Unborn Baby at Eleven Weeks
WHEN U.S. pro-life activist Gregg Cunningham presented graphic photos of aborted babies at some Canadian high schools a few years back, abortion "champion" Henry Morgentaler was quick to denounce the presentation as "propaganda that is completely repulsive."
THERE is a simple but beautiful prayer called "The Act of Contrition" prayed by the penitent at the end of Confession:
O my God, I am sorry with all my heart for having sinned against You. I detest all of my sins because of Your just punishment, but most of all because they offend You my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin.
The "near occasion of sin." Those four words can save you.
I DID not read the Mass readings for Monday until after writing Part I. Both the First Reading and the Gospel are virtually a mirror of what I wrote yesterday, and as such, are worth repeating here to add to our discernment.
LOST TIME AND LOVE
The first reading says this:
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show his servants what must happen soon… blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near. (Revelations 1:1, 3)
I OPENED the scriptures recently to a word which quickened my spirit.
Actually, it was November 8th, the day the Democrats took power in the American House and Senate. Now, I’m a Canadian, so I don’t follow their politics much… but I do follow their trends. And that day, it was clear to many who defend the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, that powers had just shifted out of their favor.
WE can also turn the suffering caused by our sinfulness into prayer. All suffering is, after all, the fruit of the fall of Adam. Whether it is the mental anguish caused by sin or its life-long consequences, these too can be united to the suffering of Christ, who does not will that we sin, but who desires that…
…all things work for good for those who love God. (Rom 8:28)
There is nothing left untouched by the Cross. All suffering, if endured patiently and united to Christ’s sacrifice, has the power to move mountains.
WORDS which have been circling my heart…
As the darkness gets darker, the Stars get brighter.
OPEN DOORS
I believe Jesus is empowering those who are humble and open to His Holy Spirit to grow rapidly in holiness. Yes, the doors of Heaven are open. Pope John Paul II’s Jubilee celebration of 2000, in which he pushed open the doors of St. Peter’s Basilica, is symbolic of this. Heaven has literally opened its doors to us.
But the reception of these graces is dependent upon this: that we open the doors of our hearts. Those were the first words of JPII when he was elected…
"Passion of the Christ"
I HAD thirty minutes before my meeting with the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration at the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama. These are the nuns founded by Mother Angelica (EWTN) who lives with them there at the Shrine.
After spending time in prayer before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, I wandered outside to get some evening air. I came across a life-size crucifix which was very graphic, portraying the wounds of Christ as they would have been. I knelt before the cross… and suddenly felt myself drawn into a deep place of sorrow.
Canadian Catholic singer/songwriter and evangelist
MARK MALLETT
appeared as a guest of Life on the Rock on EWTN, Thursday, November 9th.
Check EWTN’s Program Schedule for a rebroadcast: "Life on the Rock Encore"
Sun setting on "Apparition Hill" -– Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina
IT was my fourth, and last day in Medjugorje—that little village in the war-torn mountains of Bosnia-Herzegovina where the Blessed Mother has allegedly been appearing to six children (now, grown adults).
I had heard of this place for years, yet never felt the need to go there. But when I was asked to sing in Rome, something within me said, "Now, now you must go to Medjugorje."
St. James Parish, Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina
SHORTLY before my flight from Rome to Bosnia, I caught a news story quoting Archbishop Harry Flynn of Minnesota, USA on his recent trip to Medjugorje. The Archbishop was speaking of a luncheon he had with Pope John Paul II and other American bishops in 1988:
Soup was being served. Bishop Stanley Ott of Baton Rouge, LA., who has since gone to God, asked the Holy Father: "Holy Father, what do you think of Medjugorje?"
The Holy Father kept eating his soup and responded: "Medjugorje? Medjugorje? Medjugorje? Only good things are happening at Medjugorje. People are praying there. People are going to Confession. People are adoring the Eucharist, and people are turning to God. And, only good things seem to be happening at Medjugorje." —www.spiritdaily.com, October 24th, 2006
Indeed, that’s what I’d heard coming from that Medjugorje… miracles, especially miracles of the heart. I’d had a number of family members experience profound conversions and healings after visiting this place.
Rembrandt van Rijn, "The return of the prodigal son"; c.1662
INDEED, my time in Rome was an occasion of great graces. But it was also a time of trials.
I came as a pilgrim. It was my intention to immerse myself in prayer through the surrounding spiritual and historical edifice of the Vatican. But by the time my 45 minute cab ride from the Airport to St. Peter’s Square was over, I was exhausted. The traffic was unbelievable—the way people drove even more startling; every man for himself!
I AM finally back from Europe. I wanted to share with you the photos from the writing A Day of Grace… (which you can read here).
Thank you all so much for your prayers! (Click "Read More" to see the photos.)