The attack on marriage is really an attack on the human person, and his dignity, for the devil seeks to pervert our true purpose, to pervert God's holy design. For many of us, we cannot march in protests or write dozens of letters or call numerous times to urge legislators to vote for the Truth. But one thing we can all do is pray and fast. We have designated one day each week to fast for these intentions:

1. That marriage may be preserved, promoted, and understood as God's plan for creation.

2. For all marriages that they may reflect the love of the Trinity.

3. For broken marriages that Christ bring healing and conversion to the spouses' souls.

4. For those who are married, for the sanctification of their marriage and their spouse. For those who are single, for their future spouse and vocation.


Thursday, January 3, 2019

January 4th Fast

+
JMJ
"How happy would we be, if we believed what these dear souls believe: that they possess God in the Sacraments, and that He remains in their churches and is carried to them when they are sick! Oh my! When they carry the Blessed Sacrament under my window, while I feel the loneliness and sadness of my case, I cannot stop the tears at the thought. My God, how happy would I be. . . if I could find you in the Church as they do. . . how many things I would say to You in the sorrows of my heart and the sins of my life!"
 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton writing a few months before her conversion
The Gift of the most Holy Eucharist is the greatest and yet most neglected treasure that Christ has given us.  As He thirsted for souls from the cross, so He hungers for us from the tabernacle.  He pities the ignorant, who know nothing of this wondrous Sacrament, but is saddened by the informed, who believe in the Real Presence yet fail to drink from the "wellspring of salvation".

 The first Christians sacrificed life and limb to receive and defend their God; and now, is it so much to sacrifice sleep and convenience to receive the source of all life?  Is it a lack of faith which prevents so many from taking advantage of the daily banquet He sets before us? Or perhaps it is a deadening of desire.  Though not all can receive Him daily, due to the current circumstances of life, there are many that could and do not because the mantra of excuses drowns out the feeble voices of attempt.

But be heartened and encouraged! Christ yearns for us in this Sacrament of Love, both in the the Sacrifice of the Mass and Adoration.  He longs to shower souls with the graces necessary to live a holy life.  God will not be outdone in generosity; therefore, whatever we sacrifice in order to attend Holy Mass or keep Him company in Adoration, God will reward us many times over as pours out His abundant Life.  
"If, in the presence of this mystery, reason experiences its limits, the heart, enlightened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, clearly sees the response that is demanded, and bows low in adoration and unbounded love." (Ecclesia de Eucharistia)



Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)