Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Father Patrick Peyton Quote

"The family that prays together stays together." "If families give Our Lady fifteen minutes a day by reciting the Rosary, I assure them that their homes will become, by God's grace, peaceful places." Father Patrick Peyton

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Sorrowful Mysteries-Enter by the Narrow Gate

Enter by the Narrow Gate:

As we meditate today on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, Jesus tells us to take up our cross daily and follow Him.

"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few." Matthew 7:13-14

Monday, November 28, 2011

On Solid Ground

On Solid Ground
"I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God."
Psalm 40:1-3

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Advent Begins 2011

Today is the 1st day of Advent, as we prepare for the Feast of Christmas. Let us try to pray at least 5 decades of the Rosary every day during Advent in preparation for a truly Blessed Christmas.

In the 6th month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Hail full of grace, the Lord is with you!" Luke 1:26-28

Thursday, November 24, 2011

We Give Thanks

Today we pray our Rosary as a prayer of Thanksgiving. We thank Jesus for saving us and for loving us and suffering for us on the Cross. We thank Him for allowing us to participate in Mass and for the gifts of the Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation and all of the seven Sacraments. We are thankful that anyone, who is sincere, can pray the Rosary, even if they are not Catholic.

We thank our Blessed Mother for being the Mother of Our Saviour, Jesus Christ and for being the Queen of Heaven and Earth and Our Mother. We are thankful to be able to meditate on the lives of Jesus and Mary through the Holy Rosary and Sacred Scripture and to follow their example in our own lives.

We are thankful for the many graces we have received and the many blessings in our lives. We are thankful for the strength and hope we have received to face the difficulties we find everday.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

The Crown of Thorns Today

As we meditate today on the 3rd Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary, The Crowning with Thorns, we pray for those who are today being persected, because they are Christians. Christ is still being crowned with sharp thorns today as Christians are being persecuted in violent ways in some places in the world.

Christ is also still being crowned with thorns and mocked today in secular societies, where even the mention of the name of Jesus is discouraged. Where the mention of the name of Christ, as in Christmas is avoided. Christmas trees are being called "Holiday" trees. Crucifixes and Crosses are targeted for removal from places where they have been for many years.

Yes, Christ and many Christians are crowned with thorns today in many ways. By remaining true to our faith and following Jesus, we will see the "Crown of Thorns" on earth become the "Crown of Glory" in heaven.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Feast of Christ the King

We have been preparing to receive Jesus in a very special and meaningful way today. On Thursday we prayed the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, on Friday the Sorrowful Mysteries and on Saturday the Joyful Mysteries in preparation to receive Jesus today on the Feast of Christ the King.

Let us pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary today, in Thanksgiving for the many gifts and graces, we have received. Let us pray the Rosary every day this week in Thanksgiving to Christ the King.

Friday, November 18, 2011

5th Sorrowful Mystery-The Crucifixion

The 5th Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary - The Crucifixion
Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last. Luke 23:46
For further meditation, please refer to Luke 23:33-49, Matthew 27:33-54, Mark 15:20-39, John 19:17-37

Thursday, November 17, 2011

The Eucharist

For everyone who prays at least 5 decades of the Rosary each day, Thursdays are the day for the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. As we meditate on the 5th Luminous Mystery, The Institution of the Eucharist, let us prepare in a special way for receiving Holy Communion this Sunday.

Some people are fortunate to be able to attend Mass more than once per week; but, many Catholics attend Mass on Sundays. Let us begin to prepare today, by praying the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary and let us continue to pray the Rosary every day. On Sunday we can pray the Glorious Mysteries as a prayer of thanksgiving for receiving the Eucharist.

If you are not Catholic you can pray the Rosary and welcome Jesus spiritually into your life every day and especially this Sunday.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Peace of Mind

One of the many benefits of praying the Rosary every day is "peace of mind". Meditating on the lives of Jesus and Our Blessed Mother through the Mysteries of the Rosary, we are able to discern what is important and what is not so important in our own lives. We realize that the things of this world are temporary and are not as important as eternal life with Jesus.

We may be surprised to find that our former reactions when dealing with a rude or negative person are completely gone and are replaced by a tremendous "Peace" that cannot be shaken. Rude and negative words and actions from others cannot reach where we live spiritually. The negativity can not touch us anymore and therefore has no power over us.

In fact, our reaction to certain situations even has a calming effect on others, so the rudeness and negativity is diminished in some cases. We realize that rudeness and negativity, while sometimes loud, shows weakness and that our "peace of mind" shows strength.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Attending Mass

According to the Gospel, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said, "Can you not spend one hour with me". It is so important that we spend an hour with Jesus at least once a week at Mass, in Church, if we are Catholic. Christians, who are not Catholic, should also spend at least an hour with Jesus, in prayer, at least once a week.

The 3rd Commandment is "Remember to keep holy the Sabbath". As Catholics it is our obligation to attend Mass on every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. To not attend is a sin, except under certain circumstances, such as sickness or other valid reasons. The Ten Commandments are not the ten suggestions or the ten options, they are Commandments.

If a Catholic has been missing Mass for no reason, and they want to start attending Mass again, they should go to Confession before receiving Holy Communion.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Spiritual Strength

Physical strength and health is important, it enables us to do our work and perform our mission in this life. Spiritual strength, Grace from God, is more important than physical strength; because, physical strength lasts only for a little while; but, spiritual strength lasts for all eternity.
Following the example of Christ's crucifixion, what in the eyes of the world at that time looked like a defeat, was in reality a great spiritual victory and death itself was conquered by Jesus on the Cross.
Spiritual strength or Grace from God is given to those who follow Jesus and live according to His word, offering up even their sufferings to God according to His will.
The handicapped, the sick, those who suffer from being lonely, those whose road in this world is very difficult can gain spiritual strength from God and it is they who are the strong ones.
As we meditate on the lives of Jesus and Our Blessed Mother through the Mysteries of the Rosary, we find that at the times of great difficulty in their lives, they followed the Will of God and by following their example, we can gain Spiritual Strength and Salvation.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

3rd Luminous Mystery-The Proclamation of the Kingdom

The 3rd Luminous Mystery of The Rosary - The Proclamation of The Kingdom of God, with His Call to Conversion.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."
Mark 1:14-15
For further meditation, please refer to Matthew chapters 4 through 7.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

3rd Glorious Mystery-The Descent of the Holy Spirit

The 3rd Glorious Mystery of the Rosary - The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles
And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterence. Acts 2:3-4
For further meditation, please refer to Acts(of the Apostles) 2:1-13

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

3rd Sorrowful Mystery-The Crowning With Thorns

The 3rd Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary - The Crowning with Thorns
Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"
Matthew 27:29
For further meditation, please refer to Matthew 27:28-31, Mark 15: 17-20

Monday, November 7, 2011

3rd Joyful Mystery-The Nativity

The 3rd Joyful Mystery of The Rosary - The Nativity
"And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." Luke 2:7
For further meditation please refer to Luke 2:1-20.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

The 2nd Glorious Mystery-The Ascension

The 2nd Glorious Mystery of The Rosary - The Ascension
So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. Mark 16:19
For further meditation, please refer to Luke 24:50-51, Acts(of the Apostles) 1:6-11

Saturday, November 5, 2011

2nd Joyful Mystery-The Visitation

The 2nd Joyful Mystery of the Rosary - The Visitation.
And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary,the babe leaped in her womb,and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry,"Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" Luke 1:41-42
For further meditation please refer to Luke 1:39-56

Friday, November 4, 2011

2nd Sorrowful Mystery-The Scourging

The 2nd Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary - The Scourging at the Pillar
Pilate released Barabbas to them. Jesus, however, he first had scouraged; then he handed him over to be crucified. Matthew 27:26
For further meditation please refer to John 19:1

Thursday, November 3, 2011

1st Luminous Mystery-His Baptism in the Jordan

The 1st Luminous Mystery of the Rosary - The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
Matthew 3:13
For further meditation please refer to Matthew 3:13-17

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

The 1st Glorious Mystery-The Resurrection

The 1st Glorious Mystery of the Rosary - The Resurrection
But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He has risen as He said." Matthew 28:5-6
For further meditation, please refer to Matthew 28:1-10, John 20:1-29, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

1st Sorrowful Mystery - The Agony in the Garden

The 1st Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary - The Agony in the Garden
And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground. Luke 22:44
For further meditation, please refer to Luke 22:39-53