#and God redeemed man by His Humility

[religious-extremist]

Christ has a special love for those who grew up without fathers.

Can we ever conceive of how much criticism God endured having grown up with a Virgin Mother? How many whispered doubts, how many ruinous rumors, how many family members and friends made funny jokes out of his paternity?

Matthew 13:55 showed us what kind of environment Jesus grew up in. When Jesus was in His hometown of Nazareth, he spoke to the people in parables and the crowd was amazed but they doubted on account of having known Jesus when He was a child.

“And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him.”

Christ was in Nazareth after performing miracles and gaining many disciples, and people only acknowledged him as the Carpenter’s son.

Church tradition states that St. Joseph the Carpenter, had been an elderly man when he was betrothed to the Ever-Virgin Theotokos. He was 80 years old while the Panagia was 13.

How many gossipers saw the family of Joseph, an elderly man, with his sons from a previous marriage (James, Joses, Simon, and Judas) and then saw Mary with her young son and were scandalized? Assuming adultery on her part, on account of the age of the man to whom She was betrothed?

I used to think I couldn’t be Christian because Church was only for perfect families. I grew up in Protestant churches where people judged me because of my broken family. How wrong I was!

Christ our God has a special love for people who grew up in broken families. He understands people like us better than anyone else can.

[cryptidghostgirl]

I would literally pay you to write a sequel to Humanity’s Most Favored Fantasy where the reader ends up in heaven but goes back cuz she needs everyone to know she's OK and alastor confesses cuz he won't miss the chance twice

A/N It was supposed to be a one off but I can totally make this happen bc I do feel like she would be redeemed. Sorry for so many posts today, I am really trying to get through these requests before the week of midterms I am going to deal with next week followed by a family vacation.

Humanity's Most Favored Fantasy pt. 2 (Alastor x Reader)

Pairing: Alastor x Reader

Part One: Humanity's Most Favored Fantasy (Alastor x Reader)

Warnings: I don't think there are any but please correct me if I am wrong. A tiny little baby bit of angst?? Idk, man.

Word Count: 1,783

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"You have to send me back."

Sera watched Heaven's two newest angels with careful consideration. They were each the first of their kind as far as either she or Emily knew, sinners having been redeemed.

"You have to at least let me talk to them!" Y/n pleaded, "Please, Charlie needs to know it worked. This... this place, that hotel, it's her dream. She's been dreaming for this all her life, working for it, giving it everything she has her whole life! She needs to know, she deserves to know."

"I mean, Sera, what harm could it do?" Emily tentatively asked her companion.

Y/n turned, looking back at Sir Pentious for help. Both had died in the battle for the hotel, only to be reborn as angels. They each had sacrificed themselves to Adam and his wrath for the sake of their friends, their newly found family.

The journey to Heaven had changed them. Sir Pentious was decked out in all white and gold, little hearts hidden everywhere over his body because it was his confession to Cheri that had been the final straw, that absolute show of humility in the face of sudden violent fear. Y/n on the other hand had found her angle form very similar to the statues she'd poured over as a human. A chiton hung lightly from her shoulders, her hair pulled up in an imperial Roman style and laurels winding their way around her head and through her hair. She looked positively monumental.

"Please." Y/n turned back to Sera, noting Pentious' hesitation, "You... you have to. Aren't we supposed to be all about fairness? About kindness? About caring for others?"

"She's got a point." Emily hummed, "I think we should give them a portal, at least so they can talk to their friends."

It was now Sir Pentious stepped forward, shaking slightly as he still tried to take in his new surroundings. Unlike Y/n who had disregarded them entirely in favor of the fight she was now picking with the seraphim, Pentious was overwhelmed and confused, completely loosing himself to the situation.

"Um... please, my ladies." he tentatively began before Y/n desperately cut him off.

"We wont ask for anything! Ever again! Right Pen?"

Sir Pentious nodded eagerly, his hands clasped before his chest. Emily turned to Sera, her eyes wide and pleading.

"Come on, Sera! Please!"

Sera sighed. This whole occasion was completely unheard of, totally uncharted territory.

"I suppose."

She would need to talk to God, need to get some form of guidance. For now, allowing the redeemed sinners to speak to their friends didn't seem to be too much of a risk. Emily clapped her hands in excitement, Y/n could have cried.

"Thank you."

Reluctantly, Sera nodded her head in welcome and with a flick of her wrist, a spinning disc of gold appeared in the air.

"Here are the rules." she carefully began, "One, you are not to speak to them where Emily and I cannot see both you and them through the portal. Two, there is a time limit. You get five minutes. Thre-"

"Oh come on, Sera!" Emily cut in, "Isn't that enough? This is their family, they might never get to see them again."

Sera let out another world weary sigh. She didn't have the energy to fight with Emily, it was all too much.

"Fine, fine." she waved the younger seraphim off, "Are you two ready?"

Y/n and Pentious met one another's gaze.

"Yes." Sir Pentious answered for them, "I believe so."

With a snap of Sera's fingers, the center of the glowing disc spread open like the aperture of a camera. The sight that met their eyes caused Y/n to gasp, her hands flying to her mouth.

The hotel looked completely different. Everything was nicer, shinier, bigger than either former sinner had ever seen it.

"The fuck is that?" they heard Cherri ask in her thick, Australian drawl.

"It's us!" Sir Pentious happily replied and in a flash, every member of the hotel was gathered on the other side of the portal.

"Charlie!" Y/n exclaimed, tears running down her cheeks, "Angie! Husker!"

"Y/n? Pen?" Charlie asked, her eyes wide.

"You did it!" Y/n happily replied.

"Where are you guys?" Nifty asked, looking in awe at Y/n and Pentious' stark white surroundings.

"We're in Heaven." Sir Pentious proudly replied.

"Say hi Sera, Emily!"

Emily ducked into view of the others, waving excitedly while Sera stayed put.

"Or... not Sera, I guess." Y/n mumbled, a bit disappointed.

Charlie turned to Vaggie, grabbing her girlfriend by the shoulders and shaking her intensly.

"Vaggie!" she screamed in excitment.

"You did it! I'm so proud of you." Vaggie smiled up at her girlfriend, caressing her cheek gently with one of her hands.

"We did it." Charlie corrected, turning back to Y/n and Sir Pentious, "Oh my gosh, you guys! I'm so..."

Charlie sniffled and Y/n laughed, her eyes soft with care.

"We love you too Charlie. We..."

She turned to Sera, catching the look the seraphim shot her that alerted them to their dwindling time.

"We don't have much time." Sir Pentious finished for Y/n, "We just wanted to let you all know. We had to let you all know. Cheri, my dear?"

Cheri's cheeks flushed pink as Angle elbowed her playfully.

"Uh, yeah?"

Pentious smiled.

"I hope to see you soon."

"Sure. Whatever." Cheri looked away and Husk laughed.

"We hope to see all of you soon." Y/n added and then her face fell.

She hadn't meant to sour the mood with the impossibility of her words. Vaggie put a comforting arm around Charlie and Y/n could have sworn she saw one of Alastor's ears twitch from where he stood at the back of the group.

Alastor had been the only one to say nothing to the pair so far. The portal was growing smaller and the only thing on Y/n's mind was letting everyone at the hotel who she knew she might never get the chance to see again know how grateful she was to have had the opportunity to know them.

Brow furrowed, eyes lightly panicked, she turned to Charlie.

"Charlie, I love you." she announced, tears beginning to pool in her eyes, "I am so grateful for you, for everything you've done. You're an incredible person and I... I'm going to miss you so much. Same with you Vaggie. You are the brightest pair of people of any sort I have ever met."

That was the last straw for Charlie. The demon Princess began to bawl and with Angel and Cheri's help, Vaggie lead her out of sight of the portal. Next, Y/n fixed her gaze on Husk.

"Husker, I don't know if... if you or Nifty even want... it doesn't matter." she took a deep breath, "You are both such incredible people, thank you for being my friends."

Husk smiled sadly at her as Nifty latched onto his leg, hugging it tightly as tears began to fall. Lastly, Y/n turned to look at Alastor.

Out of everyone at the hotel, she knew Alastor the least. They never spoke much and when they were in the same room together, he always seemed to be as far away from her as he could get. It was complicated and confusing, but Y/n still knew none of this would have been possible without his help. She took a deep breath.

"Alastor?"

His ears picked up at the sound of her voice saying his name. Warily, he turned to face her.

Ever since the portal had appeared, his brain had been a rushing mess of thought, his heart a caged bird, trapped in the confines of his chest. He had thought he had lost any hope, any chance. Things had suddenly become much more complicated.

"I know we were never close." Y/n began and his breath caught in his throat, "I just... none of this would have been possible without you. I know you have no interest in redemption and... I wish I had gotten to know you better. You're... even though I don't really know you all to well, I want you to know that I love you all the same."

It was the first time, the very first time, those words had ever been directed from her to him. It felt better than Alastor ever could have imagined.

"I love you too."

The words had left his mouth before he'd really been able to think them through. His cheeks flushed pink at the realization of what he had said, Y/n's eyes widened, her lips slightly parted.

It was strange. Maybe it was because he always avoided her, maybe it was because she thought he hated her. Maybe it was a billion different reasons why she had never considered the idea before but none of those things mattered because she heard his words now, considered them now. Y/n realized that maybe, just maybe, she wanted to love him back. Not platonically because maybe, just maybe, in this moment, all she wanted to do was reach through the portal and kiss him.

Those were thoughts to deal with later. She would have time later, she didn't now. The portal's closure became faster and Y/n sent a panicked look towards Sera and Emily. They were, however, unyielding in her silent plea and so she turned back to the quickly shrinking image of Alastor, Husk, and Nifty.

"I..." her voice trembled, "Fuck! Alastor, there's no time. I... fuck!"

There was so much she wanted to say, so many questions left unasked. Alastor, to her surprise, broke through her stressed mutterings, fueled by a sudden, wild courage. It was that human part of him, that one remaining spark of light.

"It's alright." he took a step closer, "You don't have to answer I just... I needed you to know. When Adam... when you died, the... nothing mattered anymore. I never thought I'd get the chance to say it, to tell you the truth. I had to, I had... I'm sorry."

"No! Alastor!" She yelled fiercely back at him, her eyes wild and determined as he loved them best, "Never apologize for loving someone. Never apologize for caring. I..."

The portal was almost shut now.

"Come find me!"

In a burst of golden light like phoenix fire, the portal vanished. Y/n was breathless, she turned to Pentious who was smiling brightly.

"He loves me."

He nodded and she giggled giddily.

"He loves me!"

As reality set in, the joy slipped from her face.

"And I'll probably never see him again."

----

Tags:

@willowshadenox @i-love-jafar @elfyeet @reader3 @lazygirlfanfic0-0@kahlan170@wendyphan01203-blog

[churchblogmatics-blog]

A DEFINITIVE but nonexhaustive list of theologians/Christian thinkers and associated brat status

Athanasius - literally impossible to imagine Christianity without his contributions, unquestionably brat

Augustine - smarter than all hell, the confessions is essential reading, his corpus is a succinct compendium of theological orthodoxy, you know he's brat

Anselm of Canterbury - satisfaction theory is actually more plausible to me than penal substitution, the ontological argument is pure lunacy but is the kind of magical thinking that I'm sad to see disappear once people started systematizing "logic" and "reason" after the enlightenment. Brat.

Thomas Aquinas - I'm kind of more inclined to platonism than aristotlianism but he's brat for this excerpt of the summa alone: “If some are occasionally begotten from demons, it is not from the seed of such demons, nor from their assumed bodies, but from the seed of men taken for the purpose; as when the demon assumes first the form of a woman, and afterward of a man.” In this case, the offspring would be fully human, “so that the person born is not the child of a demon but of a man” (ST I:51:3 ad 6)." Like c'mon that's so funny but also probably saved some childrens' lives if their parents didn't want to 'fess up to having an affair.

Thomas Á Kempis - I wish I could cultivate the humility of spirit he writes about in The Imitation of Christ! This guy knows what's up! Brat!

Martin Luther - Do you know how antisemitic you have to be in order to be remembered as antisemitic even if graded on a curve relative to his cultural context? Even his principled refusal to lean into double predestination despite it's logical coherence & consubstantiative view of the sacrament of the Eucharist won't save him from being pronounced decidedly un-brat.

John Calvin - way better than his devotees, more legitimate human compassionate distress at double predestination than the vastly inferior ulrich zwingli - brat.

Ulrich Zwingli - goes without saying - un-brat.

John Woolman - went hard in the paint to fight the transatlantic slave trade his whole life. Y'all could only DREAM of walking in humble submission before God in service of your fellow man like this. Brat.

Friedrich Schleiermacher - oh so Christianity is all about absolute dependence? That's what it is? Conjuring up feelings of absolute dependence? Get real! Not brat.

Soren Kierkegaard - Absolutely goated. Love to read a guy excoriating Christian nationalism. He's so brat for that.

Karl Barth - this page is called the Church Blogmatics so you already know what I'm thinking on this one. His doctrine of election makes me able to sleep at night and his understanding of theology as a living, breathing science makes me want to engage with it. Brat.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - the absolute height of liberal theology and redeems it as something potentially profitable imo - brat.

[esther-dot]

I have seen different takes of Sansan and how they react to the Hound abusing Sansa. Those who believe that Sansa deserves to be punished and marry Hound are actually Sansa antis. Some believe that what Hound was doing is teaching her life truth and because of him Sansa learns humility. Then there are fans who knew Sansa is a good girl and Hound did abuse her but they think Sansa could redeem him and he will be her knight. All of them are doing injustice to Sansa.

It is a great injustice to Sansa to downplay her fear and minimize the very real threat the Hound was.

Sansa hugged herself, suddenly cold. "Why are you always so hateful? I was thanking you . . ."

"Just as if I was one of those true knights you love so well, yes. What do you think a knight is for, girl? You think it's all taking favors from ladies and looking fine in gold plate? Knights are for killing." He laid the edge of his longsword against her neck, just under her ear. Sansa could feel the sharpness of the steel. "I killed my first man at twelve. I've lost count of how many I've killed since then. High lords with old names, fat rich men dressed in velvet, knights puffed up like bladders with their honors, yes, and women and children too—they're all meat, and I'm the butcher. Let them have their lands and their gods and their gold. Let them have their sers." Sandor Clegane spat at her feet to show what he thought of that. "So long as I have this," he said, lifting the sword from her throat, "there's no man on earth I need fear." (ACOK, Sansa IV)

Let’s not minimize what he’s doing here. He assures her, he kills women and children, while his sword is pressed against her skin. The Hound's casual violence, consistent threats, aren't erased just because he didn't want others to rape her. In the end, he attempted to do so himself which means all of these instances where he intimidated her need to be accepted as what they are—not rewritten as if he didn’t mean them. He did have that potential all along, and it’s a horrifying dynamic as a result.

I understand AUs change the dynamics and ages, but in canon, so much of the interaction is the Hound being cruel and terrifying Sansa, there is nothing enjoyable for me there. Also, it's a pattern that he saves her and then threatens her, so rewriting the assault as something else isn't a fair reading. We were told from the beginning he might protect her from other threats, but he was always a threat as well.

The silence went on and on, so long that she began to grow afraid once more, but she was afraid for him now, not for herself. She found his massive shoulder with her hand. "He was no true knight," she whispered to him.

The Hound threw back his head and roared. Sansa stumbled back, away from him, but he caught her arm. "No," he growled at her, "no, little bird, he was no true knight."

The rest of the way into the city, Sandor Clegane said not a word. He led her to where the carts were waiting, told a driver to take them back to the Red Keep, and climbed in after her. They rode in silence through the King's Gate and up torchlit city streets. He opened the postern door and led her into the castle, his burned face twitching and his eyes brooding, and he was one step behind her as they climbed the tower stairs. He took her safe all the way to the corridor outside her bedchamber.

"Thank you, my lord," Sansa said meekly.

The Hound caught her by the arm and leaned close. "The things I told you tonight," he said, his voice sounding even rougher than usual. "If you ever tell Joffrey … your sister, your father … any of them …"

"I won't," Sansa whispered. "I promise."

It was not enough. "If you ever tell anyone," he finished, "I'll kill you." (AGOT, Sansa II)

We do not need to allow Martin’s skill at getting us to see someone’s humanity erase what Sansa suffers at this man’s hands. Her pity doesn’t negate his threats.

[theprayerfulword]

July 1

Proverbs 2:8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of His saints.

Hebrews 13:5-6 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," 6 so that we confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid, what will man do to me?"

Psalm 7:1 O LORD my God, I take refuge in You; save and deliver me from all who pursue me,

Isaiah 43:1 The Lord says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine.”

Zechariah 9:16 The LORD their God will save them in that day, as the flock of His people. For they shall be like the jewels of a crown, lifted like a banner over His land—

Exodus 14:14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

May you never listen to the lies of the enemy, or accept his offers of peace, lest he entice you to leave the refuge of the Lord with a promise of worldly goods which last only until he comes to take you to his own land as slaves. 2 Kings 18

May you despise and scorn the enemy who comes against you with insults and defiance toward the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, and may you lift your praise to your King as the enemy flees in the face of your resistance. 2 Kings 19

May the Lord your God deliver you from the enemy's hand so that all the kingdoms of earth will know that the Lord alone is God. 2 Kings 19

May you seek out the Lord when the enemy makes his boast against you, and turn to God in humility and repentance as you stand on His word to receive the strength and wisdom to keep your focus on Him, never once answering the enemy's accusations or responding to his defiance. 2 Kings 19

May you take root below and bear fruit above in the zeal of the Lord Almighty, knowing that He will preserve you against all that the enemy will try to do, defending and saving you for His name's sake. 2 Kings 19

May you always desire and seek out the company and fellowship of fellow believers, members of the Body of Christ, for the Lord will strengthen and encourage, exhort and provoke to good works, each member by the ministry of the Word and the moving of the Spirit through each other member. Acts 21

My child, I am your help, your strength and your shield. Trust in Me, for I hear the voice of your supplication, and you are helped. Take refuge in Me, My dear one; trust not in the strength of man, which will come to an end, or in the power of princes and principalities, which will use you for their own purposes. Look and see, My querying one, and declare to Me if a single one of the good promises which I have promised to My people have failed to come to pass. Though you be brought low, yet have I saved you, leading you by a straight way to a city with foundations which I have designed and constructed, where I am the light, that you may dwell in Me, and I in you, and you shall sing for joy in the shadow of My wings. Depend on Me, My seeking one, for I shall set a guard over you that will not fail, but will keep your mind, your tongue, and your hands from the enemy. My Spirit will instruct you on how to bring a pleasing sacrifice to Me out of the meditations of your heart, the words of your mouth, and the deeds of your hands. I long to walk with you, My loving one, and share My heart with you. Do not hide, My trembling one, for My love covers you, and when I weed the garden of your heart, it is with tenderness and prudence in order to bring out the beauty that I see. Still your spirit, My precious one, and wait before Me that you may know that I am God.

May you feel no surprise at the troubles and fiery ordeals that come upon you, as though something unusual was occurring, for through much tribulation will you enter the kingdom of God as you take up your cross and follow Him, seeking for the will of the Lord to be done, which is the wisdom and counsel of God, and brings great joy and much rejoicing before His throne. Acts 21

May you sing to the Lord a new song of praise whenever the merciful gather together. Psalm 149

May you rejoice in your Maker and be glad in your King, praising His name with dancing and making music to Him. Psalm 149

May you rejoice in the honor the Lord shows you when He crowns your humility with victory. Psalm 149

May the praise of God be in your mouth and a double-edged sword in your hand as you are obedient in carrying out God's sentence written and pronounced against the principalities and powers of the air which set themselves against the will and ways of God, to inflict vengeance on His foes and punishment on His enemies, binding their kings with fetters and their princes with shackles of iron, casting down every vain thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ. Psalm 149

Though the words of a gossip are swallowed greedily by many, may you have an appetite for the living Word which was broken for you, for it will be health and strength to your heart. Proverbs 18:8

[hieromonkcharbel]

As we continue our reading of “On Watchfulness and Holiness”, Hesychios emphasizes the importance of prayer to Jesus in the spiritual battle; in particular, the Jesus Prayer.

“You will not find a greater help than Jesus in all your life, for He alone, as God, knows the deceitful ways of the demons, their subtlety and their guile.”

The Jesus prayer is at the heart of philokalic spirituality for the simple reason that Jesus must be there. It is through Him alone that we are redeemed and it through his presence alone that we can overcome the temptations of the demons and be healed of our passions. And so, Hesychios exhorts us:

“Let your soul . . . trust in Christ, let it call on Him and never fear; for it fights, not alone, but with the aid of a mighty King, Jesus Christ, Creator of all that is, both bodiless and embodied, visible and invisible.”

It is with utmost humility and trust that we call upon Christ as both the publican and blind man did in the gospel: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” And when we do this, we likewise seek to fulfill the biblical command to “pray without ceasing.” There is much to be said about this important prayer and we will come back to it repeatedly in future posts. However, Hesychios begins by telling us that the more we pray it, the more we call upon the name of Jesus, the greater our joy becomes and the more pliable our hearts become in order that they might once again be shaped and formed in accord with His will:

“The more the rain falls on the earth, the softer it makes it; similarly, Christ’s holy name gladdens the earth of our heart the more we call upon it.”

We find this echoed in the experiences of the Russian peasant in the spiritual classic “The Way of the Pilgrim” as he immersed himself more and more fully in the practice of the Jesus Prayer. He came to know the transforming joy and power of the name of Jesus and came to understand what it means to have the Kingdom of God within you:

“When I prayed in my heart, everything around me seemed delightful and marvelous. The trees, the grass, the birds, the air, the light seemed to be telling me that they existed for man’s sake, that they witnessed to the love of God for man, that all things prayed to God and sang his praise. . .The invocation of the Name of Jesus gladdened my way. Everybody was kind to me. If anyone harms me I have only to think, ‘How sweet is the Prayer of Jesus!’ and the injury and the anger alike pass away and I forget it all. . . Sometimes there was such a bubbling up in my heart and a lightness, a freedom, a joy so great that I was transformed and felt in ecstasy. Sometimes I felt a burning love for Jesus Christ and for the whole divine creation. Sometimes my tears flowed all on their own in thanksgiving to the Lord who had mercy on me, such a hardened sinner. Sometimes the sweet warmth of my heart spilled over into all my being, and I felt the presence of the Lord with great emotion. Sometimes, I felt a powerful and deep joy invoking the name of Jesus Christ, and I understood the meaning of his saying, ‘The Kingdom of God is within you’”(from the Way of the Pilgrim).

There is both power and presence in the name of Jesus, “the name that is above every name.” According to Anthony Coniaris, “the name of Jesus alone can fulfill the whole need of the one who prays when it is prayed with faith and with a life that is lived in obedience to Christ” (“Philokalia: the Bible of Orthodox Spirituality, 45).

It is for these reasons that Hesychios states so firmly:

“Those who lack experience should know that it is only through the unceasing watchfulness of our intellect (nous) and the constant invocation of Jesus Christ, . . that we, coarse and cloddish in mind and body as we are, can overcome our bodiless and invisible enemies . . .” (Philokalia, Vol 1, 169)

Through the constant invocation of Jesus Christ, Christ is present in the heart and so we are both strengthened and changed. Perhaps nowhere is this captured more beautifully than in the words of St. John Chrysostom where we are told that through the Jesus Prayer we find both victory in our spiritual battle and unity with our God:

“I implore you, brethren, never to break or despise the rule of this prayer: A Christian when he eats, drinks, walks, sits, travels or does any other thing must continually cry: ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.‘ So that the name of the Lord Jesus descending into the depths of the heart, should subdue the serpent ruling over the inner pastures and bring life and salvation to the soul. He should always live with the name of the Lord Jesus, so that the heart swallows the Lord and the Lord the heart, and the two become one. And again: do not estrange your heart from God, but abide in Him, and always guard your heart by remembering our Lord Jesus Christ, until the name of the Lord becomes rooted in the heart and it ceases to think anything else.”

One contemporary writer, Fr Theophanes from Kafsokalyvia, Holy Mount Athos, captures the beauty and power of this constant invocation similarly in his work “The Psychological Basis of Mental Prayer in the Heart.” Fr. Theophanes tells us that we can think of the Jesus Prayer iconographically:

“We might compare this repetitive play to a verbal icon which renders charismatically present him who is portrayed. This is the mental representation explained in the language of the theology of icons. Just as demonic mental representations pollute and disorient the person, so the mental representation of the name of Jesus together with all the mental representations which are introduced by the formula being used make joyous and gladden the heart. This has much to do with the person of Jesus. His name is his icon in the intellect of the person praying the Jesus Prayer. His name warms the soul by making Jesus himself present in the soul of the person praying, in the same way that an icon makes him present in that person’s home.”

Such thoughts make it clear that the Fathers and Hesychios are not simply describing a Christian kind of “mantra” in the Jesus Prayer but a great deal more; for while indeed such a prayer repeatedly places certain representations before the intellect and soul, it does so in the context of the faith and life of a Christian and the one invoked is God from God and Light from Light, true God from true God. Such an invocation brings about not only the deepest healing but through it we are transformed, as St. Paul says, from glory to glory until the two hearts become one; where the estrangement of sin passes away and only an abiding love remains.

[orthodoxadventure]

The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

Commemorated on March 25

Today is the beginning of our salvation, the revelation of the eternal mystery! The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin as Gabriel announces the coming of Grace. Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos: Hail, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with You!

The Feast of the Annunciation is one of the earliest Christian feasts, and was already being celebrated in the fourth century. There is a painting of the Annunciation in the catacomb of Priscilla in Rome dating from the second century. The Council of Toledo in 656 mentions the Feast, and the Council in Trullo in 692 says that the Annunciation was celebrated during Great Lent.

The Greek and Slavonic names for the Feast may be translated as “good tidings.” This, of course, refers to the Incarnation of the Son of God and the salvation He brings. The background of the Annunciation is found in the Gospel of Saint Luke (1:26-38). The troparion describes this as the “beginning of our salvation, and the revelation of the eternal mystery,” for on this day the Son of God became the Son of Man.

There are two main components to the Annunciation: the message itself, and the response of the Virgin. The message fulfills God’s promise to send a Redeemer (Genesis 3:15): “I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and her seed; he shall crush your head, and you shall lie in wait for his heel.” The Fathers of the Church understand “her seed” to refer to Christ. The prophets hinted at His coming, which they saw dimly, but the Archangel Gabriel now proclaims that the promise is about to be fulfilled.

We see this echoed in the Liturgy of Saint Basil, as well: “When man disobeyed Thee, the only true God who had created him, and was deceived by the guile of the serpent, becoming subject to death by his own transgressions, Thou, O God, in Thy righteous judgment, didst send him forth from Paradise into this world, returning him to the earth from which he was taken, yet providing for him the salvation of regeneration in Thy Christ Himself.”

The Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth in Galilee. There he spoke to the undefiled Virgin who was betrothed to Saint Joseph: “Hail, thou who art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

In contrast to Eve, who was readily deceived by the serpent, the Virgin did not immediately accept the Angel’s message. In her humility, she did not think she was deserving of such words, but was actually troubled by them. The fact that she asked for an explanation reveals her sobriety and prudence. She did not disbelieve the words of the angel, but could not understand how they would be fulfilled, for they spoke of something which was beyond nature.

Then said Mary unto the angel, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34).

“And the angel answered and said unto her, ‘The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: therefore also that which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ And Mary said, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.’ And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1: 35-38)

In his Sermon 23 on the day of the Annunciation, Saint Philaret of Moscow boldly stated that “the word of the creature brought the Creator down into the world.” He explains that salvation is not merely an act of God’s will, but also involves the Virgin’s free will. She could have refused, but she accepted God’s will and chose to cooperate without complaint or further questions.

The icon of the Feast shows the Archangel with a staff in his left hand, indicating his role as a messenger. Sometimes one wing is upraised, as if to show his swift descent from heaven. His right hand is stretched toward the holy Virgin as he delivers his message.

The Virgin is depicted either standing or sitting, usually holding yarn in her left hand. Sometimes she is shown holding a scroll. Her right hand may be raised to indicate her surprise at the message she is hearing. Her head is bowed, showing her consent and obedience. The descent of the Holy Spirit upon her is depicted by a ray of light issuing from a small sphere at the top of the icon, which symbolizes heaven. In a famous icon from Sinai, a white dove is shown in the ray of light.

There are several famous icons of the Annunciation. One is in the Moscow Kremlin in the church of the Annunciation. This icon appeared in connection with the rescue of a prisoner by the Mother of God during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. Another is to be found in the Dormition Cathedral in Moscow (July 8). It was originally located in Ustiug, and was the icon before which Saint Procopius the fool (July 8) prayed to save the city from destruction in 1290. One of the most highly revered icons in Greece is the Tinos icon of the Annunciation (January 30).

The Annunciation falls during Lent, but it is always celebrated with great joy. The Liturgy of Saint Basil or Saint John Chrysostom is served, even on the weekdays of Lent. It is one of the two days of Great Lent on which the fast is relaxed and fish is permitted (Palm Sunday is the other).

[Text from OCA]

O Victorious Leader of Triumphant Hosts! We, your servants, delivered from evil, sing our grateful thanks to you, O Theotokos! As you possess invincible might, set us free from every calamity so that we may sing: Hail, O unwedded Bride!

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

True Vine

by Andrew Murray

"No Longer Do I Call You Servants; for the Servant Knoweth Not What His Lord Doeth: But I Have Called You Friends; for All Things That I Heard From My Father, I Have Made Known Unto." – John 15:15

The highest proof of true friendship, and one great source of its blessedness, is the intimacy that holds nothing back, and admits the friend to share our inmost secrets. It is a blessed thing to be Christ’s servant; His redeemed ones delight to call themselves His slaves. Christ had often spoken of the disciples as His servants. In His great love our Lord now says: “No longer do I call you servants”; with the coming of the Holy Spirit a new era was to be inaugurated. “The servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth”—he has to obey without being consulted or admitted into the secret of all his master’s plans. “But, I have called you friends, for all things I heard from my Father I have made known unto you.” Christ’s friends share with Him in all the secrets the Father has entrusted to Him.

Let us think what this means. When Christ spoke of keeping His Father’s commandments, He did not mean merely what was written in Holy Scripture, but those special commandments which were communicated to Him day by day, and from hour to hour. It was of these He said: “The Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that he doeth, and he will show him greater things.” All that Christ did was God’s working. God showed it to Christ, so that He carried out the Father’s will and purpose, not, as man often does, blindly and unintelligently, but with full understanding and approval. As one who stood in God’s counsel, He knew God’s plan.

And this now is the blessedness of being Christ’s friends, that we do not, as servants, do His will without much spiritual insight into its meaning and aim, but are admitted, as an inner circle, into some knowledge of God’s more secret thoughts. From the Day of Pentecost on, by the Holy Spirit, Christ was to lead His disciples into the spiritual apprehension of the mysteries of the kingdom, of which He had hitherto spoken only by parables.

Friendship delights in fellowship. Friends hold council. Friends dare trust to each other what they would not for anything have others know. What is it that gives a Christian access to this holy intimacy with Jesus? That gives him the spiritual capacity for receiving the communications Christ has to make of what the Father has shown Him? “Ye are my friends if ye do what I command you.” It is loving obedience that purifies the soul. That refers not only to the commandments of the Word, but to that blessed application of the Word to our daily life, which none but our Lord Himself can give. But as these are waited for in dependence and humility, and faithfully obeyed, the soul becomes fitted for ever closer fellowship, and the daily life may become a continual experience: “I have called you friends; for all things I have heard from my Father, I have made known unto you.”

I have called you friends. What an unspeakable honor! What a heavenly privilege! O Saviour, speak the word with power into my soul: “I have called you My friend, whom I love, whom I trust, to whom I make known all that passes between my Father and Me.”

[theinvisiblemuseum]

imagine pandora and lily living in a cottage in the middle of the forest together picking berries in the morning and then making fluffy pancakes and lily accidentally says 'shit' and pandora cries because she's never heard lily curse before so lily bakes her a strawberry cake to apologise and they spend the rest of the day holding hands and finding bunnies in the clouds

pandora is elle fanning btw

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, strengthened by the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Blessed Michael the Archangel, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and all the Saints. and powerful in the holy authority of our ministry, we confidently undertake to repulse the attacks and deceits of the devil. God arises; His enemies are scattered and those who hate Him flee before Him. As smoke is driven away, so are they driven; as wax melts before the fire, so the wicked perish at the presence of God.

Behold the Cross of the Lord, flee bands of enemies. The Lion of the tribe of Juda, the offspring of David, hath conquered.

May Thy mercy, Lord, descend upon us. As great as our hope in Thee.

We drive you from us, whoever you may be, unclean spirits, all satanic powers, all infernal invaders, all wicked legions, assemblies and sects.

In the Name and by the power of Our Lord Jesus Christ, + may you be snatched away and driven from the Church of God and from the souls made to the image and likeness of God and redeemed by the Precious Blood of the Divine Lamb.

+ Most cunning serpent, you shall no more dare to deceive the human race, persecute the Church, torment God's elect and sift them as wheat.

+ The Most High God commands you, + He with whom, in your great insolence, you still claim to be equal.

"God who wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." [1 Tim. 2:4)

God the Father commands you. + God the Son commands you. + God the Holy Ghost commands you.

+ Christ, God's Word made flesh, commands you; + He who to save our race outdone through your envy, "humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death" [Phil. 2:8); He who has built His Church on the firm rock and declared that the gates of hell shall not prevail against Her, because He will dwell with Her "all days even to the end of the world." [Mt. 28:20]

The sacred Sign of the Cross commands you, + as does also the power of the mysteries of the Christian Faith.

+ The glorious Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, commands you; + she who by her humility and from the first moment of her Immaculate Conception crushed your proud head.

The faith of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and of the other Apostles commands you.

+ The blood of the Martyrs and the pious intercession of all the Saints command you. +

Thus, cursed dragon, and you, diabolical legions, we adjure you by the living God, + by the true God, + by the holy God, + by the God "who so loved the world that He gave up His only Son, that every soul believing in Him might not perish but have life everlasting;" [St.Jn. 3:16] stop deceiving human creatures and pouring out to them the poison of eternal damnation; stop harming the Church and hindering her liberty.

Begone, Satan, inventor and master of all deceit, enemy of man's salvation.

Give place to Christ in Whom you have found none of your works; give place to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church acquired by Christ at the price of His Blood.

Stoop beneath the all-powerful Hand of God; tremble and flee when we invoke the Holy and terrible Name of Jesus, this Name which causes hell to tremble, this Name to which the Virtues, Powers and Dominations of heaven are humbly submissive, this Name which the Cherubim and Seraphim praise unceasingly repeating: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord, the God of Hosts.

O Lord, hear my prayer. And let my cry come unto Thee.

May the Lord be with thee. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

God of heaven, God of earth, God of Angels, God of Archangels, God of Patriarchs, God of Prophets, God of Apostles, God of Martyrs, God of Confessors, God of Virgins, God who has power to give life after death and rest after work: because there is no other God than Thee and there can be no other, for Thou art the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, of Whose reign there shall be no end, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy glorious Majesty and we beseech Thee to deliver us by Thy power from all the tyranny of the infernal spirits, from their snares, their lies and their furious wickedness.

Deign, O Lord, to grant us Thy powerful protection and to keep us safe and sound. We beseech Thee through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

From the snares of the devil, Deliver us, O Lord. That Thy Church may serve Thee in peace and liberty: We beseech Thee to hear us. That Thou may crush down all enemies of Thy Church: We beseech Thee to hear us.

[calledtobethelight]

You Can Do Well (Part 2)

“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]?’ Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, ‘Do you [really] love Me [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend]?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep.’”

John 21.17 (AMP)

 

You can do well! But if you have not done well, there’s hope in Jesus Christ for redemption, reconciliation, and restoration. 2 Corinthians 5.17 states, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.” Your old life – your past mistakes, bad choices, guilt, and regrets – is gone. Your identity is not rooted in your old life and past mistakes, your identity is hidden in Christ Jesus (Colossians 3.3). You are a new person in Christ and you have a new life.

Peter, one of Jesus’s 12 disciples, did not do well. Peter denied knowing Jesus and disowned Him three times because he was afraid. Mark 14.71-72 states, “Then he commenced invoking a curse on himself [should he not be telling the truth] and swearing, I do not know the Man about Whom you are talking! And at once for the second time, a cock crowed. And Peter remembered how Jesus said to him, Before a cock crows twice, you will utterly deny Me [disclaiming all connection with Me] three times. And having put his thought upon it [and remembering], he broke down and wept aloud and lamented.”

Despite Peter’s momentous mistake, Jesus forgave him and restored him. Peter was justified in Christ Jesus – just as if it never happened. Romans 5.1 states, “Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).”

What needed to be addressed in Peter for him to be restored and to move forward in a victorious life with Christ? Here’s a deeper look at similar elements addressed in my former blog post, You Can Do Well (Part 1).

 

1.      Humility and Godly Sorrow

When Peter denied Jesus three times, he “wept bitterly [that is, with painfully moving grief]” over his sin (Luke 22.62). Peter’s grief was marked by godly sorrow because it led to his salvation in Christ Jesus. In contrast, Judas, who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, experienced worldly sorrow and only repented to man, not God for sinning against innocent blood and hanged himself (Matthew 27.3-5). 2 Corinthians 7.10 states, “For [godly] sorrow that is in accord with the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but worldly sorrow [the hopeless sorrow of those who do not believe] produces death.”  When you humble yourself and repent of your sins, you receive God’s salvation because you have hope and faith in Him. There is never any hopelessness with God.

1 John 1.9 states, “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].” God is faithful and true to His nature. When you come to Him with "a broken and contrite heart [broken with sorrow for sin, thoroughly penitent],” He will accept you and redeem you because He is merciful and gives grace to the humble (Psalm 51.17, James 4.6). He will forgive your sins and restore you to right standing with Him.

 

2.      Love the Lord and Obey His Commandments

When Jesus restored Peter, Jesus asked Peter three times about the sincerity of his love, and then following Peter’s affirmation gave a commandment for Peter to follow. The first and greatest commandment is “to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” but the sincerity of your love for God is proven by your obedience (Matthew 22.37).

John 14.21 states, “The person who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him [I will make Myself real to him].” Your love for God is the access point to your obedience, and your obedience to God’s commandments is the defining factor in your relationship with God and signifies if you know Him.

You cannot say you love God, and then take actions that contradict His Word or instruction concerning your life. 1 John 3.18 states, “Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words].” True love goes beyond words or speech. Love must be exemplified in our actions and sincerely put into practice out of what we believe in our hearts.

1 John 2.5 also states, “But whoever habitually keeps His word and obeys His precepts [and treasures His message in its entirety], in him the love of God has truly been perfected [it is completed and has reached maturity]. By this we know [for certain] that we are in Him.” Your obedience to God shows that His love has been perfected in you and you are united with Him. Love and obedience were vital to Peter’s restoration because they established his relationship and unity with Jesus Christ.

A true relationship with God cannot be absent of love for God or obedience to His Word and direction for your life. When you love God with all your heart, your love is put into action by faith and obedience to God’s commandments.

 

3.      Follow Jesus

Jesus told Peter to follow Him twice – the first time, He told Peter he must be willing to follow Him unto death, and, the second time, He told Peter to follow Him and not be distracted by comparing God's direction for Peter's life with other people.  John 21.21-22 states, “So when Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, ‘Lord, and what about this man [what is in his future]?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If I want him to stay alive until I come [again], what is that to you? You follow Me!’”

You are called to follow Jesus. You cannot look to your left or your right. You cannot compare what God has called you to do with what God has called others to do. You cannot shrink back in fear concerning anything you may endure. You must trust Him with all your heart and follow Him. Matthew 16.24-25 states, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity].’”

To follow Jesus, you must be willing to endure whatever may come, deny yourself, and keep your eyes fixed on Him. Hebrews 12.2 says, “Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” You must be an imitator of Christ. Jesus endured the cross and willingly laid down His life out of love for you and obedience to the Father (Ephesians 5.1-2).  You must be willing to take up your cross and follow Jesus because you love Him, trust Him, and are obedient to His Word. When you purpose in your heart to follow God above all else, you will not go astray, but you will desire to live following what God wills because you have the mind of Christ (1 Peter 4.1-2).

 

You can do well! God forgives, God restores, God redeems. There is never any hopelessness in Him. Have faith in God and believe He can turn your situation around when you come to Him. Humble yourself, love the Lord, obey His commandments, and follow Jesus – you will do well when you live your life wholly submitted unto Him.  

[templevirgin]

I’m gonna be honest, conforming myself to modesty has been really hard. For so long I was used to showing off my skin and my stomach or cleavage because I thought that’s what society wanted to see, or what a man wanted to see. But being in the Church has taught me new levels of humility and now my focus is on what God wants to see. Wearing modest clothing and covering my hair is about bringing forth my inner dignity and holiness, and realizing my body is not for everyone’s consumption.

There is a dignity we have within our bodies as women and a natural beauty that isn’t for everyone to see. Yet, this world encourages us to act, be, and dress immodestly. It applauds us when we do so and ignores us when we don’t; it says we’re only beautiful or “serving” when our breasts, butts, or stomachs are exposed, but when we cover up, we’re called boring or unlikeable. All this does is reduce our humanity and inner dignity. We become objects for the world’s consumption and not signs of God’s glory. It reduces our femininity down to our sexuality, which is not meant to be consumed but shared with one person in the union of marriage. Not the whole world.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

– Romans 12:1-2

There have been plenty of times I’ve wanted to rebel. Times where I didn’t want to cover my hair, times I wanted to wear my old shorter clothes, times I ask “why do I have to cover up, this is unfair”. But this is the flesh speaking. The devil wants us to separate our spirits from our bodies because ultimately, this denies that Christ came down to redeem both spirit and flesh. On the flip side, there are times where I don’t want to put on my veil, but do so anyway, and I feel grace wash over me. I feel humbled and yet hugged by the Holy Spirit. Like He’s comforting me and ensuring me this is the right thing to do. I remind myself that I’m striving for something greater and higher than what’s in this world. Conforming yourself to the Spirit really takes docility, humility, and openness. But the more you do it, the more He enlightens your mind with reason and gives you courage and strength to do the right things. When we pray to God for spiritual help we need, He will bestow His grace upon us and answer us.

[catholicreading]

The Prophecies and Revelations of Saint Bridget (Birgitta) of Sweden

Book 1

The words of our Lord Jesus Christ to His chosen and dearly beloved bride, Saint Bridget, about the proclamation of His most holy Incarnation and the rejection, desecration and abandonment of our faith and baptism, and how He bids His beloved bride and all Christian people to love Him.

Chapter 1

“I am the Creator of the heavens and the earth, one in Divinity with the Father and the Holy Spirit. I am the one who spoke to the patriarchs and the prophets and the one whom they awaited. For the sake of their longing and in agreement with my promise, I assumed flesh without sin and concupiscence, by entering the womb of the Virgin like the sun shining through the clearest gem. For just as the sun does not damage the glass by entering it, likewise the virginity of the Virgin was not lost when I assumed Manhood. I assumed flesh in such a way that I did not have to forsake my Divinity, and I was no less God - with the Father and the Holy Spirit, governing and upholding all things - although I was in the womb of the Virgin in my human nature. Just as brightness is never separated from fire, so too, my Divinity was never separated from my Humanity, not even in death.

Thereafter I allowed my pure and sinless body to be wounded from the foot to the head, and to be crucified for all the sins of mankind. That same body is now offered each day on the altar so that mankind might love me more and remember my great deeds more often. But now I am totally forgotten, neglected, despised, and expelled as a king is from his own kingdom and in whose place the most wicked robber has been elected and honored.

I have indeed wanted my kingdom to be within man, and by right I should be King and Lord over him, for I made him and redeemed him. However, now he has broken and desecrated the faith which he promised me in his baptism, and he has broken and spurned my laws and commandments which I prescribed and revealed to him. He loves his own will and refuses to hear me. In addition, he exalts the most wicked robber, the devil, above me and has given him his faith. The devil really is a robber, since he steals for himself, by way of evil temptations, bad councils, and false promises, the human soul that I redeemed with my blood. But he does not do this because he is mightier than me; for I am so mighty that I can do all things with a word, and so just, that even if all the saints asked me, I would not do the least thing against justice.

But, since man, who has been given free will, willfully rejects my commandments and obeys the devil, it is only right that he also experiences his tyranny and malice. This devil was created good by me, but fell by his own wicked will, and has become, so to speak, my servant for inflicting vengeance on the workers of evil.

Yet, even though I am now so despised, I am still so merciful that whoever prays for my mercy and humbles himself in amendment shall be forgiven his sins, and I shall save him from the evil robber - the devil. But to those who continue despising me, I shall visit my justice upon them, so that those hearing it will tremble, and those who feel it will say: “Woe, that we were ever conceived or born! Woe, that we ever provoked the Lord of majesty to wrath!”

But you, my daughter, whom I have chosen for myself, and with whom I now speak in spirit: love me with all your heart - not as you love your son or daughter or parents, but more than anything in the world - since I, who created you, did not spare any of my limbs in suffering for your sake! Yet, I love your soul so dearly that, rather than losing you, I would let myself be crucified again, if it were possible. Imitate my humility; for I, the King of glory and of angels, was clothed in ugly, wretched rags and stood naked at the pillar and heard all kinds of insults and ridicule with my own ears. Always prefer my will before your own, because my Mother, your Lady, has, from the beginning to the end, never wanted anything but what I wanted.

If you do this, then your heart shall be with my heart, and it will be inflamed by my love in the same way that anything dry becomes rapidly inflamed by fire. Your soul shall be so inflamed and filled with me, and I will be in you, so that everything worldly becomes bitter to you and all fleshly lusts like poison. You will rest in the arms of my Divinity, where no fleshly desires exist, but only spiritual delight and joy which fill the delighted soul with happiness - inwardly and outwardly - so that it thinks of nothing and desires nothing but the joy which it possesses. So love me alone, and you will have all the things you want, and you will have them in abundance. Is it not written that the oil of the widow did not decrease until the day the rain was sent to earth by God according to the words of the prophet? I am the true prophet! If you believe my words and follow and fulfill them, the oil - joy and jubilation - shall never decrease for you for all eternity.”

Read Ahead

[cheerfullycatholic]

Angelus, December 17th 2024

Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno!

Today, the Third Sunday of Advent, the Gospel speaks to us about John the Baptist’s mission (cf. Jn 1:6-8, 19-28), indicating that he is the prophet sent by God to “testify to the light” (v. 8). Let us reflect on this: to testify to the light.

Testimony. The Baptist is certainly an extraordinary man. The people flock to listen to him, attracted by his consistent and sincere way of being (cf. vv. 6-7). His testimony comes through his frank language, his honest behaviour, his austerity of life. All this makes him different from other famous and powerful people of that time, who, instead, invested a lot in appearances. People like him – upright, free and courageous – are luminous, fascinating figures: they motivate us to rise above mediocrity and to be in turn models of good living for others. In every age, the Lord sends men and women like this. Do we know how to recognize them? Do we try to learn from their witness, allowing ourselves to be challenged? Or rather, do we allow ourselves to be bedazzled by fashionable people? Then we get caught in artificial behaviour.

John instead is luminous insofar as he testifies to the light. But what is his light? He himself responds when he states clearly to the crowds who had flocked to hear him that he was not the light, that he was not the Messiah (cf. vv. 19-20). The light is Jesus, the Lamb of God, “God who saves”. Only He redeems, frees, heals and enlightens. This is why John is a “voice” who accompanies his brothers and sisters to the Word; he serves without seeking honours or the spotlight: he is a lamp, while the light is the living Christ (cf. vv. 26-27; Jn 5:35)

Brothers and sisters, the example of John the Baptist teaches us at least two things. First, that we cannot save ourselves alone: only in God do we find the light of life. And second, that each of us, through service, consistency, humility, witness of life – and always by God’s grace – can be a lamp that shines and helps others find the way on which to meet Jesus.

So, let us ask ourselves: In the places I live, how can I testify to the light, testify to Christ in the here and now this Christmas, not in the distant future?

May Mary, mirror of holiness, help us be men and women who reflect Jesus, the light who comes into the world.

[amourcratez]

Litany of St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Kyrie elejson, Christe elejson, Kyrie elejson.

Christ hear us, Christ hear us.

Heavenly Father God, have mercy on us.

Son, Redeemer of the world, God, have mercy on us.

Holy Spirit of God, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.

Holy Padre Pio,

Faithful to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit,

In love with the humility and poverty of Jesus Christ,

Zealous priest of Jesus Christ,

A faithful follower of St. Francis of Assisi,

Bearing in his body the marks of the Savior's passion,

Enjoying supernatural gifts,

Ornament of the Franciscan Order,

Bringing goodness and peace to the world,

A chosen vessel of holiness and grace,

Tireless in reconciling sinners with God,

Dread of hell spirits,

Winning hearts with the simplicity and power of the Word of God,

Teaching more by example than by words,

A model of love for God and neighbor,

Encountering Christ in every person,

Protector of the suffering,

Comfort of the unhappy,

Enduring humiliation with patience,

Courageous amidst adversity,

A model of Franciscan poverty,

A model of priestly purity,

Man of perfect obedience,

Lover of hidden life,

Man of prayer, concentration and contemplation,

Teacher of prayer of those who flock to Christ,

Our Mighty Advocate with God.

K. Pray for us, Saint Padre Pio.

R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: God, You made Saint Padre Pio lived in poverty and humility to become like Your Son, Jesus Christ; grant, we beg You, that by following the same path, with His help, we may imitate Your Son and unite with You in the fullness of joy and love. Amen. https://youtu.be/sJXcEU-mozQ?feature=shared

[childofchrist1983]

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. - Galatians 3:10-14 KJV

To remove the wrath of God for sinning and breaking His Commandments from us, Jesus Christ took our guilt upon Himself and suffered in our place. God cannot demand "double payment" for sin, so that He cannot justly condemn those whose sins were paid for in full on the cross. That is why there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

It is only Jesus and His precious, righteous blood that cleanses and saves us and takes away the sin debt of the world off everyone who confesses and believes on His holy name. We could not bear the punishment of our sin, nor endure the day of God's wrath against sin and we praise our Heavenly Father and our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ for His mercy and selfless sacrifice on the cross at Calvary where He redeemed us from the eternal damnation our sin brings, offering the free gift of salvation through His grace and the chance to live with Him forever in His Kingdom of Heaven in its place. All this out of pure love for us!

May He help us encourage one another as we continue our walk with Him and our duty to Him daily. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for being present for all our new beginnings and all our lives. May He redirect any anxiety we feel as He provides countless opportunities for growth and change. May we humble ourselves before God always, asking Him to forgive our sins and make our hearts and lives anew through His Holy Word and Spirit. May He help us make Him and His Holy Word top priority, so we can grow spiritually and grow in our relationship with Him as we apply it to our daily lives. Thank God that we can focus on Him and everything about Him, for that is what keeps us sane and at peace. May our words and actions always be a reflection of Him and His Holy Word and Spirit and will for all our lives.

Everyday, we must remember to thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for the grace that He poured out for us on the cross at Calvary. He has freed us from the burdens of sin and guilt. May He help us to always walk in His grace and Holy Spirit, not by our own measure. May He give us the humble humility to know that our freedom and eternal salvation is found only in Him, so that His grace may sustain us, and we may never lose sight of His love and light and mercy. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for calling us to Him and to serve Him. May He equip us to do all that He has called us to do so that as He works through us, He may use us to produce fruit, to reach others, and to encourage all brothers and sisters in Christ. May He work all of these things in us and through us for His Kingdom and His glory. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all His creation, for His miraculous ways and for everything He does and has done for us! Keep the faith and keep moving forward in your walk with Jesus! He loves us and He knows what is best for us. Seek, follow and trust in Him - Always!

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Word and for sending His Holy Spirit so that we might have His grace, not only to awaken us and transform our hearts in our spiritual rebirth and guarantee our eternity with Him, but to also call upon Him whenever we are in need. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all the reminders of His love and mercy and faithfulness within His Holy Word. He is bigger than any challenge or circumstance in our lives. Knowing this within our minds and our hearts, nothing can deter our faith in Him and His Truth. May we all accept Him and His eternal gift of salvation and ask that He would transform our hearts and lives according to His will and ways. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Spirit who saves, seals and leads us. May we always thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His almighty power and saving grace. For He is our strength, and He alone is able to save us, forgive our sins and gift us eternal salvation and entry into His Kingdom of Heaven.

May we make sure that we give our hearts and lives to God and take time to seek and praise Him and share His Truth with the world daily. May the LORD our God and Father in Heaven help us to stay diligent and obedient and help us to guard our hearts in Him and His Holy Word daily. May He help us to remain faithful and full of excitement to do our duty to Him and for His glorious return and our reunion in Heaven as well as all that awaits us there. May we never forget to thank the LORD our God and our Creator and Father in Heaven for all this and everything He does and has done for us! May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a mighty God we serve! What a Savior this is! What a wonderful LORD, God, Savior and King we have in Jesus Christ! What a loving Father we have found in Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!

[walkthroughtheword]

Reading for July 4th 

Ezekiel 2 

Oh to be humble and teachable! One of our favorite scriptures in Micah 6:8 is “He has shown you, oh man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you. That you shall do justice and love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” Walking humbly with God requires obedience. Our stubborn hearts would rather do it our way so it takes a great effort to allow humility to rule our hearts in following Christ. 

This is what we see Ezekiel doing in chapter 2. The Spirit of God told him to stand up and listen because God was about to speak. God specifically instructed him to go to a rebellious people and speak. A stubborn and hard hearted people. And he was instructed to go and not worry about the results; God said go whether they listen or refuse to listen. (v 5) He assured Ezekiel that they would know that they had a prophet among them. The results, no matter the cost, were not up to him. He was just to humbly obey. 

God is merciful to send messages to people even in their hardened state (oh how grateful we are that He does! We are saved by grace because God mercifully sent His word so that we could be redeemed!) We know that our hearts can be easily deceived and hardness can set in if we don’t guard our hearts to hear His truth. An offense here, a wrongdoing there, a wink at sin that grows into a gaze, worry, fears. These things can set us up to have a hard heart. God will send His word to soften our hearts and bring humility, but how great it is when we humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord?! (James 4:10) 

Being open to God’s Word and His direction is key in life! Being still and tuning into God’s Spirit speaking through His word is vital to being humble before Him. Verse 7 describes those who are “completely rebellious” as those who “won’t listen”. 

Ezekiel shows us that obedience through humbling ourselves is not always about us. He was being sent. There was a high price to pay, but there is no higher price than to be separated from Him if we don’t listen. Hard truth, but truth that will set and keep us free! 

May we have a heart like Samuel who, at a young age, learned to say to God, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)