pascal Mysteries as a part of my journey in my spiritual direction, and as part of my Lenten journey to “love Jesus, know him, and to know/do his will.”
Reflecting on my past blog posts, I have often used this phrase and the deep impact of it didn’t hit me until this Sunday. Graced awareness hit me like a ton of bricks, as I realized; “Do I even know what I was talking about?”
To love Jesus, means getting to know and be in a relationship with him. Getting to know Jesus is reading the sacred scriptures and examining how it applies to me. A relationship with Jesus is communication – am I praying and talking to Jesus. It is also in looking at the world around me through Jesus’ eyes. “Is it life giving?”
Graced awareness is what I have been praying for, and when it hits me, I am in awe how simple it is.
It is only in knowing who Jesus is that I can come to love him more. Like any friendship, it entails communication and spending time together. It is through this process I learn to trust Jesus. I am after all human, and it’s been wired into me from the onset to seek relationships – especially with God. It is only when I trust, and that I can slowly move to closer to him and let go of my fears and submit to his will.
After examining and breaking down what it means “to love, know and do the will of God” and looking beyond the text – I can understand what it really means to me.
Praise be to Holy Spirit for his guidance 💕🙏
A Prayer to Know, Love, and Trust God
Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to earth to save us and show us the Father’s overwhelming love. Thank you for making it possible for us to KNOW the very nature and character of the Great I AM. You revealed that both the law and gospel are features of God and what He wants for us. The Law shows us His will and teaches us that when we follow it we will be blessed with direction and protection. The Gospel shows us His forgiving love that covers our failures with mercy and grace.
Jesus, You perfectly represent both the Law and the grace of the Gospel. Please forgive me for failing to trust You completely and by Your mercy and grace, help me to KNOW You are God, the Messiah. Help me to LOVE You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. And help me to TRUST and OBEY Your will that I might live each day for Your glory and enjoy the blessings of a soul completely surrendered to You.
Amen.
God will always find a way to communicate with us, and this homily by Father Chris Alar was an eye opener for me:
Telling those around me that the three days of darkness may soon be upon us begets an earful of disbelief and awkward laughter. I ask myself why do I bother. My main reason is to let others know of what may come and to prepare for it.
Hence dear readers, I post this not to bring stress and anxiety, but to help all prepare regardless if it’s in our life time or not. There has been plenty of personal prophecies on this as well as Marian apparitions, and there is also my own personal dreams/visions.
All I can say is that just as many will mock and not listen, there are those who will prepare as the bride prepares for her groom – The Parable of the 10 Virgins on Matthew 25:1.
Keep our hearts focused on Jesus and deter not from him in the face of all the calamities that befalls us, especially during the signs of our time.
Northern lights: Aurora seen across UK in spectacular display
There has been many signs of late, from the latest of Northern lights: Aurora seen across UK in spectacular display, to the UFO aka demon phenomenon, to the ongoing power narrative and war in the Ukraine, to the possibility of a world war that will be fought with nuclear and bio weapons (if we haven’t already seen this), earthquakes, unusual changes in weather patterns due to global warming narratives, economic fallout, as well as the legalization of abortion in many countries to the degeneration of male and femaleness to “other” – transgenderism and trans-humanism.
I can’t help but recall Noah’s time (Genesis 6-8); Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19); and other tribulations upon humanity.
It’s a time of preparation for all of us, especially as we are in the Lenten season. I know I have been called to focus on Jesus, to reflect upon his Passion, to do a daily examen, and seek forgiveness. It is only with a Jesus centred heart that I can prepare my family and those I love for the coming times.
Whether those around me listen of not, it is important we share what we know. If we are mocked, we go tell the next person:
14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.
Matthew 10:14 New International Version
There is much written and available online as to how to prepare. This information can be googled. For my family I have blessed 100% beeswax candles on hand along with blackout curtains on most of my windows. I am very confident that those of us who have a Jesus centred life will be protected by God’s angels. Please discern when reading all information online, and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Overall, pray, pray and pray!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. Optional Opening Prayers
St. Faustina’s Prayer for Sinners O Jesus, eternal Truth, our Life, I call upon You and I beg Your mercy for poor sinners. O sweetest Heart of my Lord, full of pity and unfathomable mercy, I plead with You for poor sinners. O Most Sacred Heart, Fount of Mercy from which gush forth rays of inconceivable graces upon the entire human race, I beg of You light for poor sinners. O Jesus, be mindful of Your own bitter Passion and do not permit the loss of souls redeemed at so dear a price of Your most precious Blood. O Jesus, when I consider the great price of Your Blood, I rejoice at its immensity, for one drop alone would have been enough for the salvation of all sinners. Although sin is an abyss of wickedness and ingratitude, the price paid for us can never be equalled. Therefore, let every soul trust in the Passion of the Lord, and place its hope in His mercy. God will not deny His mercy to anyone. Heaven and earth may change, but God’s mercy will never be exhausted. Oh, what immense joy burns in my heart when I contemplate Your incomprehensible goodness, O Jesus! I desire to bring all sinners to Your feet that they may glorify Your mercy throughout endless ages (Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 72).
You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.
(Repeat three times) O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You!
3. Our Father
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.
4. Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
5. The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
6. The Eternal Father
Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
7. On the 10 Small Beads of Each Decade
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
8. Repeat for the remaining decades
Saying the “Eternal Father” (6) on the “Our Father” bead and then 10 “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion” (7) on the following “Hail Mary” beads.
9. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times)
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
10. Optional Closing Prayers
Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.
O Greatly Merciful God, Infinite Goodness, today all mankind calls out from the abyss of its misery to Your mercy — to Your compassion, O God; and it is with its mighty voice of misery that it cries out. Gracious God, do not reject the prayer of this earth’s exiles! O Lord, Goodness beyond our understanding, Who are acquainted with our misery through and through, and know that by our own power we cannot ascend to You, we implore You: anticipate us with Your grace and keep on increasing Your mercy in us, that we may faithfully do Your holy will all through our life and at death’s hour. Let the omnipotence of Your mercy shield us from the darts of our salvation’s enemies, that we may with confidence, as Your children, await Your [Son’s] final coming — that day known to You alone. And we expect to obtain everything promised us by Jesus in spite of all our wretchedness. For Jesus is our Hope: through His merciful Heart, as through an open gate, we pass through to heaven (Diary, 1570).
Although it says in the Bible we know neither the time nor day when God will reveal his hand. I feel God is revealing to many of us “signs of the times,” just as Marian apparitions have also prepared her children. Please pray on it, and ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We exist in this time line for a reason. God has entrusted each of us to shine with the light of love and truth.
It is Ash Wednesday, and here we have the opportunity to return to God’s family. He waits for us to walk the 40 days with His son Jesus.
A Prayer for Ash Wednesday
“Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Gracious God, today begins a period of inner reflection and examination. The days stretch before me and invite me inward to that silent, holy space that holds your Spirit. This special time beckons me to see my life through Christ’s eyes and the truth and reality of your love incarnate. Give me the grace to enter the space of these days with anticipation of our meeting. And, when I open my soul to your presence, let your loving kindness flow over me and seep into the pockets of my heart. I ask this for the sake of your love.Amen.
How will I practice my journey this Lent? The list of my own sins is long – from gluttony to sinful thoughts, to not loving the unlovable with a deeper heart, and to all those faults I have completed in ignorance. Oh there is my shopping habit! I can only ask for God’s forgiveness and His every giving mercy in acts of penitence.
The list to choose of what to give up with the long term goal to be a better “me” is embarrassingly long. Perhaps, I will cut down to two cups of coffee instead of my daily 5. Or, I can say something positive and thoughtful in the midst of all the rumblings and complaining that’s usually around me – including my own loose tongue – unfiltered.
The point of Lent is to be a better me in my existence and in the process walk more closely in with Jesus. The goal is to be more like him, as he modelled for us while on earth.
Thank you, most merciful God for loving us in completeness in the gift of Your son, Jesus. May the Holy Spirit grace me with a deeper walk with Jesus in his Passion, and in the journey to draw nearer to him, know him more intimately and follow his will more closely.
God Bless all of you during your Lenten journey 🙏💕
Often times Christian’s and Catholics working in a toxic environment endure it as an act of love and compassion. They dare not speak out for fear of rocking the boat.
In a toxic work environment, I have been advised by my Catholic counterpart to accept it with love in my heart, that to act otherwise is being non Catholic. Well, I have got to say that only works for a limited time. Although I have given up these challenges to Jesus to carry my yoke, the feeling of being silence eats at my soul.
I have the choice to bear and grin it with a loving heart, or I voice my opinion and express the injustices I see and call it out for what it is – on my part out of love for all – the management, the staff, the children in my care, and, for the healing and happiness of all who are affected within the environment.
Yes, we are loving and compassionate. It also means that we have the duty to call out inappropriate practices and situations around us with a Jesus centred heart.
After many weeks or pondering on it, praying about it, and then even talking with my priest during confession – I went with my heart and gave my seasoned opinion as well as possible solutions.
It’s always a choice to be honest and vocal, or to be silent. As a follower of Jesus, it is important to not be seduced by the silence of following a false narrative or the status quo. It is important to speak out on injustices and to be honest in our observations and recommendations without bias. Above all, it’s not about me, but the people around me who are too fearful or passive to speak out.
In the end, in the midst of chaos and darkness, the light of Jesus and truth will aways create conflict. After all, when the light of God pierces into the heart of darkness, a prideful heart is unable to see the light. There will be criticism for my actions (“You are not being a Christian!” – this coming from a Christian), and I gladly take responsibility for it – because as a Catholic it is irresponsible for me to be silent.
Blessings to those who stand firm in the truth of God 🙏💕
I have always taught my kids to think critically and to seek the truth that’s hidden beneath the sludge of popularism. Satan no longer hides in the deep, and is in our faces dominating every facet of our lives. Most visible in the music and entertainment industry, as well as in our social media and mainstream news. Satan has infiltrated all facets of our culture.
I take the time to talk to my children and ask them to look at the whole picture, and to think critically before trusting the main narratives in our world. Asking questions will help them find the truth rather than be seduced by the lies that is now a part of the norm.
The recent UFO sightings (and shooting down) dominating the news is one example. I have been waiting for this harbinger. First the world had the Covid mandates and shutdowns. The closing of church’s and all public religious gathering was the beginning of the great lie: “Getting vaccinated is an act of love.” The UFO narrative is for me another way of mass control – for we who are in Christ know that these are demon and the work of Satan.
The dark and vile no longer hide. Satan is in your face now! It is everywhere – our music, Hollywood, mainstream media – it’s’ nefarious seeds reaping the minds and souls of the venerable.
Please stay focused on Jesus. No institution is perfect, just as Pope Benedict XVI and many Popes before him and Marian Apparitions have warned – Satans seed has permeated and infested many high places.
UFO and alien deception: a diabolical preparation for the anti-Christ (Daniel O’Connor and John Henry Weston).
I just finished The Chosen (season 2 and 3) after viewing Season 1 on Netflix. For those of you who haven’t seen season 1, it is available on Netflix, but for Season 2 and 3, I had to search for it on YouTube (or download the App: https://www.angel.com/watch/the-chosen).
I haven’t tried the app, and a little search on YouTube found many streamers who have it on their channel.
The show is not a visual or audible Bible. It is the telling of Jesus’ life and ministry from a very humanistic standpoint. It adapts many parables, stories and characters from the life of Jesus and blends it into the religious, cultural and historical nuances of Israel under Roman occupation. The telling of the story is poignant and historically accurate. All characters are well developed and gives deeper insights into the lives and signs of the time. I particularly love the glimpse into the lives of Jesus’ disciples. They were indeed a motley crew.
As a modern woman reading the Bible and drawing into it visually and drawing from my own subjective insights (with the Holy Spirits help), watching The Chosen has given me a deeper holistic understanding of Jesus and his world. At another level, I have also realized that our world today is a mirror image of that same world (with more dangerous technological weaponization of power). Racism, prejudice, the disenfranchised, et al are just as evident in our world today as it was during Jesus’ time.
What does it mean to be a Christian or Catholic today? That was a question that echoed in my mind. Jesus came into the world as the new Adam and the perfect role model for each of us to strive to be like and amplify. As I watched the sometimes conflicting relationships among all his disciples, it was Jesus at the core to keep the peace. It was Jesus to taught those around him to love, give and care. Through him, the light of his perfect humanity is what touched and transformed his followers – patience and love for all those around him.
It is for each of us to not only follow Jesus, and keep him centred in the core of our being – but to change ourselves to be more like him.
By focusing on Jesus, Peter (Simon) was able to take a few steps towards him before fear pulled him into the water – Jesus reminds Peter that he is ever present. Just as Jesus’ hand pulled Peter (Simon) out of the water, his hands pulls us out of the depth and points us to the Father.
3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
Matthew 16:3 NRSVCE
We only need to look around us to see the signs of the times – we were warned of many of events and cultural malaise by Catholic prophecy and Marian Apparitions. We need heed them.
I share a video by Daniel O’Connor (https://dsdoconnor.com/). The goal is to inspire each of us to pray more fervently the salvation of each and everyone of us 🙏 to pray for peace, and for the hand of God to be merciful. Above all, to pray we can walk in a path towards the light of God.
Be Inspired! 