The times we are living through have been foretold both by Our Blessed Mother and in the Holy Word of God. For the second time this writer has decided to stop commenting on the issues of the day and concentrate on prayer. The situation has gone past anything I can do to change it and there is always the danger of scandal.
This column will concentrate on prayer including the Holy Rosary (see below) given the fact that we place our faith on God and His Son Jesus Christ and as He requested trust Him and hand our problems, our troubles, over to Him.
Join us in our journey.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Let us pray
O Jesus I Surrender myself to You, You take over. Amen
Today we continue our lenten journey where we reflect on the Stations or the Way of the Cross following Our Lord's final journey in this life leading to His death on a Cross.
Each day we will reflect on a station (two on Good Friday) pray and share reflections of Mary.
Our way of course has a triumphant ending on the final day of our journey when on Easter Sunday we reflect on the lesser known Station - the Resurrection of Jesus
Preparatory Prayer
My Lord Jesus Christ, You made this journey to die for me with love unutterable, and I have so many times unworthily abandoned You; but now I love You with my whole heart, and because I love You, I repent sincerely for ever having offended You. Pardon me, my God, and permit me to accompany You on this journey. You died for love of me; I wish also, my beloved Redeemer, to die for love of You.
My Jesus, I will live and die always united to Thee.
9 Jesus Falls the 3rd Time
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Reflection
Consider how Jesus Christ fell for the third time. He was extremely weak and the cruelty of His executioners was excessive; they tried to hasten His steps though He hardly had strength to move.
Prayer
My outraged Jesus, by the weakness You suffered in going to Calvary, give me enough strength to overcome all human respect and all my evil passions which have led me to despise Your friendship.
I love Thee, my beloved Jesus; I love Thee above all things; I repent with my whole heart of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.
Jesus, for Thee I live, Jesus, for Thee I die, Jesus, I am Thine in life and in death. Amen.
Reflection of Mary
Make me feel as You have felt
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ, my Lord.
I will always remember this final fall. Having endured such a beating and having lost so much blood, my son simply collapses. I saw him lay there on the ground and I thought he was dead. His arms spread out and his face in the dirt, Jesus found himself in solidarity with all who fall in any way.
Contemplating how the soldiers roughly pulled Jesus up and made him take the last steps to Calvary, take a few moments to speak with him, expressing your gratitude for his understanding for every weakness or failure you have ever experienced.
Today We Celebrate
Tuesday of Holy Week
Hail to you, our King!
Obedient to the Father, you were led to your crucifixion
as a meek lamb is led to the slaughter.
The Word of God
John 13:21-33,36-38 - 'What you are going to do, do quickly'
While at supper with his disciples, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, ‘I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, wondering which he meant. The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus; Simon Peter signed to him and said, ‘Ask who it is he means’, so leaning back on Jesus’ breast he said, ‘Who is it, Lord?’ ‘It is the one’ replied Jesus ‘to whom I give the piece of bread that I shall dip in the dish.’ He dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. At that instant, after Judas had taken the bread, Satan entered him. Jesus then said, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’ None of the others at table understood the reason he said this. Since Judas had charge of the common fund, some of them thought Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the festival’, or telling him to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the piece of bread he went out. Night had fallen.
When he had gone Jesus said:
‘Now has the Son of Man been glorified,
and in him God has been glorified.
If God has been glorified in him,
God will in turn glorify him in himself,
and will glorify him very soon.
‘My little children,
I shall not be with you much longer.
You will look for me,
And, as I told the Jews,
where I am going, you cannot come.’
Simon Peter said, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus replied, ‘Where I am going you cannot follow me now; you will follow me later.’ Peter said to him, ‘Why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ ‘Lay down your life for me?’ answered Jesus. ‘I tell you most solemnly, before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times.’
MORNING PRAYER
Lord open our lips
and we shall praise Your holy Name.
Amen
“‘I am love and Mercy Itself. There is no misery that could be a match for My mercy, neither will misery exhaust it, because as it is being granted – it increases. The soul that trusts in My mercy is most fortunate, because I Myself take care of it.’”
Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska:
Each day I pray that the Lord
will bless you and keep you.
May He show His face to you
and have mercy.
May He turn His countenance to you
and give you peace.
The Lord bless you!
Amen.
Always remember - Jesus loves you.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in our hour of conflict. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
The Holy Rosary
Our Blessed Mother explained to us what would happen in the World and in the Church if people continued to turn from God. One of the things she asked us to do was to say the Rosary everyday. Please find a few minutes today to fulfil her request.
Today we pray
Only in God is my soul at rest.
In Him comes my salvation.
We finish as we begun
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
We recommend
Catholic Prayer Book - theworldofourlord.com
Catholic Catechism - catechismonline.com
The New Testament - thewordofourlord.com
Scripture Rosary - theholywordrosary.com