WEEK NINE: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 5



WEEK NINE: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 5

MORNING (Evening) FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Prayer on Luke 17: 15-16; 19: The Cleansing of the Samaritan Leper: "And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan... Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you." [Please read Luke 17: 11-19 for a better appreciation of the passage].

Read the Reflection; then pray using Luke 17: 11-19; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

1. Realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan: It must have taken the Samaritan leper great courage and trust to come to Jesus, along with the nine other Jewish lepers. As a Samaritan, he was considered an outcast. Jesus was a Jew. Would Jesus turn him down? Owing to his degrading sickness, his misery was great indeed! But even greater was his faith and trust in Jesus. His healing produced in him the authentic results of repentance or conversion: He returned to glorify God, and falling at the feet of Jesus, thanked him!

2. Then he (Jesus) said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you": Jesus came to save us from our sin and offer us a share in God's divine life through Him. Having faith in Jesus, as the Samaritan did, is surrendering to Jesus as Savior and Lord. Jesus exercises His power within the context of faith, as He has come to bring us salvation from Satan, sin, and permanent death. His dismissal of the Samaritan is very moving: "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you." Taken from Mold me as Your Disciple. 

"Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?""  ‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:18‬  I was struck by Jesus who acknowledges He is God, the Samaritan recognized that only God could of done what He did and came back to offer his thanks.  Jesus is the great high priest, the Samaritan wasn't bound by the Jewish teachings, his world had been transformed by Jesus.  

What is God saying to you?

Dear Father, You came for all, not one particular group but all who will accept Your free gift of healing.  Your word gives us insight into Your divine life and reveals truth when we sit still and ponder.  I thank You for encouraging me to sit this evening and visit with You.  Watch over us this evening, give is a restful nights sleep and may we be prepared for tomorrow, I ask this in Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us 

St Joesph, Protector of the Family, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey. 

https://youtu.be/meLWVRzmJGc

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

WEEK NINE: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 4



WEEK NINE: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 4

MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:

Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Prayer on John 6: 4; 11-12; 14: Multiplication of the Loaves:  "The Jewish feast of Passover was near...Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted."...When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, "This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world." [Please read John 6: 1-15 for a better appreciation of the passage].

Read the Reflection; then pray using John 6: 1-15; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

This sign or miracle is found in all four gospels. This passage has Eucharistic overtones. Jesus performs this miracle close to the feast of Passover, thereby signifying a connection with it. The multitude was like the Israelites in the desert. They had no food and were famished. In the desert, God provided them with manna from heaven. In this sign, Jesus is the bread from heaven: "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst" (John 6: 35). Through this sign, Jesus is initiating a new Exodus and a new covenant. He makes that clear in the discourse on the Bread of Life that follows this sign. He offers us His life by giving us his body to eat, and his blood to drink. And this has been made possible through his sacrifice on the cross. In proclaiming Jesus as the Prophet who is to come into the world, the multitude saw that He was fulfilling the prophecy Moses made in Deuteronomy 18: 15: "A prophet like me will the LORD, your God, raise up for you from among your own kindred; that is the one to whom you shall listen."  Taken from Mold me as Your Disciple Lord from

www.godsembrace.org

"When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?"  John 6:5  God presents the problem, has that ever happened to you.  You and God see it coming and He lays it in your lap.  I am sure Philip got anxious for you can hear it in his reply.  "Philip answered him, "Six months' wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little."" ‭‭John‬ ‭6:7‬  And it was only a little!  Philip has not come to realize that there is no problem or situation that is beyond God's solution, it was Philip's lack of faith to see God at work.  

"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?"  John 6:9 Like every opportunity that presents itself, God already has the solution in place.  

When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost."" ‭‭John‬ ‭6: 12‬  God's vision, His plan, His outcome is bigger than ours.  The miracle of the fishes and loaves requires faith to comprehend, it requires a total trust in God to provide the bread that we need to satisfy us.  Logic can not make sense of this miracle for there is no logical explanation.  God is God and only He can give. 

What is God saying to you? The problems are a test, will you trust in Me totally for the solution.  Will you let My Son Jesus work His miracles and provide.  

Dear Father, I enjoy watching You at work, providing the solution before it is needed, tilling the ground ahead so the seed maybe planted.  Thank You God for always providing to our needs, thank You for increasing our faith and need to trust in You. Thank You for trusting us with the problems so our faith can be increased.  Prayers for a teenager rebelling against her parents and grandparents, bring peace to her soul and love before her eyes.  Prayers for love to prevail in all solutions with the challenges of daily life.  To God be the glory in all our needs, Amen. 

Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us. 

St Joesph Head of the Holy Family, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey. 

https://youtu.be/vG5O5TSIaE4

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

WEEK NINE: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 3



WEEK NINE: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 3

"MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:

Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

REPETITION OF DAYS ONE AND TWO:

Ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

Today, you are doing a repetition of Days One and Two of this week. In a repetition, St. Ignatius says that "we should pay attention to and dwell upon those points in which we have experienced greater consolation or desolation or greater spiritual appreciation" (# 62). If you wish, you can do a triple colloquy: refer to #63 of the Third Exercise of the First Week."

We hear about the miracles of healing of these two, we get to see the beginning of their journey with Christ.  We don't get to hear about how they followed Christ.  We don't get to here about their joys and pains as they move thru life, all we know is that they could see with clarity, there was Peace in their heart.  After you have encountered Jesus, He will always be there, in your heart, He transforms your world.  

What is God saying to you?  The encounter is only the beginning, and the transformation never ends until we are together again.  This desire is a holy desire.  

Dear Father, I thank You for the journey with all of its turns and bumps.  I thank You for the desire within that keeps me pushing forward.  I praise You as my King and Savior, continue on Lord till victory is ours.  Prayers for a holy morning, prayers for ardent disciples who are obedient to Your will.  Prayers for clarity in the path forward beyond tomorrow.  I ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen. 

Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Protector of Holy Church, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey. 

https://youtu.be/cGJNCvJ3TiM

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

WEEK NINE: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 2



WEEK NINE: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 2

MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:

Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Prayer on Mark 8: 22-25: A Blind Man at Bethsaida  "When they arrived at Bethsaida, they brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on him and asked, "Do you see anything?" Looking up he replied, "I see people looking like trees and walking." Then he laid hands on his eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly."

Read the Reflection; then pray using Mark 8: 22-25; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

The request of the onlookers on behalf of the blind man is moving: "(they) begged him to touch him." Jesus accedes to their request and takes the blind man outside the village. He decides to take a two-step approach rather than heal the blind man all at once. Jesus would only heal when He saw that the petitioner had faith. The blind man's faith is impeccable. He has no doubts or hesitation as Jesus takes this gradual approach to healing him. Jesus' disciples came gradually to understand and believe that Jesus was Messiah because He was Lord! You can ask for your own enlightenment concerning Jesus' identity and greater commitment to Him, as a consequence."

" He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village."  Trust, the blind man has just met Jesus, now he and Jesus are walking away from the village.  At first his steps are unsure, who is this taking me somewhere?  As they continue walking he learns to trust Him.  He has heard about Jesus but is unsure, Jesus rubs spittle in his eyes and he can see but not with clarity.  His faith increases as well as his trust of Jesus until the way forward is clear.  How many of us take the same journey with Jesus as He leads us.  Some of you know what I am speaking about because today you can see.  You see the miracles, you experience faith, you witness God in the same events that you were once blind too.  I was blind but now I see.  

What is God saying to you? Faith is a journey, at first the steps are unsure but with time grows trust and then love.  You are made in My image and likeness, you are My child, the child of The King.  Walk in faith.  

Dear Father, I love the journey with You, each day is a new adventure with growth of body, mind and soul.  I thank You for Your faithful witness walking in faith, bless his day Father with sight and clarity.  Lead this day Lord and I will follow, with increased love and faith.  Thank You for the Grace of Your Holy Catholic Church and all its teachings.  Prayers for someone, who's faith is being challenged, fortify the walls of his mind that he can see.  Bless this day and all its activities, in Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Most Faithful, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey

https://youtu.be/a4QF0ng5V6Y

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

WEEK NINE: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 1



WEEK NINE: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 1

MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:

Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Prayer on Mark 5: 3; 6-8; 10-13: The Healing of the Gerasene Demoniac: "The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain...Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!" (He had been saying to him, "Unclean spirit, come out of the man!")...And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory... And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine." [Please read Mark 5: 1-20].

Read the Reflection; then pray using Mark 5: 1-20; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

Jesus is in Gerasa which is in Gentile territory. That explains the presence of a large herd of swine. Most probably the man possessed with unclean spirits was a Gentile. He was dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him, not even with chains. In His ministry, Jesus is about destroying the power of Satan, overthrowing his dominion over people, and this man in particular. In the encounter between Jesus and the unclean spirits, they concede defeat because they know that Jesus is the Son of the Most High God. Jesus accedes to their request to inhabit the herd of swine rather than this man. As unclean animals, swine are a better dwelling place for them than humans. The change in the Gerasene man is amazing, eliciting a response of wanting to remain in Jesus' company: "the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him" (Mark 5: 18). Instead, Jesus sends him on a mission, asking him to witness to his family and friends: "Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you" (Mark 5: 19). The response of Jesus' listeners was typical of anyone witnessing a miracle. They were amazed.

"Unclean spirit come out of the man!"  Look

at the contrast between the man tormented by evil seeking Jesus, wanting Jesus and being healed by Jesus and the group living a comfortable life, not aware they needed Jesus and sending Jesus away.  Jesus knocked on their door, He came to their community and healed the demoniac that had been tormenting the community and they send Jesus away not recognizing their own need for saving.  Why would anyone do that?  Numb to sin, numb to their environment, they hadn't felt the pain yet.  Jesus in this story allowed each to make their own decisions and He honored their wishes.  Jesus does not force His way, He invites and then you decide.  

What is God saying to you?  

Dear Lord God, give us the grace to recognize the opportunity to encounter Your love when You offer the invitation.  I thank You for the mission fields that I have been sent too and the opportunities to share Your story of healing.  Lord, the comfort of this world is deceptive and deceives us into a false sense of security.  Pain as much as it hurts makes us aware of the reality of the situation and causes us to seek You out.  Prayers for a friend in the early stages of dementia at peace with life, prayers for another who just entered hospice for cancer.   You know how we are to be healed, Jesus, we trust in You, Amen.  

https://youtu.be/Dr0HGORnPOE

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

WEEK EIGHT: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 7



WEEK EIGHT: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 7

MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

REPETITION OF DAYS FOUR, FIVE AND SIX:
Ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

Today, you are doing a repetition of Days Four, Five, and Six of this week. In a repetition St. Ignatius says that "we should pay attention to and dwell upon those points in which we have experienced greater consolation or desolation or greater spiritual appreciation" (# 62). If you wish, you can do a triple colloquy: refer to #63 of the Third Exercise of the First Week.

Today was spent within the heart of God, seeing the need for healing and miracles.  Witnessing life come at us and how with Christ we can remain calm and without Him, we get agitated and blind to the passions of this world.  

What is God saying to you?  All will be well.  

Dear Father, as I gazed out of the window you brought me back to a simpler time in my life and showed me what is truly important.  I pray for that relationship to continue to grow and become deeper.  I pray for loved ones no longer here cheering us on to run the race.  I pray for the race today with its obstacles and hazards that seek to trip us up.  Help me maintain that vision of Your heart today as we go about the day.  I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

Mary, Mother of Love, Pray for us
St Joesph, Pray for us
Viva Cristo Rey

https://youtu.be/MpScEpriWZs

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

WEEK EIGHT: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 6



WEEK EIGHT: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 6

MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Prayer on John 9: 35-38: The Cure of the Blind Man:  "When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" He answered and said, "Who is he, sir that I may believe in him?" Jesus said to him, "You have seen him and the one speaking with you is he." He said, "I do believe, Lord," and he worshiped him."

Read the Reflection; then pray using John 9: 35-38; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

1. "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" All of John 9 is taken up with the cure and testimony of the man born blind from birth. Because of his passionate testimony of Jesus before the Sanhedrin, he was excommunicated from the temple and synagogue. Jesus meets the healed man and asks whether he accepts Jesus as the Son of Man. Son of Man was a title in Daniel 7: 13-14, that Jesus applied to himself as the Messiah.

2. "I do believe, Lord," and he worshiped him: The title 'Lord' was applied to Jesus after his resurrection when the disciples knew beyond any doubt that Jesus was God. In the New Testament writings they address Jesus as Lord because in light of their resurrection experience they saw that Jesus was God all along during His earthly ministry. The man, healed of his blindness, came to recognize Jesus as Savior and Lord, and his spontaneous gesture is to worship Jesus."

I do believe Lord. There are many interesting characters in this scene, the blind man that can see, who's heart open to God, has been healed.  He was looking for God and waiting upon the messiah.  His blindness was a gift for his mind was his vision, it hadn't been clouded by sight.  The Pharisees, hardened by their power and control, blind to the Messiah who was making His presence known to them.  There was no charity within them, only their own self interests, the other was of no concern of theirs.  In our daily interactions, how do we treat others, do we see it as an opportunity to witness Christ at work or are we so self absorbed that we are blind to God.  "You have seen him and the one speaking with you is he."  It is a gift to be able to close your eyes and listen to God.

What is God saying to you?  Did you get your answer?  Even though you are not always heard, you must continue to love in actions otherwise the heart will become hardened to the truth that maybe right in front of you.  

ACT OF CHARITY: O my God, I love you above all things with my whole heart and soul because you are all good and worthy of all my love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of you. I forgive all who have injured me and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen.  Harden not our hearts Lord and open our eyes to the reality of You in our presence, Amen. 

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us. 

Joesph, Most Prudent, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey. 

https://youtu.be/hHv35gKTK9M

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

WEEK EIGHT: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 5



WEEK EIGHT: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 5

MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:

Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Prayer on Mark 5: 30; 33-34: The Woman with a Hemorrhage:  "Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my clothes?"...The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.  He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."

Read the Reflection; then pray using Mark 5: 30-34; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth: An important dimension of Jesus' healings is that either he touched the sick persons when healing them, or they touched him. This intimate contact between Jesus and the ones he saved suggests that He is Emmanuel, God among us, who is Son of God and son of man. In His presence, this woman, who has been healed of her hemorrhage by touching Jesus, confessed the wonderful news of her healing even while she was afraid.

Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction: Repeatedly, Jesus makes the point that the faith of the seeker heals him or her. In her recognition and acceptance of Jesus as Savior and Lord, the woman is healed of her affliction and saved because she has come into a new life through her relationship with Jesus.

"And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, 'Who touched me?' Mark‬ ‭5:31‬  Jesus is looking for who touched Him and received sanctifying grace, Jesus experienced this as Son of Man.  The disciples were right, many were pressing in upon Him but only one received healing.  I pondered the woman, she had been living with the hemorrhaging for a long time, she had experienced much pain and grief for this.  It prevented her from going to the temple for she would have been unclean.  Yet she was a compassionate and caring woman, this sickness hadn't changed who she was.  She cared more for others than her self, she knew that the touch would make Jesus unclean according to the law but yet she knew Jesus to be the answer, she had to come forward and tell the truth, that who she is, a caring and compassionate woman who loved God more than self.   It is our faith in God and how we treat others that has the greatest benefits in our lives, receive His healing touch and come clean with God. 

What is God saying to you?  You have no need for words, only images.  

Dear Father, Your sanctifying Grace is all that we need, Your healing touch to cleanse our weary souls.  Thank You Father for the angels You place in our lives to experience Your glorious gift.  Prayers for a friend, much like the woman with the hemorrhage, may they experience the miracle of healing and be set free to give.  Thank You Father for the blessings of this past week, the words of encouragement and the sparks generated in battle, they all paint the picture.  Bless this day, may we keep it Holy in Your eyes, Amen. 

Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Help of the Sick, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey

https://youtu.be/Q6jD7N1HvbI

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

WEEK EIGHT: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 4



 WEEK EIGHT: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 4

MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:

Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Prayer on Mark 3: 10-11: The Compassion of Jesus:  "He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, "You are the Son of God."

Read the Reflection; then pray using Mark 3: 10-11; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

1. Those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him: This is amazing good news! The people with diseases had no hope as their sicknesses were the result of sin, in the theological understanding that they had. In Jesus, they saw others who had experienced healing of their illnesses, and therefore, salvation or being loved and forgiven by God. It was their chance to experience healing and salvation from Jesus. So they pressed upon him to touch him, convinced that He would be their healing and salvation. The image of Jesus being touched and pressed upon brings out the central truth that He is indeed Emmanuel, God-with-us!

2. Unclean spirits would fall down before him and shout, "You are the Son of God": It is ironic that the unclean spirits begin heralding the dawning of the kingdom of God in and through Jesus, by acknowledging Him as the Son of God! Before Jesus who is God, they are powerless, and their reign of terror and evil over the minds and hearts of people is now coming to an end, because Jesus, the Messiah and Son of God, has appeared on this earth."

"Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed."  ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53:4-5‬  I watched this morning as people were being drawn to Christ and the longing for healing. Jesus was there and it was their sin that He removes from them.  What is it about the physical nature of touch?  The desire within their hearts, knowing that Jesus is the answer to their afflictions.  I may not be in the scene physically but spiritually as Jesus was walking in the throng of people, I was there, reaching out for Him.  

What is God saying to you? 

Dear Father, I thank You for this day and all its joys and pains, hopeful no pain but willingly accept what comes.  I thank You for the desire in my heart to reach out to You, to experience Your loving touch.  I ask for Your help this morning as we move closer to the Men's conference, bring about what You desire for that day, bring Your plans together Lord God.  Prayers for Father Robert in the hospital, he is Your hands upon this earth, Your faithful servant, breath life into his lungs so he may continue being Your faithful servant in our midst.  I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.  

Mary, Queen of Victory, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Hope of the Sick, Pray for us.  

Viva Cristo Rey

https://youtu.be/Y8H5Nd78-tU

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

WEEK EIGHT: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 3



WEEK EIGHT: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 3

"MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

REPETITION OF DAYS ONE AND TWO
Ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

Today, you are doing a Repetition of Days One and Two of this week. In a repetition, St. Ignatius says that "we should pay attention to and dwell upon those points in which we have experienced greater consolation or desolation or greater spiritual appreciation" (# 62). If you wish, you can do a triple colloquy: refer to #63 of the Third Exercise of the First Week."

I spent time this morning experiencing the love of God in my heart as I walked with the demonic man and the paralytic man after they received the gift of grace.  Their world was transformed from being under the influence of the evil one to being set free to witness to love.  Our actions each day speak of this grace, you will know when Christ has transformed your life, there will be no head knowledge when this happens, it will be all heart knowledge.  A love that transforms your life and those that are around you.  

What is God saying to me:  "Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.""  ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:13‬

Dear Father, I thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit in my life, I thank You for life lessons in daily events and the opportunity to put into practice what I read.  Please forgive me when I fall short and become critical and judge mental of others, who don't think the way that I think.  I ask for prayers for a friend struggling with depression, I thank You for answered prayers for another with a weak heart, You make all things new again, You know her story and the mercy that they have demonstrated with their lives.  Bless this day Father, give us the gift of Your Holy Spirit each and every day of our lives as we travel towards eternity, may it be with You and no other.  I ask this in Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, Pray for us

St Joesph, Head of the Holy Family, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey

https://youtu.be/fWpvknKuYrg

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

WEEK EIGHT: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 2



WEEK EIGHT: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 2

"MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:

Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Prayer on Mark 2: 9-12: The Healing of a Paralytic:  "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat, and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth" – he said to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home." He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this." [Please read Mark 1: 1-12 for a better appreciation of the passage].

Read the Reflection; then pray using Mark 1: 1-12; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

1. Your sins are forgiven: Only God can forgive sin. If Jesus begins the encounter by first forgiving the paralytic his sins (Mark 2: 5), then he is suggesting that he is God, and therefore, also has the power to cure the man of his illness.

2. He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone: After Jesus forgives the man his sins, to the horrified disgust of his opponents, he then heals the paralytic of his illness. The man's gesture of rising, picking up his mat, and walking away in the sight of everyone, is an indescribable sight to behold!

3. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this": God's actions in Creation, and in miracles of healing, make it very clear that God is incomprehensible to our minds, and totally other-than what we can ever imagine. The spontaneous response on our part, therefore, is astonishment, amazement, gratitude and praise on our lips. As the crowd exclaimed, "We have never seen anything like this!"

The miracle of forgiveness of sin by God thru the Son of Man.  "But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth" Mark 2:10. There is a physical representation of sin being forgiven in our lives, the burden has been removed and you are free to move.  As a Catholic, I have experienced this after coming out of the confessional, there is a difference in my spirit.  I realize this is in contrast to the world and it stands in opposition to some.  As Son of Man, Jesus came to set us free, to be walking living miracles that we each are.  The evil one does the opposite, he betrays and weighs us down with sin.  Only God can forgive sin, it is Jesus who took this burden upon himself and buried it where it belonged so we may have life and have it more abundantly.  Miracles are happening every day around us, are we witnessing it and glorifying God with it. 

What is God saying to you?  Speak to the heart for the mind will get it wrong based upon what it has been consuming.  My Heart is never wrong. 

Dear Lord God, You stand in stark contrast to what the world proclaims, You speak truth into the world and reveal love in our midst.  I pray for the spiritual food we all need to satisfy our souls, I pray for living witnesses to Your glory here on earth.  I pray for a young man's healing who has a brain tumor and his family living this event, may it strengthen their resolve to serve You.  Thank You Father for answered prayers in a young ladies life, may we all experience Your love in some way or another.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Protector of Holy Church, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey

https://youtu.be/J9aZaOBy8Y8

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

WEEK EIGHT: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 1



WEEK EIGHT: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 1

"MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Prayer on Mark 1: 23-28: The Cure of a Demoniac:  "In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Quiet! Come out of him!" The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, "What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him."

Read the Reflection; then pray using Mark 1: 23-28; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

1. All were amazed: The amazement of the crowd suggests that they were witnessing something extraordinary! Sickness and possessions by demons were attributed to sin. Here is Jesus overcoming the unclean spirits, and therefore sin, clearly suggesting to them that he is from God! Hence their amazement!

2. A new teaching with authority: In the estimation of the crowd, Jesus is different. His teaching is superior to the teaching of the scribes and rabbis that they have heard in their synagogues. He has a new teaching, and he speaks with authority. Jesus is ushering in a new era. This exorcism is clearly a visible sign that God's reign is being firmly established through Jesus.

3. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him: Only God has authority over unclean spirits. We have authority over them in the Name of Jesus! If the unclean spirits obey Jesus and do as he says, then Jesus must be divine! The unclean spirit is quite aware that Jesus, the Holy One of God, has come to destroy the reign of Satan!" Taken from Mold me as Your Disciple by Michael Fonseca

Jesus was in the synagogue and so was the man who was demonic possessed.  Was the man there to be cured, was this his normal routine to go to the synagogue, was he keeping a seat warm?  I pondered his plight for awhile, when truth walked in, he was drawn to Him like a moth to light.   The authority within the man spoke out and Jesus spoke with the authority given Him by His Father.  "Quiet, come out of him!"  What was left for this man in the synagogue was clarity, he could once again think for himself for he has encountered Christ.  We give in to authority in our lives, if it of this world we give up our freedom, we give up our ability to think clearly and overtime our hearts grow cold.  If it is the authority given to Jesus we are given freedom, we are given clarity.  There is a difference in who we submit ourselves to, Jesus as Son of Man had submitted Himself to the authority of God.  My prayer this morning is that you have personally encountered Jesus, life is so much different when we have received Him in our lives.  

What is God saying to you? An ember doesn't go out as long as it is always in the fire, consistency is the secret.  

Dear Father, each day is a great teacher, there are lessons to be learned and You are the Great Teacher when we sit at Your feet to be loved.  I am blessed to have the blinders removed from my eyes and have been given the grace of Your Son Jesus.  I thank You for the miracles that are happening and the ones that are coming.  I thank You for the blessings that have yet to be revealed.  I pray for our country today that we can submit ourselves back to You and be under Your protection.  In Jesus name, Amen.  

Mary, Our Lady of Hope, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Hope of the Sick, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey 

https://youtu.be/L5hnwnBa9UE

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

WEEK SEVEN: PREPARATION AND THE CALL OF THE DISCIPLES - DAY 7



WEEK SEVEN: PREPARATION AND THE CALL OF THE DISCIPLES - DAY 7



MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:

Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

 

REPETITION OF DAYS FOUR, FIVE AND SIX:

Ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

Today, you are doing a repetition of Days Four, Five, and Six of this week. In a repetition, St. Ignatius says that "we should pay attention to and dwell upon those points in which we have experienced greater consolation or desolation or greater spiritual appreciation" (# 62). If you wish, you can do a triple colloquy: refer to #63 of the Third Exercise of the First Week.

Funny how I spent time with the word desolation this morning and a sense of nothingness.  Not every day in your prayer time will be filled with consolations so it made me wonder what is it that I am to take away from this period.  What is it within that God is rooting out, that is still yet to be revealed.  I spent time with the disciples father as he experienced the loss of his sons and their help.  I spent time with the sin that was pinned to the tax collectors and pondered that.  Life has ebbs and flows and God is always there even though you don't experience Him, is this the lesson He is wanting me to get, not everything has to have satisfaction.  

What is God saying to you?  Suffering is part of the journey, it is not always consolations that we experience there is also times of desolation on your walk.  Sin is prevalent in the world and in these periods examine yourself and seek the fruit that desolation will produce.  I am right here with you.  

Dear Father, as we walk this road together, there is still a peace that accompanies us.  Not everything is as I would like but it is still progress as we move forward.  I trust in Your divine will that what is beyond is good and will nurture my soul for Your glory.  I thank You for this day and it's graces received whether perceived or not.  Prayers for a family burying a son, prayers for another that Your will be done and the outcome is what You desire.  Bless this day Lord and our actions, in Jesus name, Amen.  

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us.

St Joesph, Glory of Home Life, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey

https://youtu.be/ApxDhN4hRGU

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

WEEK SEVEN: PREPARATION AND THE CALL OF THE DISCIPLES - DAY 6



WEEK SEVEN: PREPARATION AND THE CALL OF THE DISCIPLES - DAY 6

"MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:

Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Prayer on Matthew 9: 9-10: The Call of Matthew:  "As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples." [Please read Matthew 9: 9-13 for a better appreciation of the passage].

Read the Reflection; then pray using Matthew 9: 9-13; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

Tax collectors were despised by the Jewish community because they raised taxes from their own people for the Roman rulers. In the gospels, therefore, they are lumped together with sinners, as "tax collectors and sinners" (Matthew 9: 10; 11). Many of them extorted more than the required amount which they kept for themselves. Some tax collectors wanted to change their lives and become disciples of Jesus, such as Zacchaeus. Others, who were dishonest, came into contact with Jesus, and changed their ways once and for all. There are a number of instances where we are told that Jesus welcomed the company of tax collectors because He wanted to bring them the good news that salvation was possible through repentance and acceptance of Him as their Savior. Matthew was one of them, and Jesus called him to be His apostle. And after his choice, they expressed their gratitude and joy through a meal. It is not clear whether the meal was held in Jesus' home or Matthew's. The secret to changing a sinner's heart is compassionate love and hope. A sinner becomes capable of living and acting like a saint when his or her heart has been moved powerfully by God's love and compassion. Matthew was such a sinner become saint."

This morning, I just sat at the table and enjoyed the company of Jesus.  There was laughter and warmth in His presence.  

(Sometimes in our prayer life we experience dryness, it seems like there is nothing there. During these times we are not to back away but to engage deeper with prayer or fasting or maybe a penance.  I am in one of these times but I have been here before and easily recognize it.  Keep each other in prayer as you move closer to God, He is doing great things)

What is God saying to you?  This too shall pass, keep on course.  

Dear Lord, Bless this day and all it has to offer.  Amen.  

Mary, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Terror of Demons, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey. 

https://youtu.be/Okk_qmrGRv8

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

WEEK SEVEN: PREPARATION AND THE CALL OF THE DISCIPLES - DAY 4



 WEEK SEVEN: PREPARATION AND THE CALL OF THE DISCIPLES - DAY 4

"MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Prayer on Matthew 4: 18-22: The Call of the First Disciples:

"As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him."

Read the Reflection; then pray using Matthew 4: 18-22; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

In the case of both sets of brothers, their response to Jesus' invitation to become his disciples was prompt. Unhesitatingly, they left everything and followed Jesus, especially James and John, as their father Zebedee was with them. Their response to Jesus suggests a presence that is both dynamic and immensely attractrive. They leave everything to follow Jesus. Through a very concrete image, Jesus spells out what his mission for his first fishermen-disciples will be: "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." It is Jesus who will transform them and make them great missionaries. It is Jesus who will impart the Holy Spirit to them and they will indeed bring in a bountiful harvest for the kingdom of God!"

https://youtu.be/9VrQX3juFHQ

I contemplated the invitation this morning, Jesus walking with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  It is a long distance from the river Jordan to the Sea of Galilee, now Jesus comes upon these brothers.  The Spirit spoke to Him and He reaches out with a question.  What was it in His voice, in His body language that they left it all behind, it was the Holy Spirit, it was the Spirit of God that got their attention.  I wondered how their lives would have been different if they had just let Jesus walk on, if they had ignored the invitation.  Each day, God calls us to follow Him and each day we have the same choice as the Apostles.  Daily prayer and His gifts gives you sight, that request that He has offered leads to peace and a world filled with joy.  

Dear Father, I hear the call, I feel the gentle touch as You walk on to follow You.  I see the world that You see, their heads down busy doing things that does not bring about peace only fleeting moments of happiness.  Give me the strength to say Yes, to ignore the constant tangles of life and to do the will of the Father as You do as Son of Man.  Prayers for a friend dying of cancer and his family as they journey this road to eternity.  I ask this in Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Our Lady of the Good Event of the Purification, Pray for us.

St Joesph, Pillar of Families, Pray for us

Viva Cristo Rey 

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

WEEK SEVEN: PREPARATION AND THE CALL OF THE DISCIPLES - DAY 3



 WEEK SEVEN: PREPARATION AND THE CALL OF THE DISCIPLES - DAY 2

"MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

REPETITION OF DAYS ONE AND TWO
Ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

Today, you are doing a repetition of Days One and Two of this week. In a repetition St. Ignatius says that "we should pay attention to and dwell upon those points in which we have experienced greater consolation or desolation or greater spiritual appreciation" (# 62). If you wish, you can do a triple colloquy: refer to #63 of the Third Exercise of the First Week."

In my preparatory prayer, the prayer to the Holy Spirit, I was drawn to "leading me into God's heart".  And watching Jesus enter into the baptism in the Jordon with John, He died
to self, His life began a new in a way for it took on new meaning, this was the beginning of His public ministry.  So the life He knew before that formed who He was, was now going to be different.  "Or are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?"

‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:3‬ ‭ I also realized that with our Triune God there is no standing still in our faith.  We can not put our faith on the shelf and pick up where we left off at.  We are either being drawn into the heart of God by Christ or drawn away by the personification of evil with the choices we make.  Each day offers opportunities to grow closer to Christ by following His lead or away from Him by other choices.  Whom do I serve, is it God or self.  It is an interesting question we each must ask ourselves, your past decisions will be a good indicator of which way you are going.   

What is God saying to you?  You for a long period in your life served self and the god of this world.  Today you experience My heart and know what brings Me joy and what brings Me pain.  Be patient with others and love them where they are at, Jesus gave them hope for a better way.  

Dear Lord God, it is a blessed morning to wake to You and Your teaching.  It is a joy to watch life and life's choices in action, we can learn from our own mistakes and from the choices we make and those of others by watching.  Being lead into Your heart each day brings about peace and an awareness of what is going on around me.  I thank You Father for the continued daily lessons preparing me for the an eternal future with You.  I trust in Your Divine judgement and You being the keeper of my soul, I just need to follow.  Prayers for a friend doing mighty work, quietly and unassuming, thank You for his diligent efforts to engage others into loving You and Your people.  In Jesus name, Amen.  

Mary, Mother of the Word Incarnate, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Chaste Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey. 

https://youtu.be/wutmEjdbedE

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

WEEK SEVEN: PREPARATION AND THE CALL OF THE DISCIPLES - DAY 2



 WEEK SEVEN: PREPARATION AND THE CALL OF THE DISCIPLES - DAY 2

"MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:

Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Prayer on Matthew 4: 3-4; 5; 7; 9-11: The Temptation of Jesus:

"If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread."... "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God."... Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down..." Jesus answered him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'"... "All of these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me." At this, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan!" Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him."   [Please read Matthew 4: 1-11 for a better appreciation of the passage].

Read the Reflection; then pray using Matthew 4: 1-11; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

Jesus is on a mission: to redeem us by paying the price of our salvation. He takes upon himself our weaknesses and sin so that through Him we can be made free of sin and share in the divine life of the Trinity. It was the Lord's will to crush Him with pain so that He could become our reparation offering (Isaiah 53: 10). An important part of Jesus' mission, then, was to overcome Satan, the personification of evil and sin. In the temptations we witness the cosmic battle between Satan and Jesus. Both here and repeatedly, Jesus will emerge victorious because He is God, and therefore can be our Savior! We all struggle with the same temptations in our lives and succumb to them, unfortunately. With Jesus, however, we will be victorious. In the first temptation, Jesus refuses to exercise His power for His own benefit, and instead relies on trusting and doing God's will. In the second temptation, the devil quotes Psalm 91: 11-13, assuring Jesus that He has nothing to fear if He throws himself down from the parapet of the temple. But unlike Israel (Deuteronomy 6: 16: "You shall not put the LORD, your God, to the test, as you did at Massah"), Jesus will not test God by asking for an extraordinary show of strength. Lastly, Satan asks Jesus to worship him. This temptation recalls Israel's idolatry in the worship of the Golden Calf in Exodus 32. Jesus responds in the spirit of Deuteronomy 6: 13: "The LORD, your God, shall you fear; him shall you serve, and by his name shall you swear." He says, "Get away, Satan!" Jesus is indeed our Way, Truth, and Life!"

The seeds of doubt, do you notice how the devil approaches Jesus, he does it by testing His strength with the word "if".   And Jesus responds with strength, He responds with the Word of God.  As Son of Man, He knew how to combat the devil, for it is all written down for us to read and apply to our lives.  The devil still tempts man today, some are very subtle ways and some are direct as he did with Jesus.  

Jesus is our example for us to imitate, Jesus was prepared for this spiritual battle, spending time in prayer and fasting.   Quiet contemplation with the Word of God fortifies us, we are building our foundation upon the corner stone so when life come at us,  we are prepared with a strong foundation.  In these days we need it more than ever as we witness the battle rage in front of us. "Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the rock of my heart, my portion forever."

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73:26‬ ‭NABRE‬‬

What is God saying to you?  My Son is a living example of how to maintain focus and not become distracted by fleeting arrows.  

Dear Father, I see the enemy's tactics in clear site, using a rouse to get to our souls.  Prepare us each day to be strengthened for battle, some may not know we are at war but we are at war.  Prayer and fasting are our tools to fend off the attack, to continue to press forward to the prize and not become

a casualty of the battle field.  Thank You Father for another day with gained insight to serve You.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Our Lady of Victory, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Terror of Demons, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey

https://youtu.be/rUYf1Q6wAFY

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

WEEK SEVEN: PREPARATION AND THE CALL OF THE DISCIPLES Day 1



WEEK SEVEN: PREPARATION AND THE CALL OF THE DISCIPLES Day 1

"MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Prayer on Matthew 3: 14-17: The Baptism of Jesus:

"John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Read the Reflection; then pray using Matthew 3: 14-17; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

Jesus approaches John for the baptism of repentance. John tries to refuse Jesus' request by reminding him that it is he who is in need of repentance. John was much revered by the people as a great prophet and holy man. The Jewish leadership was even willing to consider him as the Messiah sent from God. Yet, in the presence of Jesus, John sees himself as unfit to loosen his sandal straps (Luke 3: 16). Only non-Jewish slaves were assigned the task of loosening the sandal straps of dinner guests before washing their feet. John sees himself as even lower than a non- Jewish slave in Jesus' presence. And yet Jesus humbles himself even lower than John by asking to receive the baptism of repentance. The Sinless One publicly identifies himself as sinner in our stead, as the baptism of repentance was received only by sinners. Jesus, being our kinsperson- redeemer, takes upon himself our burden of sin, and offers repentance and redemption through His own passion and death. His baptism is a sign of His eventual sacrifice on the cross, and a true emptying of Himself in His identification with us as sinners. Hence, as Paul says, we are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ." Taken from Mold me as Your Disciple by Michael Fonseca.

I contemplated the humanity of Jesus this morning, He being the new Adam, the undefiled Adam.  Sitting in the desert being tempted as man by the devil and denying sin to enter His life, not even entertaining the thought.  Then I watched as Jesus submitted Himself to the authority given to John the Baptist.  This authority comes from His Father in Heaven thru John the Baptist.  Jesus humbled himself as man and receives the gifts of the Holy Spirit, not as God but as man.  

Are we willing to submit ourselves to the authority of God?  I see the devil at play in twisting the truth, twisting the will of God thru man.  There is strength when we submit ourselves to God's authority.  Jesus could of very easily said, I do not need John the Baptist, God is my Father but He fulfills all righteousness and submits himself to he that was ordained from birth to do His Fathers will faithfully.  

What is God saying to you?

Dear Father, I offer myself to You this day, I thank You for the passion of Christ that strengthens me.  I pray for a friend who is in an incubator with Covid, prayers for his family Lord in all that is going on in their world.  Thank You Father for this day and all it has to offer, may I learn from it and serve You well.  Amen.  

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Faithful Servant, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Hope of the Sick, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey. 

https://youtu.be/S_dyPgvtUYE

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Week 6 - Entering into the Kenosis of Jesus Day 7



Week 6 - Entering into the Kenosis of Jesus Day 7

MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

APPLICATION OF THE SENSES: #121-126
Read the Reflection; then apply your senses to those points in the two repetitions where you experienced consolation or desolation, or greater spiritual appreciation. Ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

#121 tells us that this method of prayer "will consist in applying the five senses to the matter" at hand.

#122 asks you to see in imagination the persons, contemplating in detail their circumstances and then drawing some fruit from what has been seen.

#123 asks you to hear what they are saying or might say, and by reflecting on oneself to draw some profit.

#124 asks you to smell the infinite fragrance, and taste the infinite sweetness of the divinity present in the mystery being contemplated.

#125 asks you to apply the sense of touch, for example, by embracing and kissing the place where the persons stand or are seated.

#126 asks you to end with a colloquy."

I watched this morning the ebb and flow of family life, the good events and the events that challenge us.  God was always present in them and so was the Holy family, in fact their life revolved around God and Church.  The simplicity of seeking out truth and living a holy life.  I watched as Joesph, reassured Mary that everything would be ok, I seen Mary praying and asking God for help.  

God knows our lives intimately even if we don't have a relationship with Him.  He watches as we go through the challenges and waits to see us get the fruit that was meant for us.  All the events of our lives are there for a purpose, there are lessons for us to learn.  Joesph and Mary learned to trust God more and more as they experienced the ups and downs.  In your life what is God making new?  What crooked path is He making straight?

What is God saying to you?  "I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise."  ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:19-21‬

Dear Lord God, I see You at work in our lives, I see You doing a new thing and drawing us closer.  I see You mending relationship and resolving issues that cause separation.  I hear You speaking in the quiet of the morning.   Help us walk with You today and be filled with Your Holy Spirit, help us trust in Your Divine will as things are worked out.  Keep us from falling victim to the devil as his goal is to divide and conquer.  Prayers for the holy family as the grew together through the daily routine of life with its various events.  I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, Pray for us.
St Joesph, Most strong, Pray for us.
Viva Cristo Rey

https://youtu.be/VEpIrM_oYqk

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Week 6 - Entering into the Kenosis of Jesus Day 6



"Week 6 - Entering into the Kenosis of Jesus Day 6

MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

REPETITION OF DAYS FOUR AND FIVE:
Ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

Today, you are doing a repetition of Days Four and Five of this week. In a repetition St. Ignatius says that "we should pay attention to and dwell upon those points in which we have experienced greater consolation or desolation or greater spiritual appreciation" (# 62). If you wish, you can do a triple colloquy: refer to #63 of the Third Exercise of the First Week."  Taken from Mold me as Your Disciple. 

I watched this morning as Mary and Joesph's world got thrown into chaos, how what was once normal has been turned upside down.  They went from living in peace to feeling the anxiety of their present moment.  Fleeing into Egypt, finding out Jesus is no where to be found.  In all of this chaos there is one constant and that is God and His protection.  A life built upon God and His teachings brings about peace within the events of life.  Even though the norm had been changed, Mary and Joesph had to know that God was with them.  I find it ironic that Jesus is found in Church, sitting in the temple and as a people we have forgotten that.  

As our world continues to be disrupted and as truth is being distorted there is always the constant of God, sitting patiently waiting.   Jesus can always be found in His Fathers house so no matter what is going on in your world know that peace isn't far away if you go looking for Him.  

What is God saying to you? 

Dear Father, we begin another week with the unknown of tomorrow in that uncertain You are the constant in all of it.  In You I find solace and Your loving embrace, in these times Father, You are still constant, still can be found, still welcoming us in to sit in a peaceful world.  I thank You for this day and for what this week holds.  Prayers for a friend fighting Covid, energize his body and breath life into him.  Prayers for another who lost his fight, comfort his family as they go into uncharted waters with the knowledge that You are God and all will be well.  I ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus.  Amen.  

Mary, Our Lady of Victory, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Glory of Home Life, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristi Rey

https://youtu.be/Z32HiCoFzlU

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Week 6 - Entering into the Kenosis of Jesus Day 5



 Week 6 - Entering into the Kenosis of Jesus Day 5

"MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:

Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Prayer on Luke 2: 41-42; 48-49: The Boy Jesus in the Temple:

"Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom...After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers..."Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety." And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" [Please read Luke 2: 41-52 for a better appreciation of the passage].

Read the Reflection; then pray using Luke 2: 41-52; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

1. All who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers: When Jesus was twelve years old, the family had gone to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Passover. They did this every year. The child Jesus stayed behind, unknown to his parents who were on their journey home. While he was in the temple, "all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and his answers." During his public ministry, repeated mention is made of the fact that Jesus taught with authority unlike the teaching of the Scribes, causing astonishment and amazement.

2. "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety." And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" When his parents questioned Jesus upon finding him, they were astonished by his answer. This is one of several occasions when Jesus' divinity is hidden, and his answer seems perplexing to human logic. The darkness of this mystifying experience is ameliorated by the comment made in verse 51: "He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart." Mary's disposition was always to ponder God's ways rather than question them." Taken from Mold me as your Disciple by Michael Fonseca. 

I sat this morning watching the scene unfold while also having other thoughts pop into my head trying to distract the task at hand.  I asked for the help of the Holy Spirit to keep me focused.  I witnessed Mary and Joesph searching for Jesus, and not finding Him right away, not knowing where He was.  I watched Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit teach the teachers and help them understand truth so others could understand.  I also watch Jesus submit Himself to his parents and be obedient to them.  Mary stood out in this conversation as she helped Jesus become the man that He would be.  Mary continues to play a pivotal rule today in the Church as she did back then.  

What is God saying to you?  The value of obedience to authority in your life is important.  It shows your willingness to be humble and recognize those I have  placed within your life to guide you.  Jesus listened to His parents and My will for Him.  

Dear Father, I see life today and the challenge we have to submit ourselves to authority.  To submit ourselves to Your authority.  The people that are in our lives are there for a purpose, they all are created in Your image and likeness.  Help us discern Your will in these relationships, help us see beyond the challenges in some of the circumstances and teach us Lord to be obedient to Your voice.  Jesus never denied a You and I pray I may never either.  Prayers for a friend being challenged with life circumstances, may He witness to the love of God in his actions.  In Jesus name, Amen.  

Mary, Mother of Jesus, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey.  

https://youtu.be/rc9TR4vylxo

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Week 6 - Entering into the Kenosis of Jesus Day 4



Week 6 - Entering into the Kenosis of Jesus Day 4



MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:

Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Prayer on Matthew 2: 13-15: The Flight into Egypt:

"Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him. Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called my son."

Read the Reflection; then pray using Matthew 2: 13-15; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

1. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him. Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt: Joseph plays a key role in the early life of Jesus. Instructed by the angel, he takes Mary to be his wife and thus spares her an ignominious death. He is there to help Mary with the birth of Jesus, as together they deal with the obstacles and challenges of their circumstances. Once again, Joseph is visited by an angel who tells him to flee to Egypt. Both he and Mary are experiencing, bit by bit, the prophecy that Simeon had made: "and you yourself a sword will pierce."

2. "Out of Egypt I called my son": The Holy Family stayed in Egypt until the death of Herod who had ordered the slaughter of the innocent children two years and under. Matthew tells us that Jesus' return to Israel was in fulfillment of a prophecy made by Hosea 11: 1: "When Israel was a child I loved him, out of Egypt I called my son." For Hosea, Israel began its existence with the Exodus event when God entered into a covenant relationship with His people. Matthew is telling us that we are experiencing a new Exodus event in Jesus who will establish us in a new and everlasting covenant with God. Jesus is inaugurating the new Israel!

I prayed this morning with St Joesph and his role as father and protector.  He recognized his responsibility to watch over his family, his love for God is great.  Being a righteous man, his life was determined by God, these past several months for Joesph have been eye opening.  His prayer life has come to life through dreams and God's presence, his faith has continued to grow where now his total obedience is to God and the calling he has been given.  As a father myself I pondered my own life, being the protector and provider has always come natural, it was the righteous man that I struggled with when the kids were around.  That relationship with God was a part time one on Sundays.  As fathers we have the responsibility to protect our children from the evils of this world, this is done by our example more than our words.  Getting to the point to where God is the one you take direction from is the solution.  Herod is still seeking to ruin the Christ child in each of us, a life with Pray will help you guide and protect them.  

This is the year of St Joesph, ask him for intercessory prayers in your life and the lives of your children.  

What is God saying to you?  The evils of this world still exist but within the confines of your heart I will lead you.  In Egypt Joesph had nothing to fear for I was always with him.  They had need for nothing, in his humble surroundings there was all that he needed.  Be ready with prayer and our daily conversations.  

Dear Father, I can't see You but I sense You along with other things.  I know the road ahead is bumpy but You will lead us through with no worries.  I pray for those caught in an evil trap, allowing their minds to be controlled by world powers, break this bondage and turn their hearts to You.  Prayers for fathers this morning, help them see they are enough for You have called them for this roll, may our love of St Joesph grow this coming year. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Mother of Peace, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Protector of the Holy Family, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey. 

https://youtu.be/CHG6Ak5Jqkc

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Week 6 - Entering into the Kenosis of Jesus Day 3



Week 6 - Entering into the Kenosis of Jesus Day 3

MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:

Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit 

REPETITION OF DAYS ONE AND TWO:

Ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)

Today, you are doing a repetition of Days One and Two of this week. In a repetition St. Ignatius says that "we should pay attention to and dwell upon those points in which we have experienced greater consolation or desolation or greater spiritual appreciation" (# 62). If you wish, you can do a triple colloquy: refer to #63 of the Third Exercise of the First Week.

Do we relish the movements of life?  I sat this morning and visited with Mary, Jesus and God as we watched the Holy Family come to the temple.  I spoke with each of them and witnessed the simple pleasures of a Godly life.  A life with its challenges, their life's weren't easy but God was the purpose, Heaven was the goal.  We think of holiness as something for very pious people but in reality, a life with God at the center of it, doing His will quietly is a holy life.  The joy that Mary and Joesph experienced as they presented Jesus to His Father, the joy and admiration of Jesus as He gazed into the eyes of Simeon.   They knew each other's hearts, they had journeyed many roads together and Simeon being given the reward of Heaven for his faithfulness.  The Father looking down and watching the Holy Family enter their home, His home and build the faith, live their faith with Him, not outside of Him.  A holy life is within the confines of God's heart and His word.  I thank all the living saints who witness to our Father in simple ways.  

What is God saying to you? Do not fear the dark of night nor the arrow that flies by day, I Am with you and you are prepared.  The simple movements of life bring the greatest treasures, observe today from my viewpoint and respond with love.  See the evils of this world that some are trapped within, we will pray together for their release, go in Peace.  

Dear Father, once again You open the recesses of my heart and pour in Your love, I pray others are experiencing the joys of a life with You.  Thank You Father for being out front, controlling the outcome despite my self.  Prayers for friends on great endeavors with simple daily actions, their reward is great in Heaven.  May I take Your blessings to my day, help with a special situation that will require prayer and fasting, help us overcome ourselves so we may life holy lives, I ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen. 

Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Most Prudent, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey

https://youtu.be/cfLGfuINnG4

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b