Homily #080615 ( 00min) Play – Fr. Bonaventure highlights how deep the mercy of Christ is for His sheep in the account presented in the Gospel today. He points out that this mercy and compassion which leads Our Lord to die for His sheep is the key mark that distinguishes a good pastor from bad and motivates the good ones to feed their sheep with the true, unchanging doctrine entrusted to the apostles and their successors. From this basis he launches into a critique of modern culture and politics that fall far short of the mark.
Ave Maria! Mass readingss
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Thoughts on Infinite Mercy and St. Mary Magdalene

PRESENCE OF GOD: Teach me, 0 Lord, the secrets of Your mercy that I may fully profit by them.

MEDITATION 1. God’s love for us assumes a very special claim, one that is adapted to our nature as frail, weak creatures: the character of mercy. Mercy is love bending over to relieve it, to redeem it, to raise it up to itself. It almost seems that God, in loving us, is attracted by our weakness, not because it is lovable, but because, being infinite goodness, His compassion stoops to compensate for it by His mercy.

He wants to heal our imperfection by His infinite perfection, our impurity by His purity, our ignorance by His Wisdom, our selfishness by His goodness, our weakness by His strength: God, the supreme, eternal good, wants to be the remedy for all our ills, “for He knoweth our frame, He remembereth that we are dust” (Ps. 102:14).

Since our greatest evil-rather, the only real evil-is sin, infinite mercy would be the remedy. Assuredly, God hates sin, but, although He is forced to withdraw His friendship that is, His grace, from the soul of the sinner because of the offense, His mercy still finds a way of continuing to love. If He can no longer love him as a friend, He loves him as a creature, as the work of His hands; He loves him for the that is still in him and which gives hope of his conversion. God’s mercy is so immense that no misery, however great can exhaust it; not even the most infamous sin, providing it be repented of, can halt it. This sad power is reserved to one thing only; the proud will of man by which he disdainfully shuts himself up in his wickedness, not wishing to admit how great is his need of God’s infinite mercy. In such a case, in spite of the immensity of divine mercy, the solemn words of the Gospel are fulfilled : “God hath scattered the proud the conceit of their heart, He hath put down the mighty from their seats … the rich He hath sent empty away” (Lk.1: 51-53).

2. There is no limit to God’s mercy. He never rejects us because of our sins, He never grows weary of our infidelities, never refuses to forgive us. He is always ready to forgive our offenses and to repay our ingratitude with graces. He never reproaches us for our offenses, even when we fall again immediately after being forgiven. He is never angered by our repeated failures or weakness in the practice of virtue, but always stretches out His hand to us, wanting to help us. When men condemn us, God shows mercy to us; He absolves us and sends us away justified, as Jesus did with the woman taken in adultery. “Go, and now sin no more”(Jn.8:11). By His words and example, Jesus has shown us the inexhaustible depths of God’s mercy. Let us think of the prodigal son, the lost sheep, Magdalene, and the good thief. But He has also said to us: “Be ye therefore merciful, as Your Father also is merciful” (Lk.6:36).

How far does our mercy go? How much compassion do we have for the faults of others? The measure of our mercy toward our neighbor will be the measure of God’s mercy toward us, for Jesus said, “With what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Mt. 7:2) God does not require us to be sinless but that He may shower upon us the fullness of His mercy, but He does require us to be merciful to our neighbor, and moreover, to be humble.

In fact to be sinners is not enough to attract divine mercy; we must also humbly acknowledge our sins and turn to God with complete confidence. “What pleases God,” said St. Therese of Lisieux, ” is to see me love my littleness and poverty; it is the blind hope I have in His mercy. This is my sole treasure.” This is the treasure which supplies for all our miseries, weaknesses, relapses and infidelities, because by means of this humility and confidence we shall obtain the divine Mercy. And with this at our disposal, how can our wretchedness discourage us?

Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalene (Divine Intimacy)

PRAYER TO SAINT MARY MAGDALENE

Saint Mary Magdalene, woman of many sins, who by conversion became the beloved of Jesus, thank you for your witness that Jesus forgives through the miracle of love. You, who already possess eternal happiness in His glorious presence, please intercede for me, so that some day I may share in the same everlasting joy. Amen.

Isaiah 1:18

Says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

Luke 7:47

“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much.

But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”

We find the very same message echoing like a refrain throughout the

Diary of St. Faustina:

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Jesus said to her: I am Love and Mercy itself (1074).

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My Heart overflows with great mercy for souls, and espe­cially for poor sinners ;

it is for them that the Blood and Water flowed from my Heart as from a fount overflowing with mercy (367).

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Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet (699).

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My mercy is greater than your sins, and those of the entire world (1485).

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I let my Sacred Heart be pierced with a lance, thus opening wide the source of mercy for you. Come then with trust to draw graces from this fountain (1485).

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Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion (1146).

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I never reject a contrite heart (1485).

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Sooner would heaven and earth turn into noth­ingness than would My mercy not embrace a trusting soul (1777).

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Proclaim to the whole world My unfath­omable mercy (1142).

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Proclaim that mercy is the greatest attribute of God.

All the works of My hand are crowned with mercy (301).

Jesus loved .. Mary. (Jn.11:5)

SAINT MARY MAGDALEN was the privileged friend of Jesus. She served Him with her wealth and accompanied Him everywhere. She honored His humanity magnificently with her gifts. She loved to pray at His feet in the silence of contempla­tion. For all these reasons she is the patroness and model of a life spent in the adoration and service of Jesus in the Sacrament of His love. Let us study Saint Mary Magdalen; her life is full of the very best lessons.

JESUS loved Martha, her sister Mary, and Lazarus; but especially Mary. Certainly He loved the three of them, but He loved Magdalen with preferential love. Although our Lord loves us all, He nevertheless has His favorite friends, and He allows us also have special friends in God. Friends are a natural and even supernatural need. All the saints had bosom friends, and they themselves were the most affectionate and devoted of friends.

Before her conversion Magdalen was a public sinner. She possessed all the qualities of mind and body and all the gifts of fortune that can lead one to the worst excesses. And she fell into them. The Gospel lowers her to the rank of a public sinner. She was so degraded that Simon the Pharisee felt disgraced when she entered his home. And he even doubted the prophetic power of Jesus because the Master allowed her to remain at His feet.

But after having been forgiven, this poor sinful woman was to take her place among the greatest saints. See her at work. Human respect is, more than anything else, what holds back great sinners and prevents them from being converted. “I will not be able to persevere,” they say. “I dare not start what I cannot finish.” And disheartened, they go no further.

But Magdalen learned that Jesus was in Simon’s house. She did not hesitate, but went straight to Jesus and made her confession in public. She dared enter a house from which she would heave been shamefully expelled had she been recognized at the door. While at the feet of Jesus, she said not a word; her love spoke audibly enough. Artists have painted her with disheveled hair and disorderly dress; that is all imagination; it would not have been worthy either of Jesus or of her contrition.

She went straight to Jesus without mistaking anyone else for Him. But where had she known Him? Ah! An ailing heart knows well where to find the One that will comfort and cure it!  Mary dared not look upon Jesus. She said nothing: true contrition acts that way. Look at the Prodigal Son and at the Publican. The sinner who looks God full in the face after having offended Him insults Him. But Mary wept: she “washed the feet of Jesus with her tears and wiped them with the hairs of her head.” Her place is at the feet of Jesus. These feet trod the earth, and she knew she was but the dust of a corpse. The world is extremely fond of beautiful hair; she used hers as a rag.

She remained prostrate on the ground, awaiting her sentence. She heard the remarks made by the envious Apostles and Jews who honored only triumphant and crowned virtue. They did not like Magdalen who was teaching everyone of them a lesson; for everyone of them had sinned, but not one had the courage to ask pardon publicly. Simon himself, bloated with pride and hypocrisy, grew indignant. But Jesus avenged Magdalen. What beautiful words of re­habilitation: “More has been forgiven her because she has loved more …. Thy faith hath made thee safe,” said the Savior to her. “Go in peace.” He did not add: “Sin no more.” Jesus had said this to the adulteress, who was more humiliated for having been caught in the act than repentant for having offended God. But Magdalen had no need of that advice; her love assured Jesus’ of her firm purpose of amendment. What a beautiful and touching absolution! Magdalen must have had a very perfect contrition! When you go to confes­sion, unite yourself to Magdalen and let your con­trition, like hers, proceed more from love than from fear.

Magdalen withdrew after having received this baptism of love. By her humility she became more perfect than the Apostles. Ah! Despise sinners now if you dare! One moment is enough to turn them into great saints. How many among the greatest has not Jesus Christ drawn from the mire of sin: Saint Paul, Saint Augustine, and many others! Magdalen opens the way for them; she ascended to the very Heart of God because she started very low and knew how to humble herself. Who then has a right to despair?

MAGDALEN’S love became active after her conversion. That is an important lesson. Many converted sinners do nothing else beyond being converted. They want to remain in the peace of a good conscience through fidelity to the Commandments. They dare not follow Jesus, and they end by relapsing into sin. Man cannot live on tears and regrets. You have destroyed the ob­jects to which your heart was so attached and of which you lived; you must substitute something else and live of the life of God.

You want to re­main at the feet of Jesus? He rises to go; follow Him and walk with Him. And so Magdalen be­gan to follow Jesus; she was never to leave Him. We find her again at His feet, listening to His words and pondering them in her heart. That was the grace of her life. She had no language other than meditation, prayer, and love. She followed Jesus and practiced the virtues proper to His vary­ing conditions of life. A conversion that does not go beyond sentiment is not lasting.

Mary shared the different states of Jesus. During His journeys she procured for Him what He required for His own subsistence and that of His Apostles. Jesus was frequently to come to the home of His hosts in Bethany; by way of exchange’ He gave them a food of grace and love. On each occasion Mary sat at His feet and remained there in prayer. Martha became envious of her once, as do all those who think there is only one good state of life, one good way of living. Every state of life is good. The one you have is good; persevere in it, but do not despise the others. When Martha waited on Jesus, she was doing something good; but she was wrong in being envious of her sister. You know how Jesus answered her and defended Magdalen. It is better to listen to His voice than to wait on Him. It still happens that people en­gaged in active callings complain of contemplative souls: “You are useless! Come along and work for the salvation of your brethren in charitable’ undertakings.” But Jesus defends them. Must not one also practice charity towards Jesus Christ, Who is so poor and abandoned in His sacrament? Magdalen heard that dialogue and her sister’s complaints; but she did not answer them. She was at the Savior’s feet, and she remained there.

Another characteristic trait of Magdalen’s active love is suffering; she suffered with Jesus Christ. No doubt she knew beforehand of her Master’s death; friends have no secrets for each other. And if Jesus revealed His Passion to His Apostles who were so rude, why would He have concealed it from Magdalen?

See Magdalen in her suffering love. She went where men were afraid to go; she ascended Cal­vary; she forsook her dearly loved family; she fol­lowed the suffering Lord to the very end. And we find her with Mary at the foot of the Cross. The Gospel mentions her by name, and she cer­tainly deserves it. What was she doing there? She loved and sympathized. A friend wants to share the condition of his friend. Love fuses two lives, two existences into one Magdalen did not stand; she remembered she had been a sinner, and she remained on her knees. Mary alone stood, im­molating her dearly beloved Son, her Isaac.

Magdalen stayed there until after the death of Jesus. She returned on the morning of the first day of the week. She knew very well that Jesus was buried; but she wanted still to suffer and to weep. The Gospel praises the zeal of the other women and the magnificence of their gifts; it speaks only of the tears of Magdalen. She is the Christian heroine. More than all the saints Mag­dalen shows us the immensity of divine mercy.

St. Peter Julian Eymard

The post The Penitent who became a Saint first appeared on AirMaria.com.

This devotion to the Our Sorrowful Mother was originated in the Thirteenth century. It recalls the Sorrows the Virgin Mother of God endured in compassion for the suffering and death of her Divine Son.

The post Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary – Servite Rosary (Pt.2) first appeared on AirMaria.com.

This devotion to the Our Sorrowful Mother was originated in the Thirteenth century. It recalls the Sorrows the Virgin Mother of God endured in compassion for the suffering and death of her Divine Son.

The post Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary – Servite Rosary Part 3 first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Homily #100331 ( 08min) Play – In Issiah the prophet talks bout the need to have a well trained tongue and this is what Jesus demonstrates in his merciful dealing with Judas in today’s Gospel. Fr. Bonaventure exhorts us to have similar compassion on our fellow men by having compassion on Our Lord and Lady in their passion.
Ave Maria! Mass readings
1: Isa 50:4-9
R: Ps 69:8-10,21-22,31-34
G: Mt 26:14-25

Audio (MP3)

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How great are the clemency and compassion of Mary.

STORY

In the life of Father Anthony de Colleli we find the following occurrence narrated:  “A certain unfortunate woman was having illicit relations with two young men.  One of these, prompted by jealousy, stabbed the other to death.  Very much frightened by what had happened, the sinful woman went to confession to Father Onofrius.  She related the following:  After the murder the unfortunate man appeared to her, all black, bound in chains, and surrounded by flames.  He held a sword in his hand with which he attempted to kill her.  Trembling with fear she cried out:  ‘Why do you wish to kill me?  What have I done to you?’  The man, filled with rage, replied:  ‘What, you wretch, you ask what you have done!  It is your fault that I have lost my God.’  Immediately the woman called on the Blessed Virgin to help her, and at the sound of the name of Mary, the apparition vanished.”

PRAYER

O Mother of mercy, since you are so compassionate, and have so great a desire to render service to us poor creatures and to grant our requests, behold I, the most miserable of all men, have now recourse to your compassion, in order that you may grant me that which I ask.  Others may ask what they please of you, – bodily health, and earthly goods and advantages; but I come, O Lady, to ask you for that which you desire of me, and which is most in conformity and agreeable to your most sacred heart.  You are so humble; obtain for me humility and love of contempt.  You were so patient under the sufferings of this life; obtain for me patience in trials.  You were all love towards your neighbour; obtain for me charity towards all, and particularly towards those who are in any way my enemies.  You were entirely united to the divine will; obtain for me entire conformity to the will of God in whatever way he may be pleased to dispose of me.  You, in fine, are the most holy of all creatures; O Mary, make me a saint.  Love for me is not wanting on your part; you can do all, and you have the will to obtain me all.  The only thing, then, that can prevent me from receiving your graces is, either neglect on my part in having recourse to you, or little confidence in your intercession; but these two things you must obtain for me.  These two greatest graces I ask from you; from you I must obtain them; from you I hope for them with the greatest confidence, O Mary, my Mother Mary, my hope, my love, my life, my refuge, my help, and my consolation.  Amen.

The post The Glories of Mary #21: Clemency and Compassion of Mary first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Mary Vitamin for July 23rd

Topic: The First Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary
(In honor of the month of the Precious Blood)

Quote:
And there appeared to him an angel from heaven strengthening him. And being in
an agony, he prayed the longer. And his sweat became as drops of blood,
trickling down upon the ground.
Luke 22:43-4

Meditation:
Venerable Anne Catherine Emmerich explains that Our Lord in the garden of
Gethsemane “understood not only the consequence of every species of
concupiscence, but also its own peculiar expiatory chastisement, the
significance of all the instruments of torture connected with it; so that not
only the thought of the instrument made Him shudder, but also the sinful rage of
him that invented it, the fury and wickedness of all that had ever used it, and
the impatience of all, whether innocent or guilty, who had been tortured with
it. All these tortures and afflictions Jesus perceived in an interior
contemplation, and the sight filled Him with such horror that a bloody sweat
started from the pores of His sacred Body.”
The Life of Jesus Christ and Biblical Revelations, Volume 4, (Tan Books), 89

Does a mother suffer only when she witnesses the suffering of her child? Or does
she suffer over and over again in her heart, anticipating the suffering of her
child? Is Our Lady not aware of the avarice of Judas and the hatred of the
leaders in the Temple towards her Son? A mother in her compassion cannot help
but anticipate the pain and suffering of her child. It is not recorded in Holy
Scripture that Our Lady was present in the Garden, but her heart was always
unwaveringly united with God, and she would share in his agony on the eve of the
great manifestation of God’s passionate love for mankind. She would share, the
way a Mother shares in the suffering of her son: silently, meekly, heart
breaking, full of love, yet accepting.

Resolution:
I will meditate in the Rosary what it cost Our Lady to accept the Will of God in
the Redemption of humanity. Our Lady does not need to be present in
the Garden of Gethsemane to share in the suffering of Her Son.

Marian Vow:
The Immaculate was the universal Mediatrix of redemption, to wit, was the only
Coredemptrix who has shared in person with the Redeemer –“under Him and with
Him” (LG 56) — the work of universal redemption, cooperating actively with her
tears, mixed in the Blood of Her Crucified Son, to rescue sinful mankind, from
Adam to the last man who lives on the earth.
Marian Seraphic Pathways, Statutes #51

I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Thanks be to God for graces received.

Related sites: Castle of the Immaculate

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Mary Vitamin is a daily Email support for Marian mental prayer. Each day (Monday through Friday) members will receive a brief Marian quote with a corresponding Marian meditation and resolution. The Mary Vitamin is designed to make mental prayer a little simpler and bring Our Lady into your day in a systematic way.

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Face of Pro-Life #152 – Darlene Wagner Compassion and Pro-life ( 30min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

Darlene Wagner, Producer of Face of Prolife, discusses with Friar Roderic, who is filling in as host for Corinn Dahm, the need for a Pro-life candidate who can show some compassion and moderation in regard to cutting the social programs and so be able to reduce the polarization of our country and be more electable as well.

Ave Maria!

Audio (MP3)

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Homily #120915b ( 09min) Play – Fr. Joachim outlines the compassion of Our Lady which parallels the passion of Christ, starting with the prophecy of Simeon and ending with His burial. Yet, in a certain way continues as the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church continues to suffer.

Ave Maria!
Mass: Our Lady of Sorrows – Feast – Form: OF
Readings: 
1st: heb 5:7-9
Resp: psa 31:2-3, 3-4, 5-6, 15-16, 20
Gsp: joh 19:25-27

Audio (MP3)

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Homily #131204 ( 00min) Play – Our Lord teaches and feeds the multitude. The Lord’s compassion is so great and so moved by his love for us, that he heals many and feeds the multitude. Jesus loves also to be within our midst. We should express the same disposition toward him. We should visit him as often as we can at holy Mass and at the tabernacle. We should also invite him into our lives at home and in everything we do and everywhere we are.
Ave Maria!
Mass: St. John Damascene – Opt Mem – Form: OF
Readings: Wednesday in the 1st Week in Advent
1st: isa 25:6-10
Resp: psa 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
Gsp: mat 15:29-37

Audio (MP3)

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