We are Kingdom People

Drawing by MEK

My Lay Dominican Chapter is inside a men's prison.  Tonight was our study group.  We were discussing Matt. 5:39.  This is the turn the other cheek teaching.

But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

Personally, I was a little worried how the discussion would turn out; the make-up of the group being a bunch of alpha males.  And in their environment!  I thought they would think this teaching a sign of weakness.

They looked at this scripture verse as the ideal for Christians.  But they acknowledged that the worldly view was the exact opposite.

Some remembered stories about Martin Luther King's non violent protests.  The prevalent opinion was that one really had to be morally strong to keep Jesus' teaching in our secular world.  It is easier in a group, like the marchers with Martin Luther King.  But very, very hard when you're standing alone.

We have to follow Jesus' example.  We are kingdom subjects.  We have to live our identity.  Actually, we have to treat others the way God treats us.  

My Prayer Style

I was reading how Al Kresta prays.  He's the honcho of Ave Maria Radio.  I liked best how he didn't fret over not having a set schedule of devotional prayers.  His life makes a set schedule impossible.  I thing most of us can relate.

He is responding to a series, "How I Pray" on the blog Patheos: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/godandthemachine/2015/03/how-i-pray-al-kresta/

He does what he can, when he can.  I'll add that I think his perseverence is the best prayer.  He called it his prayer style.  You have to find your prayer style.  What others do probably won't fit no more than Saul's armor fit David.

My prayer style is a constant attempt to live and pray as a Lay Dominican.  I pray the Liturgy of the Hours and Rosary.  I do Lectio Divina and the Rosary.  I also am supposed to go to Daily Mass.  Conversely, when I worked, I did.  But now that I'm retired, I usually don't.  I feel guilty about it.  You see, when I worked I went to daily Mass before work--always.  However, now that I'm retired, I don't wake up early enough to go to Mass.  I would, definitely, if I could find a local noon Mass.  But I do try.

I also pray novenas, now and then, depending on circumstances.  All day, I pray the Jesus prayer.  I turn the common ejaculation, O My God, into a prayer, which is an easy thing to do since the ejaculation either calls for a prayer of praise or of despair.

Well!  I'm surprised my style is so devotional.  I didn't think that was me.  I was wrong.  I guess I'm pious and devotional and that's my style.

He Is Risen.

He is truly risen.  Happy Easter!  Today make your consecration.  Before or after Mass today, place yourself in front of the tabernacle and pray this consecration.

My Jesus, I love You with my whole heart.  I soemnly consecrate myself to You through Your Mother, Mary.  I surrender my entire life--everything to You, as my God and King.  Since Your Mother is so dear to You, I also offer her the highest veneration I can.  I ask her to intercede with You when I am unable.  May she bring me close to You.  May she guide me as she guided You.
I ask this of You My Lord and My God, according to Your Will.  Amen.

Don't think that because you have made this consecration, you will become a saint.  You have planted a seed.  You need to grow.  Please make use of the externals--read about Mary, pray through Mary, use prayer ejaculations, use holy water to bless yourself, wear the brown scapular, bless yourself going by a Catholic Church to recognize Jesus in the tabernacle, pray for your deceased loved ones, pray for all the dead as you pass a cemetery, go to frequent confession, wear the Miraculous Medal, wear a crucifix or cross, pray the Rosary, have pictures and statues of Mary and Jesus in your home.  Don't be ashamed to show your devotion and piety.  Think of Jesus' suffering naked on the cross.  How can you not devote yourself to Jesus for the rest of your life?  Mary will help you get to Jesus.  She will bring you to her Son.

Day Forty Consecration to Mary for the 21st Century / A Lenten Journey

                                                                    Day Forty of Lent

Holy Saturday

Prayers for this week, Days 35-40 in Lent:

Begin each day with "Mother Mary pray with us to your loving Son, that God's Will on earth be done."

Holy Saturday

First Meditation

Meditate upon this photo.

Second Meditation

Read and meditate upon this ancient homily:

Something strange is happening--there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness.  The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep.  The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began.  God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.

    He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep.  Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve.  The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory.  At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: "My Lord be with you all."  Christ answered him: "And with your spirit."  He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: "Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light."

     I am your God, who for your sake have become your son.  Out of love foryou and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, al who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise.  I order you, O sleeper, to awake.  I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell.  Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead.  Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image.  Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated.

    For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth.  For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead.  For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden and I was crucified in a garden.

    See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you.  See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image.  On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back.  See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.

    I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your sid.  My side has healed the pain in yours.  My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell.  The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.

     Rise, let us leve this place.  The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise.  I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven.  I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you.  I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God.  The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager.  The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the tresure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.

Third Meditation

Pray the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary.  (See Holy Thursday, Thirty-Eight Day of Lent.)

Now end the day with the prayer, " Where Mary is, there is her Son.  I love You, Jesus. Amen"

End your day with an examination of conscience--even in bed.

What good did I do today?

Where did I fail?

How can I do better?

Day Thirty-Nine Consecration to Mary for the 21st Century/A Lenten Journey

Good Friday

Drawing by MEK

                                                                     Day Thirty-Nine

Friday of Holy Week of Lent

Prayers for this week, Days 35-40 in Lent:

Begin each day with "Mother Mary pray with us to your loving Son, that God's Will on earth be done."

Good Friday

Day of Fasting

First Meditation

Hopefully you have made arrangements to take today off, or at least the hours from noon to three.  If you have, spend some time in church.  If not pray and specifically pray for these intentions:

For our sake our Redeemer suffered death and was buried, and rose again.  With heartfelt love let us adore Him and pray:     Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ our teacher, for our sake you were obedient even to  accepting death,

--teach us to obey the Father's will in all things.

Christ our life, by your death on the cross you destroyed the power of evil and death,

--may we die with you, to rise with you in glory.

Christ our King, you became an outcast among us, a worm and no man,

--teach us the humility by which you saved the world.

Christ our salvation, you gave yourself up to death out of love for us,

--help us to show your love to one another.

Christ our Savior, on the cross you embraced all time with your outstretched arms,

--unite God's scattere children in your kingdom of salvation.

Second Meditation

It was about nine in the morning when they nailed Jesus to the cross.  From noon until three o'clock there was darkness over the whole world.  At three o'clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice; my God, my God, why have You forsaken me.

Third Meditation

You are going to sleep without a pillow, tonight.  Think about why.

Now end the day with the prayer, " Where Mary is, there is her Son.  I love You, Jesus. Amen"

End your day with an examination of conscience--even in bed.

What good did I do today?

Where did I fail?

How can I do better?

Day Thirty-Eight Consecration to Mary for the 21st Century / a Lenten Journey

Day Thirty-Eight Consecration to Mary for the 21st Century/A Lenten Journey     

                                                                     Day Thirty-Eight

Holy Thursday

Prayers for this week, Days 35-40 in Lent:

Begin each day with "Mother Mary pray with us to your loving Son, that God's Will on earth be done."

First Meditation

and

Second Meditation

and

Third Meditation

Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary

(1)  Apostle's Creed, (2) Our Father, (3) three Hail Mary's and a (4) Glory be...
The Agony in the Garden(Intention: For the ability to do God's Will and to accept the cross)

(5) [ Recite 1 Our Father - 10 Hail Marys - 1 Glory be to the Father ]

My Jesus, You told Your Apostles many times that You looked forward to the final hour of Redemption, and yet as you foresaw the sufferings to come you shuddered with fear and anguish of soul.

You asked the Father to let this chalice pass and you received a refusal. My future looms before me at times, dear Jesus, and I tremble with fear and trepidation. I have implored the Father many times to grant me a favor or release me from a cross and His answer has often been "No."

Why should I question His Wisdom in my regard when He refused His Own Son because the good of mankind was at stake? Help me to do the Father's Will with Your generosity and to accept a negative reply with Your love.

It is the mental anguish and uncertainty that tears my soul apart and I often question His love for me.

Your example of resignation, acceptance and love makes me realize that the Father has my life in His hands and nothing happens to me that is not for my good.

Give me the confidence to ask for what I think I need, the humility to wait for His Will, and the faith to accept a refusal. Let my suffering be Redemptive, let my will be one with God's and my life a sacrifice of love.

Second Sorrowful Mystery: 
The Scourging at the Pillar(Intention: To overcome the weaknesses that strip us of grace and lead us to unfaithfulness)

[ Recite 1 Our Father - 10 Hail Marys - 1 Glory be to the Father ]

The pain of this suffering often escapes me, dear Jesus, I forget that this incident was not only painful but humiliating. Each stroke of the whip made you wince with pain and the gaze of the onlookers made You feel like "a worm and no man."

Were You thinking of us today as we travel the road of immorality, dope, alcohol and unfaithfulness? Did Your divine eyes see the immodesty, perversion, and fornication through the centuries?

Did the thought of how easily men strip themselves of grace for gross pleasure give You the courage to receive one more blow of the lash, one more wound and one more sneer?

Did the the tears of unrequited love stream down Your cheeks as You saw so many laughingly going to perdition?

Surely, my Jesus, this scourging made reparation for more than the sins of the flesh. Were the welts that began to bleed suffered for
those who tear off the garments of love and clothe themselves in the rags of dissension and disobedience?

Was not one lash marked, "Rudeness" and another "Hate"? And when the scourging finally ended, did Your eyes see some Blood trickling
down and stepped upon as if in derision?

We are sorry, dear Jesus. Cover us all with this Precious Blood and heal our many wounds. Let modesty and purity be our goal and harmony our motto.

Third Sorrowful Mystery: 
The Crowning with Thorns(Intention: To overcome pride, worry and resentments, and for an increase in faith)

[ Recite 1 Our Father - 10 Hail Marys - 1 Glory be to the Father ]

My Jesus, I often think my portion of the cross is more than I can bear. It seems to me that I am the recipient of superfluous suffering. My thoughts are empty of reasoning and my heart is cold. If I remembered that You were crowned with thorns after You were scourged, I would be silent in the Presence of Divine Wisdom.

My pride, stubbornness and lack of faith tagged each thorn as it pierced Your Sacred Head. My desire for the glory of this world to the exclusion of spiritual realities tightened the branches around Your Head.

My lack of confidence in Your Mercy and the lukewarmness of my love braided this instrument of torture into a wreath of unspeakable pain.

Were the tiny thorns that pricked Your Head the worries I permit to choke Your Word from my mind? Were the resentments I cherish in my
memory the reed that struck Your Head? And when the spittle randown Your Face, did my arrogance make You cry?

Oh, Jesus, let me never forget Your love for me and the reparation You offered the Father for my sake. Let my soul magnify the Lord by humility of heart, purity of mind, and a gentle spirit.

Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: 
The Carrying of the Cross(Intention: To obtain courage in sickness and sorrow)

[ Recite 1 Our Father - 10 Hail Marys - 1 Glory be to the Father ]

You loved me enough, dear Jesus, to take upon Your bleeding shoulders the wood of Your Cross. My love for You is wanting for I find physical pain difficult to bear, sorrow oppressive and tragedies cruel.

You have asked that I take whatever the Father permits in my life and follow in Your footsteps, and yet I often think the Cross was meant only for You and not for me.

I thought Redemption meant freedom from pain, but I know now, as I see this heavy beam on Your back, that Your Redeeming Cross gave value to my pain. Your footsteps in the coarse ground cushioned the path for my feet. Your Cross cut a ridge in the earth for my cross to rest in.Your Presence cleared the air of hopelessness and showed me the way. Your acceptance took away the curse and bestowed a blessing.

Help me, my Jesus, to carry my cross with joy, ever keeping my eyes on the Father's Will. Grant that I may not waste time deciding which cross comes from You and which comes from my neighbor. Let me accept all from You, realizing that some crosses correct me, some release me, some prevent me from a life of sin, others are redemptive, and still others lead to repentance.

May our cross be one cross, dear Jesus, that together we may glorify the Father and save souls.

Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: 
The Crucifixion(Intention: To forgive and love unselfishly)

[ Recite 1 Our Father - 10 Hail Marys - 1 Glory be to the Father ]

You gave Your life for me when I was a sinner. You loved me, dear Jesus, before I saw the light of day or felt the gentle breeze upon my cheek.

You have suffered and died for me, hounded and pursued me, inspired and drawn me. Your love is totally unselfish, and though I rejoice that I am the recipient of such love, I cannot love unselfishly in return.

You forgave Your enemies and looked away as Your friends deserted You. Is it not strange, dear Jesus, that I still find forgiveness hard and mercy impossible? What is lacking in my life that makes forgiving my neighbor difficult? Is the fact that I cannot forgive myself a factor in my lack of mercy towards others?

Help me, Jesus, to see Your loving gaze as it looked up to the Father with abandonment, at the thief with mercy, and at Your Mother with love.

Grant that I may forgive my enemies and abandon myself to the Father's Will. Let me commend my life and my eternity to His care. Let zeal for the salvation of souls make my soul thirst for sacrifice and let the thought of paradise enlighten my path.

Give me the grace to persevere to the end, and when the journey is over and I have fought the good fight, let the Angels sing the last verse of my earthly song: "It is finished."

Pray Hail Holy Queen.

Now end the day with the prayer, " Where Mary is, there is her Son.  I love You, Jesus. Amen"

End your day with an examination of conscience--even in bed.

What good did I do today?

Where did I fail?

How can I do better?

Day Thirty-Seven Consecration to Mary for the 21st Century / A Lenten Journey

Day Thirty-Seven Consecration to Mary for the 21st Century/A Lenten Journey     

                                                                     Day Thirty-Seven

Wednesday of Holy Week of Lent

Prayers for this week, Days 35-40 in Lent:

Begin each day with "Mother Mary pray with us to your loving Son, that God's Will on earth be done."

First Meditation

Look at this picture.  What do you think is going on here?  Meditate upon what you imagine.

Second Meditation

This picture was painted by a Dominican Friar in 1450; he is known as Fra Angelico. Fra is colloquial for friar and since he painted like an angel, he was called Fra Angelico. The painting itself is called the Mocking of Christ. Jesus is seated on a raised dais and red box, meant to mock a king's throne.  Green curtains usually meant the figure was in glory and used as a backdrop in this painting highlights Christ as the central figure.  Jesus is blindfolded as he was when taunted by the high priest, but we viewers can see that Jesus' eyes are closed in humiliation.  Jesus holds a reed instead of a scepter, and a stone in place of an orb.  Disembodied hands slap Him and a scorner spits in His Holy Face.  But take heart.  Jesus' white robe and the cross of the

Resurrection in His halo promise us that He will triumph no matter how abased He may seem at this moment.

     But there is more to the painting.  Just as you are gazing upon the picture, so are Mary, His Mother, and Saint Dominic.  Mary can't bear to look.  She is suffering also.  St. Dominic, who of course, wasn't physically present when Jesus suffered, can only read, study, and meditate, like us.  St. Dominic, however, founds an Order of Prechers, who go out into the world, and bring the story of Jesus--the good News.  Remember that Fra Angelico is one of Saint Dominic's sons and is preaching through his art.

     The beauty of the scene lies in Jesus.  All around Jesus are images abstracted in their disembodiment.  Fra Angelico makes your eyes travel through a curve of space to return to the middle--Jesus.  Is this not what you see?  Is this not how you contemplate -- finally settling down to the center--Jesus?

Third Meditation

Meditate upon how fast the world turns.  Sunday, Jesus was greeted with a parade of honor.  Friday the people will be shouting, "Crucify Him!"  How quickly can circumstances change -- not only material wealth can be lost, but so can reputations, loves, lives, all are fleeting.  Pray asking Mary that no matter what becomes of you that she keep you close to Jesus, for that's all that matters.  Everything can be taken away from you, but not your faith.

Now end the day with the prayer, " Where Mary is, there is her Son.  I love You, Jesus. Amen"

End your day with an examination of conscience--even in bed.

What good did I do today?

Where did I fail?

How can I do better?