“NO MAN’S CROSS IS LAID UPON HIM FOR HIMSELF ALONE, BUT FOR THE HEALING OF THE WHOLE WORLD”

“Look at this cross, so much bigger than the man whose body will be stretched to fit it. So much higher than the height of the man who will be lifted up above the earth on it and who, being lifted up, will draw all peoples to himself. Christ receives it with joy because he knows that this is the dead weight that must have crushed humankind had he not lifted it from their backs. This is the dead wood which at his touch is transformed to a living tree. At his touch, the hewn tree takes root again, and the roots thrust down into the earth, and the tree breaks into flower…

THE TREE BREAKS INTO FLOWER

Because Christ is to be stretched to the size of the cross, those who love him will grow to the size of it, not only to the size of man’s suffering, which is bigger than man, but to the size of Christ’s love that is bigger than all suffering. Because Christ is to be lifted up on the cross, all those who love him will be lifted up above the world by the world’s sorrow. He, being lifted up, will draw all men to himself.

CHRIST CHANGED SUFFERING TO REDEMPTION

Because Christ has changed death to life, and suffering to redemption, the suffering of those who love him will be a communion between them. All that hidden daily suffering that seems insignificant will be redeeming the world, it will be healing the wounds of the world. The acceptance of pain, of old age, of the fear of death, and of death will be our gift of Christ’s love to one another; our gift of Christ’s life to one another.

JOY AND SUPERNATURAL LIFE

No man’s cross is laid upon him for himself alone, but for the healing of the whole world, for the mutual comforting and sweetening of sorrow, for the giving of joy and supernatural life to one another. For Christ receives our cross that we may receive his. Receiving his cross, the cross of the whole world made his, we receive him. He gives us his hands to take hold of, his power to make it a redeeming thing, a blessed thing, his life to cause it to flower, his heart to enable us to rejoice in accepting our own and one another’s burdens.”
– Caryll Houselander

 

“ONE HUMAN TENDENCY IS TO BLAME OTHERS, TO POINT THE FINGER”

AT PEACE WITH ONESELF

“There is a dictum in international relations regarding the prospect of war between two nations that it is better to ‘jaw jaw than war war.’

Just as this is true for nations it is also true for us as individuals.

Our human tendency is to blame others, point the finger, accuse and defend ourselves.

We don’t readily listen to the other’s point of view, we tend to justify ourselves and see ourselves as being in the right and the other in the wrong.

Examining our conscience, being aware of our sins and faults is a grace and a blessing.

Self-awareness and self-knowledge are gifts of the Spirit. They keep us humble and repentant.”
– This article was published in “A Lenten Journey of Prayer for 2013” by AlivePublishing. For information about their booklets please visit http://www.alivepublishing.co.uk (external link).

 

“I DO NOTICE PEOPLE STILL GOING AROUND THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS…”

QUESTION: “…I do nontice people still going around the Stations of the Cross… When did the devotion of doing the Stations of the Cross begin? … Would you recommend it as a practice for Lent?

ANSWER: The answer to your second question is that I would certainly recommend it as a devotional practice for Lent. Lent is a time of prayer and penance in preparation for Easter – for Christ’s death and Resurrection. The Stations of the Cross, prayed at home or in the church, with their focus on the suffering of Christ as he made his way to Calvary is an ideal prayer and practice for Lent.

When did this devotion begin? The devotion to the passion of Christ actually began with the Crucifixion but it developed into its present form through the efforts of Franciscan Friars in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Franciscan preachers and writers began spreading the devotion worldwide, publicising the spiritual richness of the devotion.”
– This article was published in “Saint Martin Magazine” issue March 2004. For subscriptions please visit http://www.stmartin.ie (external link).

 

“WE WANT TO BE CLOSE TO THE SOURCE AND THE TOMB OF ST PETER” – HOLLYWOOD FILM WITH A TRULY CATHOLIC THEME

THE CHARISMA OF THE MAIN CHARACTER

“Obvious, one might say, thinking about the charisma of the character. A charisma, and a history that will soon end up on the big screen. To bring to the cinema, the figure of Jorge Mario Bergoglio will be the 57-year old German producer and director Christian Peschken. That, according to reports from the U.S. Site National Catholic Register, has already been achieved by a group of European investors who have put up a loan of $25 million.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Peschken, who was recently converted to Catholicism, was born in Germany but now lives and works in Hollywood. The title of the film would be ready, ‘The friend of the poor: the story of Pope Francis.’ ‘When I saw him looking down from the balcony of the loggia of blessings, I thought: this scene would be the perfect climax for a film. The idea was born at that time and since then I have never stopped working on it.’

‘THE PERFECT CLIMAX FOR A FILM’

The project involves several people. Andrea Tornielli, a Vatican Press and the Vatican Insider, the author of several books including a biography of the pope just published – ‘Francis: The Life, the ideas, the Pope’s words that will change history’ (publisher Piemme) – has given its availability for advice. The German director has also contacted Sergio Rubin, the author of a book-length interview with the then Cardinal Bergoglio, the Spanish director Antonio Cuadri and the Italian Vittorio Storaro as director of photography.

‘A PASTOR FOR SO MANY’

‘Our wish is that we want the film to speak to everyone,’ said Peschken. It will be the story of a man who followed God’s call to become a pastor for so many.’

The plan is to shoot the film in Argentina, but especially Rome. ‘We want to be close to the source, so to speak, and the tomb of Peter. Who knows, maybe we’ll have some extra help from the Holy Spirit…’ Filmimg is expected to begin early [2014]. ‘We hope that the film will receive the blessing of the Pope and it would be great if it reaches the theatres on December 17, the birthday of the pontiff. Given the history and qualities of the main character we are sure that it could be an international success.”
– This article was published in “Don Bosco’s Madonna” issue August 2013. For subscriptions or to support seminarians please visit http://www.donboscosmadonna.org (external link) or http://www.dbmshrine.org (external link).

 

LONG DISTANCE MIRACLE – ‘YOU MAY GO, YOUR SON WILL LIVE’ (Jn 4:50)

• “We go to the scriptures for life, wisdom and truth.

• Gospel Reading: John 4:43-54

• ‘You may go, your son will live’ (John 4:50)

• Jesus’ healing of the official’s son was a ‘long distance miracle.’ The sick boy was healed simply by Jesus’ word, ‘You may go, your son will live’ (John 4:50). How does Jesus speak his word to us today? In the Scriptures we encounter directly the word and the promises of Christ, and it is in the Scriptures that we find life. The Holy Spirit is the One who teaches us to go to the Scriptures for this life, grace and power. The Spirit is also the One who changes the way we approach the Scriptures. St Clement of Alexandria said: ‘The Word of God as the Word made flesh and in the word of the Scriptures is the face, the countenance, the representation of God, in whom he is brought to life and made known.’

• Lord Jesus, your word is living and active, sharper than any double-edge sword, it speaks to my heart and has the power to change the way I think and act. May your word burn in my heart.

• Our Father…, Ten Hail Marys…, Glory be…

• Today my prayer is for… ”
– This short meditation was published in “A Lenten Journey of Prayer for 2013” by AlivePublishing. For information about their booklets please visit http://www.alivepublishing.co.uk (external link).

 

“PUT ASIDE ALL EMPTY FEARS, PURSUE YOUR WAY IN PEACE”

THE BEAUTIFUL EVER-NEW LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN (IRRESPECTIVE OF YOUR PHYSICAL AGE)

“You who are just beginning life, and who, like a flower, open out your heart easily, let not the beautiful flower of your frankness be closed by a passing shadow: BE CONFIDING. And you who have already passed through many vicissitudes, you who have tested the fidelity of the world and the sincerity of men, do not shut yourselves up in yourselves, BE CONFIDING.

There are on earth two persons in whom a soul should first of all confide, the mother and the confessor.

Confide in your mother, child, for we know there are secrets which only your mother should know, – they are the secrets of your heart.

How like indeed these two hearts are, when both are pious, and how they understand each other! Confide in your confessor, for there are secrets which only your confessor should know – they are the secrets of your soul.

Lastly, remember that there is in the tabernacle a Friend always ready to greet you. Oh! go to Jesus in the Eucharist! It is His right to know all, pour out at His feet your heart and your soul.

Communicate, yes, communicate often, for Jesus Christ is guidance and strength, support in struggles, a healing balm, which cures our wounds while sanctifying them.

Have confidence then, entire confidence!

Confide in the Hand which guides our lives. Confidence in Him, Who came to save the world, and Whose voice says to us always: ‘Put aside all empty fears, pursue your way in peace!'”
– St Alph., Pious Reflections

 

FOR YOUR DIARY: GHANA CATHOLIC CHAPLAINCY UK – PILGRIMAGE

“The Ghana Catholic Chaplaincy UK is organising a

PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND

• DATE : from 28th April to 5th May 2014

• COST: £1150 for a total of eight days

• CONTACT: 07534583459 “

 

HAVE MERCY, LORD, ON ME (HYMN)

Have mercy, Lord, on me,
For you are ever kind;
Let me, oppressed with loads of guilt,
Your faithful mercy find.

Blot out my crying sins,
Nor me in anger view;
Create in me a heart that’s clean,
An upright mind renew.

The joy your favours give
Let me again obtain,
And your free Spirit’s firm support
My fainting soul sustain.
– Tate and Brady, 1698

 

“WHEN I COME OUT OF CONFESSION I FEEL LIKE I’VE ACTUALLY HAD A THOROUGH SPRING CLEAN”

“Confession is relaxing and reassuring – give it a try

For me it’s a restoration of my relationship with God. When I come out of Confession I feel like I’ve actually had a thorough spring clean. I’ve been looking at the chambers of my heart and have been thinking, is there anything that needs to be cleaned out? That’s how I feel when I come from Confession.

TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING

Right through the day after Confession, usually I keep checking myself in trying to do the right thing. I ask myself if Jesus is still happy to be in the chamber of my heart and is it still clean? I become very conscious of the way I talk and the way I deal with people. So, for me, it’s always a source of renewal that assures me that God is Love. I can almost hear the echo of the priest’s words in my ear – some of the things he’s asked me to do – and I’m reminded to continue doing them throughout the day.

‘A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH’

If I was to compare the way I felt before and after I go to Confession, it’s like coming back from the doctor’s with a clean bill of health. You feel good, you know that you’re fine, you know there is nothing to worry about, and you’re very careful to do the right thing so that you don’t have to go to the doctor’s again. But with Confession you’ll always have to keep going.

VERY RELAXING AND REASSURING

If anyone feels nervous about going to Confession I’d say that the feeling you get after is worth a try. It puts you on the path to just keep going because the thing about our faith is that you just keep on for as long as you live. There will be challenges, so just keep going and keep encouraging yourself and others to do it…

I CANNOT SAY: ‘I FORGIVE MY SINS’

[The following quote by Pope Francis]: ‘… Forgiveness of our sins is not something we can give ourselves. I cannot say: ‘I forgive my sins’. Forgiveness is asked for, is asked of another, and in Confession we ask for forgiveness from Jesus. Forgiveness is not the fruit of our own efforts but rather a gift, it is a gift of the Holy Spirit who fills us with the wellspring of mercy and of grace that flows unceasingly from the open heart of the Crucified and Risen Christ.

TRULY BE AT PEACE

Secondly, it reminds us that we can truly be at peace only if we allow ourselves to be reconciled, in the Lord Jesus, with the Father and with the brethren. And we have all felt this in our hearts, when we have gone to Confession with a soul weighed down and with a little sadness; and when we receive Jesus’ forgiveness we feel at peace, with that peace of soul which is so beautiful, and which only Jesus can give, only him.’ (19th February 2014, Wednesday Audience).

[From Bishop Conry’s Pastoral Letter]: ‘You don’t have to remember any formula of words, or how many times you have done something wrong. The priest will help you. The Pope reminds us that the priest himself, bishops and even the Pope need to celebrate this sacrament. So if you haven’t ‘been to confession’ for some time and want to discover it again, this Lent might be a good time to do it… I hope that Lent is a fruitful season for you, that you experience change not only in the weather and the lengthening of days, but also in the light in your heart and the warmth of your inner self, and come to Easter with a real sense of re-discovered joy in the Lord.'”
– The above are excerpts of an article by Clare Ward published in the feature “Lenten Reflections” in “The Catholic Universe” issue Sunday 23rd March, 2014. For subscriptions please visit http://www.thecatholicuniverse.com (external link).

 

DOMINE, EXAUDI ORATIONEM MEAM, ET CLAMOR MEUS AD TE VENIAT

Domine, exaudi orationem meam, et clamor meus ad the veniat. Ne avertas faciem tuam a me in quacumque die tribulor, inclina ad me aurem tuam. In quacumque die invocavero te, velociter exaudi me. Quia defecerunt sicut fumus dies mei: et ossa mea sicut in frixorio confrixa sunt. Percussus sum sicut foenum, et aruit cor meum: quia oblitus sum manducare panem meum. Tu exsurgens, Domine, misereberis Sion: quia venit tempus miserendi ejus.

O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to thee. Turn not away thy face from me: in whatever day I am in trouble, incline thine ear to me. In whatever day I shall call upon thee, hear me speedily. For my days are vanished like smoke: and my bones are burnt up as in an oven. I was struck like the grass, and my heart withered: because I forgot to eat my bread. Thou rising up, O Lord, shalt have mercy on Sion: because the time is come to have mercy on it.