Discovering Yourself

This was a quick read.  My Soul's Journey by Susan Berard-Goldberg is a true story of the author's experiences throughout her life. Sue talks about her intuitive feelings and her near-death experience or a paranormal experience.  Trying to figure out what was happening to her led her to study extrasensory perception, paranormal activity, and near-death experiences. She's got it whatever it is.  Is it a gift?  A blessing?

Her first experience was when she was engaged. She and her fiance were at a party and she had an astral projection.  It is hard to describe.  When you read the book you go through the event.

Another aspect of her life is how God has always guided her.  He puts people in her path, just when she needs them.  Deo Gratias!  She believes and she feels blessed.  This story is from the author's life from childhood.  Everyone can identify.



Publisher:

Covenant Books
1161 Hwy 707
MurrellsInlet, SC 29576

ISBN: 978-64559-459-8 (Paperback)
ISBN: 978-1-64559-460-4 (Digital)

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48237879-my-soul-s-journey?from_search=true&qid=eMw8os73RU&rank=2

Amazon:

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Covenant Books (September 4, 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1645594599
• ISBN-13: 978-1645594598
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.2 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: Be the first to review this item
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,540,801 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #96756 in Memoirs (Books)
  • #157872 in Christian Living (Books)

Renewing Friendships

Today in Writer's Group, Sue Berard-Goldberg came to give us a talk on her new book.  I'll write a review on it tomorrow.  What I wanted to tell you about was how she connected with us.  First, she's a "townie."  Many felt comfortable with her for that.  Next, many (surprisingly) of us also have had "out of body experiences," or "near-death experiences." Certainly, all of us have grieved over a loved one.  Her book details all of these events, so we lapped up her Talk.

I knew Sue, fifty years ago. Our husbands worked together.  And ever since then, I run into her here and or there.  Our oldest daughters were friends and classmates.  This is her second book.  Her first was A Pumpkin for Thanksgiving.

A Major Literacy Problem

It's not a technological problem, it's a  news literacy problem.  It's an information literacy problem, says Kalev Leetaru in his article for Forbes,

A Reminder That 'Fake News' Is An Information Literacy Problem - Not A Technology Problem.

I myself wonder when Facebook is going to fix its problems with hate speech, misleading pages, too many ads, etc.  Leetaru is correct when he said it's the readers' problem, not technology.

My mother tried to teach me that lesson seventy years ago, "Believe half of what your eyes see and none of what your ears hear."

The Jesuits and the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Now that I've digested Leo XIII, Annum Sacrum and Pius XII, Haurietis Aquas, I read the letter Pope Benedict XVI wrote on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the encyclical Haurietis Aquas. This letter reaffirms that this particular devotion hold importance in the lives of Christians. 

What interested me was that this letter was addressed to the Superior General of the Jesuits.  Why?  There are religious orders that arose to honor this particular devotion. The Fathers of the Sacred Heart, for one.  There are others.  Why was this letter addressed to the Jesuits?

After some google research, I learned that the Jesuits have been the historical custodians of the devotion to the Sacred Heart.  Also, in one of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque's visions, she mentions the Jesuits in particular, to spread the devotion.  Of course, Jesus' Sacred Heart is for all.

Today we need to draw closer to His Heart.  There are Divine treasures of grace bestowed on those who unite themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, come into our hearts!

Happy holy days

The Advent Wreath, With A Candle Marking Each Week Of The Season, Is A Traditional Symbol Of The Liturgical Period. (CNS Photo/Lisa A. Johnston, St. Louis Review)

Happy holy days: Is it my imagination, or has the Christmas shopping season (or “holiday shopping season”) extended itself by another few weeks?
What we used to call “Black Friday” sales, beginning the day after Thanksgiving carry on for days after.  For tips not to become overwhelmed and to stay focused on the 'reason for the season' click on the link for suggestions from Richard Doerflinger.

God' Perfect Timing

Lectio:
ROM 13:11-14

Brothers and sisters:
You know the time;
it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.
For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;
the night is advanced, the day is at hand.
Let us then throw off the works of darkness
and put on the armor of light;
let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day,
not in orgies and drunkenness,
not in promiscuity and lust,
not in rivalry and jealousy.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Studium:

Before this section in Romans, Paul was exhorting the Romans to abandon the surrounding culture and live like Christians, verses 11-14 urge the people to expect God's coming.  The day of God's wrath and judgement is coming. Paul refers to this when he says "the day of the Lord."  The people now have reason, immediate reason to act appropriately.
      "...put on the Lord Jesus Christ..." Paul is telling people to get baptized.  Don't follow the desires of the flesh for that is not where your future lies.

Meditatio:

Six years ago, my friend Omega and I pondered these passages. But we weren't looking at the literal meaning, we were wondering at the placement of them in that period of history.  Today we need to heed the same warnings.  Sins of the flesh are still prevalent. 
     Jesus had recently Ascended.  The disciples did expect Him to return soon.  And of course we're talking about God.  His timing would be perfect.  Hmmm. No one or most people couldn't read, so today we would think the coming of the Messiah was fake news.  There's so much of it. 
     I guess I just have to trust, that Jesus coming was perfect and His second coming will be also.

Oratio:

Everytime I dip my finders in holy water to bless myself, I pray, "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."  I recall my baptism.

Contemplatio:

Come Lord Jesus!

Resolutio:

During Advent, I will meditate each day on the coming of Jesus.

Haurietis Aquas

Haurietis Aquas is an encyclical that Pius XII wrote on the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  The title "haurietis auas" is Latin for "You will draw waters."  This encyclical explains all the water we can receive from the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Since prophecies in the Old Testament, the precious heart of God has given His children nourishment:

With joy you will draw water

at the fountain of salvation, 

and say on that day:

Give thanks to the Lord, 

acclaim His name;

among the nations make 

known His deeds,

proclaim how exalted

is His name.

Sing praise to the Lord

for His glorious achievement;

let this be known throughout 

all the earth.

Shout with exultation, O

city of Zion,

for great in your midst

is the Holy One of Israel.  Isaiah 12: 3-6

Pius XII goes through the history of Christianity, pointing out saints who called attention to Jesus' sacred heart.  For example, St. Augustine, St. Gertrude, and of course St. Margaret Mary Alocoque who had visions of the Sacred Heart and spoke to Jesus.
   It seems that some Masses were celebrated dedicated to the Sacred Heart, but in 1670 these masses were given episcopal approval.  These celebrations were popular in Poland, Austria, Spain, and France. Then in 1856, Pius IX made the Feast of the Sacred Heart obligatory for the whole Church.
    Haurietis Aquas was written on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Pope Pius IX, May 15, 1956.
     What the image of the Sacred Heart brings to my mind are expressions using the word "heart:" I give you my heart.  My heart belongs to you. Cross my heart and hope to die.  You broke my heart. Follow your heart.  From the bottom of my heart. Eat your heart out.  Have a change of heart. He's all heart. I'm baring my heart.  Bleeding hearts. Do your heart good. Faint of heart. Win their hearts and minds.  My heart skipped a beat. Lose heart. Sick at heart. Etc.
     And with the human preoccupation with human hearts, how much more so should we honor Jesus' Sacred Heart?