Engaging the Lordship of Jesus
 
In the Homily, it sites a scientific study that says that we are moved when we hear a story read aloud.

Not when we read privately. But when we hear a reading, read aloud with others in our presence, our hearts become impacted.

In the Gospel today, Our Lord speaks of the day in the future, in which He will return again. On that day, the Lord will place all things in order intended by God. The Lord, who knows our hearts, gives us some very important instructions within this Gospel.

When the day comes, these will be the signs. The audio goes on and discusses this in detail. When the day comes, you will not miss it or confuse it with any other! The implication is for us not to confuse every storm or conflict between nations as the sign of His coming! You will know it when the day arrives! When it comes, it will impact everyone. Everyone will recognize it at once!

Why is this important? The Christian heart is fascinated with predicting the end. When we fall into this trap, we lose the beauty of the present moment by worrying about tomorrow. Jesus does not want us to be caught up in this fascination. He wants us to get ready for His Coming!

How does Jesus wants us to get ready? It is by asking about the real condition of my heart! When He returns, will He find us looking (and waiting) for Him? Or will we be busy about other things?

Hear more about Engaging the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Listen to preparing our hearts for His coming! Listen to this Meditation Media.

Meditation for the Week

Engaging the Lordship of Jesus

The Wisdom of the Cross Lenten Mission: The Holy Rosaries and Meditations
 
St. Louis de Montfort, before preaching a Mission, would not begin his preaching without leading the community in the Holy Rosary.

Fr. de Montfort did not do this as part of a devotional practice. Rather, it served a very important purpose for him. He took to heart the Gospel that the Lord tells us when the Sower plants his seeds, he does so on various types of soil . . . fertile, or hard, or on rocks. Most of the seeds falling on the hardened soil and on the rocks does not have a chance to take root. Montfort use to say that unless the ground is prepared, the preaching has very little purpose. Montfort believed the saying of the Holy Rosary is at the service of preparing the heart. The Rosary is like rain fall. Each Hail Mary is like a rain drop falling upon the heart of the community.

So, at the beginning of each night of the Mission, a Holy Rosary is said . . .  The Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, and the Glorious Mysteries.  Each Rosary contains Lenten Meditations on the Cross and each of the Mysteries.

We encourage those that listen to the Virtual Mission on The Wisdom of The Cross, before each day’s audio, listen to and say a Holy Rosary corresponding to that night’s Mission. We pray that you also contemplate each of the Mysteries’ Meditations and that this Mission assists you in your own Preparation for Holy Week.

The Wisdom of the Cross Lenten Mission

The Holy Rosary: Sorrowful Mysteries: Recorded on the Second Night of the Mission

Easter Sunday: The Joy of Easter, is the Joy of Jesus Christ First, and Then it's Ours
 
St. Peter talks in the first reading about the witnesses chosen in advance to the Resurrection of Jesus.

Mary Magdalene went to the tomb on Easter morning. When she saw the empty tomb, she ran to tell the disciples the news. Upon hearing it, John and Peter ran to the tomb to see for themselves. John arrived first, scripture tells us, but he did not initially enter.  Then Peter arrives. Easter sets lives in motion. Today, this is no less true. We attend Mass on Easter because of the greatness of today.

When the Lord looked across history, before we were even born, he saw us all attending Mass on Easter, because of the greatness of the day. He saw you. Because that is the reason, He endured The Cross. He saw you! The Joy of Easter, is the Joy of Jesus Christ first, and then it's ours. Hear more within the Homily.

Hear about the original Easter day. Understand what Jesus’ Joy really means. Understand what The Joy of Easter is the Joy of Jesus means. Listen to this Meditation Media.

The Joy of Easter, is the Joy of Jesus Christ First, and Then it's Ours

Lenten Season Lesson: Charity and Prayer are Not Optional, but Obligatory

We all are sinners. This is obvious, but it is possible on any given day for us to forget that.

We might focus on the sinfulness of the world. We focus on the failures of others. We may also focus on the ways we have been wronged.

We are sinners, but at times that thought can become distant. This theme runs through the Lenten Season. The Lord tells the people in scripture that the issue is not that you don’t go to Church (temple). It’s not that you aren’t sacrificing. But you are allowing things to blind reality.

The Lord says you come to give sacrifices to the temple but walk by your brother in need and do nothing. Any one of these things aren’t bad. What is bad is that we do not allow the very best of things to penetrate us. The first four days of Lent is a special period.

If you want to follow Jesus, deny yourself, and pick up your cross. Hear the insights within the Homily.

Charity and prayer are not optional, but obligatory.
You cannot have a relationship with the Lord, without caring for His people. Understand what this means during this Lenten Season and its implications for us!

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Image: 

Christ in Gethsemane: German Painter: Heinrich Hoffman: 1886

Lenten Season Lesson: Charity and Prayer are Not Optional, but Obligatory

The Spiritual Meaning of Lent

There is a definite structure to Lent.

It is not merely a calendar structure. It is a spiritual structure! The more we can appreciate this fact, the more we can enter into the fullness of this holy season.
Lent means many things to Christians. We use words to describe this season, like fasting and penance. Lent is associated with certain devotions, including the Stations of the Cross. All of this is good and helpful!

However, sometimes we wonder how this all fits together! What is the relationship to the Ashes on Ash Wednesday to the Stations of the Cross? What is the relationship between ashes and fasting? How does fasting connect us to the Stations of the Cross?

What we want to do is back up a little bit and look at the Lenten Season as a whole. Sometimes Christians get caught up in the details that we miss the overall framework in which they are set that gives them meaning.

Lent is forty days, hence the song. But that is true and not true at once. If you take out the Sundays, there is forty days of Lent. But we refer to these Sundays as Sundays of Lent. Therefore, the Lenten Season has actually more than forty days. Informative, but what is its significance?

Lent contains multiple periods. It begins with the introductory period, then the longer period determined by the Sundays. The introductory period begins on Ash Wednesday and includes the next three days. Then the Lenten Season shifts as we celebrate the first Sunday. Hear more within the Homily and why understanding these periods are important to us!

The beginning of Lent is connected to the end of the Lenten Season . . . Easter Sunday. We must not ever forget that! Hear more as to what that really means.

Lent exists to prepare us for the celebration of Easter! How spiritually does it do that?

Listen to this special Meditation Media given as a conference on the first Friday of Lent.

Listen to:

The Spiritual Meaning of Lent
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Image:

The Taking of Christ: Italian Painter: Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.: 1602
 

Each Friday, a special Mediation . . . a special conference will be held throughout the Lenten Season.  Look also for the next meditation installment.

The Spiritual Meaning of Lent

Where Did the Stations of the Cross Come From? Why Are They Important? What is the Peculiar Power of this Prayer?

Note: This audio does not contain the actual praying of the stations. The audio addresses the origin questions appearing within the title, plus more.  If you wish to pray the Stations, a link within the post provides an example.

During the Lenten Season, many participate in the devotion and the praying of The Stations or The Way of The Cross.

While we see the stations . . . either outside on the grounds or within the parish, we often pray before them. However, we often spend little time reflecting on what they are in the first place. Where did the Stations come from? Why are they important? What is the peculiar power of this prayer?

It seems a good time during this Lenten Season, when we often pray the stations, to take some formation time on the stations themselves.

Some global issues first: St. Louis de Montfort tells us the single greatest means of quickening our hearts with love for the Lord, is to contemplate lovingly all that He suffered for us! The more we focus on His Passion, the more we deepen our love for the Lord. Yes, we will have regret for our sins that causes His Passion in the first place! Yes, we should feel that in our hearts. But the overall object is to kindle our love for the Lord! Note the thrust of that, as the Homily exclaims!

The contemplation begins with the realization that the Passion . . . this has been done . . . for me! Hear more within the Homily.

Listen to:

Where Did the Stations of the Cross Come From? Why Are They Important? What is the Peculiar Power of this Prayer?
Listen to this Meditation Media

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Image:
Christ Crucified: Spanish Painter: Diego Velázquez: 1632
Return to Meditation Media 

Note: This marks the second Friday of the current Lenten Season, featuring special formation conferences covering a range of seasonal topics. You can revisit the initial installment, titled “The Spiritual Meaning of Lent,” (see link within the post).

Where Did the Stations of the Cross Come From? What is the Peculiar Power of this Prayer?

St. Louis de Montfort’s Hymns on the Sorrowful Passion
 
A quick note about the hour.

In the Christian Tradition, Jesus breathes His last on The Cross at 3 PM on Good Friday. That is the ninth hour of the day. 3PM is often reflected upon. What many Christians do not reflect upon as often are the other hours.

When scripture speaks of the Passion of the Lord, and its events, they are spoken about in a liturgical way. The Lord is led forth at the 3rd hour (9:00 AM), nailed to The Cross at the 6th hour (noon) and dies at the ninth hour (3PM). These are all the traditional hours of prayer. The Church prays at these hours as Jesus completes our prayer with His self-giving. Listen more to the Homily.

St. Louis’ Hymns on the Events of the Passion

Praying the Stations of the Cross is a Lenten devotion. This audio does not pray the stations as one is normally accustomed to praying. However, the media engages the stations.

One of the treasures St. Louis de Montfort left the Church are a collection of Hymns. Among these hymns is a mediation in song of the events of the Passion. One for every day of the week. With an eighth hymn dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows at the foot of The Cross.

The hymns will be read in excerpts. If you have the Hymns book, which we encourage each Queen of All Hearts members to obtain, they are Hymns #67 through #74. Hear more in the Conference.

Listen to:

St. Louis de Montfort’s Hymns on the Sorrowful Passion

Listen to this Meditation Media.

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Image: 
Behold the Man: Ecce Homo: Hungarian Painter: Mihály Munkácsy: 1896

St. Louis de Montfort’s Hymns on the Sorrowful Passion

Jesus Became Angry
 

Intoday’s Gospel we hear that Jesus becomes angry!

We may recall the scripture – Jesus and the Merchants / Money Changers in the Temple. Jesus became angry!  What is the takeaway for our Spiritual Life?

Listen to:

Jesus Became Angry
Listen to this Meditation Media.
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Image: 
The Merchants Chased from the Temple: French Painter: James Tissot: 1886

Jesus Became Angry

Atonement, Reparation and Reconciliation to the Heart of Jesus
 
Every so often we hear or read a statement that most Christians do not believe that Jesus is really present in the Blessed Sacrament.

This statement is not new to our times! This belief and issue go back hundreds of years.

Go back to the year 1673, in the convent of the Visitation Sisters, a religious community that is founded precisely to visit the Blessed Sacrament. Founded to spend time in adoration and appreciation for the sacramental presence of the Lord. Christ appeared to a young sister . . . Margaret Mary.

Hear more on what Jesus expects from all of us in:

Atonement, Reparation and Reconciliation to the Heart of Jesus
Listen to this third installment of this season’s Lenten Friday Conferences.

Note: During the conference we hear the Montfort Spirituality Atonement Prayer to the Heart of Jesus. The prayer is in excess of three hundred years old.

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Image:
Jesus Appearing to Margaret Mary

Note: This marks the third Friday of the current Lenten Season, featuring special formation conferences covering a range of seasonal topics. You can revisit the initial installment, titled “The Spiritual Meaning of Lent,” (see web post for the link).

The second installment is entitled: Where Did the Stations of the Cross Come From? Why Are They Important? What is the Peculiar Power of this Prayer? (see web post for the link).

Atonement, Reparation and Reconciliation to the Heart of Jesus

The Seven Last Words of Jesus: The Fourth Friday Lenten Season Conference

Note: This audio is the fourth Friday conference within the Lenten Season. The first several media titles appear below.

The Seven Last Words of Jesus: The Fourth Friday Lenten Season Conference
 
When we say the seven last words, we mean the seven last statements of Jesus on The Cross.

On Mount Sinai, the Lord gave to Moses ten words. Now, there on another hill, seven more words are given. God made Moses a meditator to receive the words. On Good Friday, God’s Son gives the world seven more words.

The parallelism continues. On Mount Sinai there was rolling thunder and shaking of the earth. On Good Friday, a similar thing happens. The site as we know is Calvary, the place of the new covenant. The Homily tells us more.

As Jesus is on The Cross, Jesus addresses His people. The audio describes the Lord on The Cross to set the scene and to help form a mental image.

These words were not given to the entire world. They were shared and heard by only a few people. The seven words should be looked at together to understand their significance.

Listen to:

The Seven Last Words of Jesus.
Understand how these words should impact our Spiritual Life. Listen to this Friday Conference During Lenten Season. Listen to this Meditation Media.

Note: See the Seven Last Words below and a list as to which Gospel they may be found.

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Image: 

Christ Crucified: Spanish Painter: Diego Velázquez: 1632

Note: This marks the fourth Friday of the current Lenten Season, featuring special formation conferences covering a range of seasonal topics. The other conferences are entitled: 
-1- “The Spiritual Meaning of Lent,” 

-2- Where Did the Stations of the Cross Come From? Why Are They Important? What is the Peculiar Power of this Prayer? 

-3- Atonement, Reparation and Reconciliation to the Heart of Jesus

Jesus’ Last Words and Gospel
#1: Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.: St. Luke
#2: Amen, I say to you. This day you will be with me in Paradise. : St. Luke
#3: Women, behold your son…behold your Mother: St. John
#4: My God! My God! Why have You forsaken Me? : St. Mark and St. Matthew
#5: I Thirst! : St. John
#6: It is finished. : St. John
#7: Father, into Your hands I commend my Spirit. : St. Luke

The Seven Last Words of Jesus: The Fourth Friday Lenten Season Conference

Look UP in Faithfulness to See the Lord. The Gift of Hope
 

Jesus says in the Gospel, the Son of Man will be lifted up.

Jesus references in the Gospel Moses in the dessert. When the Israelites were unfaithful, and worshipped serpents, snakes came and bit the people. Many people died. When the people called out to God, He commanded Moses to create a bronze serpent and place it on a pole. He told Moses to raise it high, so the people can see it. People saw the power of God and those that looked, did not die from the snakes. The people remembered the reason why this happened. It was their unfaithfulness.

Out of their affliction came the sign of their healing. All they had to do is be faithful and look up. Hear more within the Homily.

The Lord says He must be lifted up so He can be a sign. The wounded people, filled with regret, can look up and see the Lord, and look to Him in their affliction. The Lord must be lifted up to find Me. This will give the people hope. Understand this within the Homily.

Near the end of the Homily, we hear that 2025 has been designated a year of Hope – a Holy Year. Additionally, 2024 has been designated as a year of prayer. Hear more about these two years and the significance within the Homily.

Listen to:

Look UP in Faithfulness to See the Lord. The Gift of Hope
Listen to this Meditation Media.
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Image:

Crucified Christ with Donors: Italian Artist: Ugolino di Nerio: 1317-1327
 
This painting is one of the earliest known paintings of Jesus on The Cross. This painting is nearly 700 years old.

Gospel Reading: John 3: 14-21

Look UP in Faithfulness to See the Lord. The Gift of Hope

The Lord Tells Us Do Not Fall Into the Trap of Doing the Details and Thinking Your Spiritual Life Must Be Alright: The Lord Explains What We Must Do
 
Scripture’s focus on Mass this last week has been our relationship with the Word of God.

It focuses on the need to receive it and respond to it.

Today’s scripture continues this focus. The Lord Himself tells us the human heart, for many, goes through the motions without faith. The Lord says He desires mercy, not sacrifices. The Lord is not saying sacrifices are bad. He is saying that sacrifices alone are often shallow. It is often an expression of piety that goes nowhere.

People may go through the motions and offer sacrifices at the proper time. I do things when I am supposed to do them. There is a way of just showing up that is empty. The Lord and the Homily tells us more.

We must be careful we do not fall into a trap. We must not think, if I get all the details right, that I must be all right.

Listen to:

The Lord Tells Us Do Not Fall into the Trap of Doing the Details and Thinking Your Spiritual Life Must Be Alright: The Lord Explains What We Must Do
 

Listen to this Meditation Media.

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Image:
The Lord’s Prayer: French Painter: James Tissot: 1886-1896

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Gospel Reading: Luke 18: 9-14

The Lord Tells Us Do Not Fall Into the Trap

Healing by Christ of the Man by the Pool is a Foretelling of Our Spiritual Life. It is an Important Lesson During the Lenten Season
 
Today’s Gospel is well known to many Christians.

John tells us about the healing by Christ of the man by the pool. The Church selects this scripture as a reminder that we are all cleaned and healed in the pool of water at our Baptism. Baptism can only be done once, and it is permanent. However, it has little value if we do not do something.

Hear what the Church teaches us on this day and during the Lenten Season.

Listen to this Meditation Media.

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Image:
Christ Heals the Man by the Pool: Spanish Painter: Bartolomé Estebán Murillo: 1670

Gospel Reading: John 5: 1-16

Healing by Christ of the Man by the Pool is a Foretelling of Our Spiritual Life

The Mysteries of Holy Week

The Mysteries of Holy Week: Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion through Holy Thursday

Note: This audio is the fifth Friday conference within the Lenten Season. The first several media sets’ titles within this series appear below.

The Mysteries of Holy Week: Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion through Holy Thursday

In a number of the Homilies during the Lenten Season, it has been mentioned that Lent is going somewhere.

It is headed toward the Holy Week. Everything that happens during Lent . . . all of the fasting, prayers and acts of charity . . . are at the service of bringing us to the Holy Days ready to celebrate them worthily and well. The prayers of the Lenten Season are at the service of a greater act of service and prayer. Hear more within the conference.

The Lenten Season Prepares Us
The Lenten Season prepares us to show up prepared for the Holy Days. It is not just showing up that is the key. It is showing up for these days . . . prepared. Preparing for what? To enter fully into the Mysteries of the Holy Days.

What is Passiontide? Passiontide is the last two weeks of Lent. Scripture tells us Jesus sets His face toward Jerusalem. Meaning, He is on the way to the Holy Days. What does that mean and why is it significant? Hear more within the conference.

Holy Week begins during Palm Sunday. It is that day we arrive at the doorstep of Holy Week. The official name by the Church is Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. As we move toward Holy Week, there are some changes. It begins on the fifth Sunday of Lent. Hear more within the conference.

Palm Sunday is Not a Re-enactment
Palm Sunday is not a re-enactment of the events of Jesus entering into Jerusalem! Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is not a re-enactment of the events of Jesus entering into Jerusalem. It is a participation in it! It is a participation of the movement of the Lord. Hear more within the media.

Listen to this first of two conferences: The Mysteries of Holy Week: Palm Sunday through Holy Thursday. Hear about the last week of Jesus’ public life and public ministry.

The first conference takes us through Holy Thursday.  The second conference picks up from Good Friday. Listen to both conferences.

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Image: 

Triumphal entry: German Painter and Graphic Artist: Bernhard Plockhorst: (1825 – 1907)
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Note: This marks the fifth Friday of the current Lenten Season, featuring special formation conferences covering a range of seasonal topics. You can revisit the initial installment, titled “The Spiritual Meaning of Lent".

The second installment is entitled: Where Did the Stations of the Cross Come From? Why Are They Important? What is the Peculiar Power of this Prayer? 

The third conference: Atonement, Reparation and Reconciliation to the Heart of Jesus.

The fourth conference: The Seven Last Words of Jesus: The Fourth Friday Lenten Season Conference.

Meditation for the Week: Special Lenten Season Conferences: Fifth Sunday of Lent

The Mysteries of Holy Week: Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion through Holy Thursday

Scripture Foretells of the Events of Good Friday

In today’s Gospel we have a strong indication of Good Friday.

This Sunday begins Passiontide . . . the time of The Cross. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, but Passiontide begins a week earlier. The readings have a strong message about The Cross.

The first reading is from the third chapter of the Book of Wisdom. It is also a good reading to read at home. Why? It anticipates the events of Good Friday. The anticipation is not only of the events of Good Friday, but the workings of the heart within those who put Him to death. The world is threatened by Jesus. Understand this! This chapter is both instructive and troubling because it may surface the hidden traits of our own hearts. The Gospel provides a message as well. Hear more within the Homily.

Listen to:

Scripture Foretells the Events of Good Friday
Listen to this Meditation Media.
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Image:

The Crucifixion: French Painter: Simon Vouet: 1622
This painting resides in the Church of Jesus, Genoa.

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Gospel Reading: John 7: 1-2, 10, 25-30

Scripture Foretells of the Events of Good Friday

It is God that Witnesses to Me, so I may Witness to Him! Impacts for Our Spiritual Life
 

Scripture, especially during Lent, speaks to your heart and my heart.

The readings are challenging today. They speak about the religious leaders’ hearts. In the first reading (not included within this media set), God is frustrated with His people even after all the things and signs He showed us. Even after seeing the Red Sea parting, the plagues, and the shaking of Mt. Sinai, the people created an image of the “god” they would worship. God became frustrated.

Seeing signs is not enough. God turns to Moses. Look at what your people have done, says the Lord. What should I do with them who turned their back on Me? Moses responds. Hear more within the Homily.

In the Gospel today, the Lord says . . . I haven’t come to tell you what you want to hear. I do not have to prove anything to you . . . the heart of man. It is God who authenticates Me! It is God that witnesses to Me, so I may witness to Him! I am not authenticated by any man! Wow! What a statement!

Jesus tells us believe in my works and believe in me. Hear more within the Homily and understand the impacts for our spiritual life.

Listen to:

It is God that witnesses to Me, so I may witness to Him! Impacts for Our Spiritual Life

Listen to this Meditation Media.

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Image: 
Jesus . . . from the Painting: Sermon on the Mount: Danish Artist: Carl Bloch: 1877
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Gospel Reading: John 5: 31-47

It is God that Witnesses to Me, so I may Witness to Him! Impacts for Our Spiritual Life

Our Lady of Sorrows: Unite the Last Two Lines of the Hail Mary With Mary at the Foot of the Cross
 

Thisfour minute audio was originally recorded as part of a recent Passion of Mary.

This brief homily reflects on the last two lines of the Hail Mary and Our Lady of Sorrows standing at the foot of The Cross praying for Jesus and mankind.

Listen to this brief, but special Meditation Media.

 

Note: The media references the reading of the Passion of Mary.  This is a separate audio and is only available for a few days during Holy Week.

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Image:
Our Lady of Sorrows

Passion of Mary 

Our Lady of Sorrows: Unite the Last Two Lines of the Hail Mary With Mary at the Foot of the Cross

Understand How Our Lady of Sorrows Impacts Our Holy Week Devotion and Our Spiritual Life

The audio opens up describing a specific image . . . Our Lady of Sorrows.

The image within this post is further explained. Listen to the details behind this image and understand its importance within the Lenten Season.

Weeping at the foot of The Cross is the result of a deep appreciation for everything her Son, Jesus, is undergoing. Scripture tells us Our Lady held in her heart all of these things, like a treasure. Her tears do not fall on the ground as they are caught. Our Lady holds all the events of Jesus life as a treasury. She will not let them go un-mourned. Hear more within the Homily. The sword within the image is also explained.

Listen to:

Understand How Our Lady of Sorrows Impacts Our Holy Week Devotion and Our Spiritual Life

Listen to this special conference during the Lenten Season. Listen to this Meditation Media.

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Image:

Our Lady of Sorrows

Note: This marks the six Friday of the current Lenten Season, featuring special formation conferences covering a range of seasonal topics. You can revisit the initial installment, titled “The Spiritual Meaning of Lent”.

The second installment is entitled: Where Did the Stations of the Cross Come From? Why Are They Important? What is the Peculiar Power of this Prayer? 

The third conference: Atonement, Reparation and Reconciliation to the Heart of Jesus.

The fourth conference: The Seven Last Words of Jesus: The Fourth Friday Lenten Season Conference.

The fifth conference: The Mysteries of Holy Week.

Lenten Series Conferences: Meditation for the Week

Understand How Our Lady of Sorrows Impacts Our Holy Week Devotion and Our Spiritual Life

The Lord Freely Gives Up His Life: Understand the Implications
 
Freedom can actually be a terrible thing!

Strange to say! How freedom is used has consequences. We see this in today’s Gospel and through Holy Week. The Lord will freely lay down His life. It is a freedom to obey a will other than one’s own. We don’t often connect freedom with obedience. The Homily explores this further.

Judas also freely goes and asks the religious leaders to hand over Jesus. He freely enters into a bargain to hand Him over.

The Lord embraces the moment. He is aware of what will happen and who will betray Him. Not to save His own life will the Lord prevent someone’s freedom to act.

The Lord gives Himself to Us and For Us.
Listen to:

The Lord Freely Gives Up His Life: Understand the Implications
Listen to this Meditation Media

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Image:

Judas Iscariot (right), retiring from the Last Supper: Danish Painter: Carl Bloch: late 1800s
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Gospel Reading: Matthew 26: 14-25

The Lord Freely Gives Up His Life: Understand the Implications

Jesus Chooses You on Easter Sunday and Every Day
In today’s Gospel we hear about St. John and St. Peter running to Jesus’ empty tomb.

Recall, they did not yet understand what Jesus’ Resurrection meant. After arriving at the tomb, the Gospel tells us . . . they understood what had happen. Imagine turning within the tomb, and looking out at the world, completely changed. They exited from the tomb changed. The world itself changed.

Peter and John are tasked with spreading the message of Jesus’ Resurrection. Now imagine you and me at the tomb. Jesus also chooses us to spread the message through our normal life. However, imagine how the Resurrection will impact their life . . . with our life . . . in delivering the message. Jesus chooses you . . . to deliver this message. Understand what that really means!

Listen to:

Jesus Chooses You on Easter Sunday and Every Day
Listen to this Meditation Media.

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Image: 


The Disciples Peter and John Running to the Sepulchre on the Morning of the Resurrection: Swiss Painter: Eugène Burnand: 1898

This painting is also known by its shorten name, The Disciples.  Now residing in Paris, it was not well received when it was first presented. But look at the painting again.  It is truly remarkable!  Look at the hands of the younger disciple in anticipation. He holds his hands together anxiously.  Look at Peter’s expression. He looks both terrified and hopeful. The artist captures the emotion and the movement of the disciples. How truly wonderful and appropriate for this Meditation piece.

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Gospel Reading: John 20: 1-9

Meditation for the Week 

Jesus Chooses You on Easter Sunday and Every Day

The Apostles Were Slow to Believe the Lord Has Risen!
 
One of the aspects of Easter we do not talk about is the topic of abundance.

The Church places before us certain things that underscores how important this time really is to all Christians. The Homily explains this further.

Today’s readings emphasize something. Have you ever experienced a difficult time in paying attention? If the answer is yes, todays reading become even more important. Faith is not about someone else. Faith is about our life. In today’s reading we hear about the difficulty in believing. Difficulty in having faith. Difficulty in changing one’s heart.

In the first reading (not included within this audio) we hear the religious leaders thought they were done with Jesus and His disciples. Now they see Peter and John healing people and teaching to the people in the name of Jesus. The leaders should have the easiest time in understanding the will of God. But they don’t! What do the leaders do next? Hear more in the Homily.

Slow to Believe
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is not happy with Peter and John. These are the same guys doing wonders in the first reading. When we go to Mass, we have a mix of people. We are not talking about race or background. We are talking about the heart. We’ll have people that attend Mass regularly and have a strong faith. Others are attending, perhaps for the first time and are not strong in their faith. That is why today’s Gospel is important.

Jesus rises and appears to Mary Magdalene. She rushes to tell the Apostles. She saw the Lord. Their response? We do not believe you! Two other disciples return to the Apostles and tell them they have seen the Lord. Their response? We do not believe you! These are the guys who know Jesus the best, and they do not believe!

Why were the Apostles slow to believe? Hear and understand the impact on the Apostles. Understand how this impacts our own heart and our own spiritual life!
Listen to:

The Apostles Were Slow to Believe the Lord Has Risen!
Listen to this Meditation Media.

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Image:

The Resurrection: Dutch Painter: Carl Bloch: 1875

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Gospel Reading: Matthew 16: 9-15

The Apostles Were Slow to Believe the Lord Has Risen!

Peter Exclaims to the World, In the Name of Jesus You Are Saved!
 
The scene in the first reading (not included within this audio) has a theme of Holy Week.

The scene is about two months after Good Friday. The numbers of “Christians” have swelled to several thousand and growing. The scene includes the Jewish religious leaders, Peter and John, the temple guards and others. The leaders thought they were rid of Jesus and His followers.

Peter Stands Before the Religious Leaders
The same people whom Jesus stood in front of on Good Friday are in this new scene. A remarkable scene. Peter, who on that night denied the Lord, now stands before the same religious leaders. However, he stands there with an animated spirit. The same group who judged Jesus, now judges Peter. The scene is provoked by an act of power (healing the sick and teaching with authority). Some religious leaders and their groups did not believe in the possibility of a resurrection.

Announcing a resurrection will provoke the religious leaders. Hear more within the Homily.

Peter, standing in front of these leaders says something. He says you are judging us because we did something good to a cripple. That is why we are here and why you are judging us! You are judging us on the manner of how we saved / healed someone. Peter was not saying the person could now walk. He was saying the person was saved, and that his healing was a sign from heaven of that fact.

Peter tells the leaders that In the Name of Jesus, this man was saved.
Hear more:

Peter Exclaims to the World, In the Name of Jesus You Are Saved!
Listen to this Meditation Media
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Image:

Christ Charges Peter: Italian Painter: Raphael: 1515
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Gospel Reading: John 21: 1-14
First Reading: Acts: 4: 1-12

Peter Exclaims to the World, In the Name of Jesus You Are Saved!

The Church Moves Across The Water Feeling Alone. Lessons for Our Own Spirituality!
 
The first reading (not included within this audio, is very instructive on how the Church moves forward.

No one in the ancient times was more vulnerable than a widow. Without the support of a husband, and often with small children, a widow was vulnerable. As the Church began to grow in numbers, many of them were widows. But the Church could not tend to all of them. For a small segment of the Church, there was an opportunity for neglect or simply an oversight.

The complaint is raised to the Apostles. The Greek widows are being neglected. The Apostles recognize they cannot do everything by ourselves. These men, personally called by Jesus, and govern the community, also recognize as the community grows, there is more work than they can handle. They cannot do or fix everything. They turn to the community and ask the community to solve it. The opportunity for complaining, now changes and requires the community to step forward to help fix the issue. This is the recognition of the order of Deacons.

It is also the recognition of another vocation by the Apostles. The Apostles ask the community to look among themselves and choose people of high quality to assist in providing a solution. Listen more within the Homily and listen to this example of the early Church at work. Hear how God calls some of us to service within His Church.

The Lord Approaches the Disciples
In today’s Gospel we hear about the Lord walking on water. The disciples are in the boat, as night settles upon the seas. They are alone. Jesus is not physically with them. This is the image of the Church. A boat on the sea. On the sea, every boat is tiny and vulnerable. Note the image.

The body of Christ is on the move to get to the other side of the sea. The only way to get to the other side is to get in the boat, which carries them forward. In scripture, water is a complicated reality. We tend to think water is always good. But that is not the case in scripture. Water can be destructive (ie; the great flood). In the Bible, the only one who is capable of controlling water, is God.

The disciples do not hear the voice of Jesus. He is obviously, not in the boat. As the storms rages on, the disciples feel alone. They know they have to move forward, but they feel alone, and it is getting darker.

Think about your Spiritual Life. At times, isn’t that a familiar scenario? Then, in today’s scripture, something remarkable happens. Hear more in the Homily!

What lessons can we draw from today’s Gospel? Listen to:

The Church Moves Across The Water Feeling Alone. Lessons for Our Own Spirituality!

Listen to this Meditation Media.

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Image: 
Jesus Walking On Water: English Painter: William Brassey Hole: 1905
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Gospel Reading: John 6: 16-21
First Reading: Acts: 6: 1-7

The Church Moves Across The Water Feeling Alone. Lessons for Our Own Spirituality!

Why Does the Church Insist We Celebrate the Easter for an Octave?
 
The Gospel today is the Road to Emmaus.  

Jesus appears to two disciples. It is important to understand today’s Gospel to comprehend how the Easter Octave works. Why does Church celebrate and keep this octave in the first place? The reason is exactly what we hear in the Gospel reading. We move forward through the octave to consider all the things that have taken place. The Church reminds us that rather than being busy to get back to ordinary time, we pause on an extended Easter Sunday. Why pause? To consider all that have taken place. Hear more within the Homily on why this is so important!

The octave is a point of shared rest and shared contemplation the Church sets aside each year. The disciples move together and share “all of these things”.  As they do so, the Lord appears and joins them in this process. There is an intensity of Our Lord’s presence over these days. This is true during the Apostles days and true today for us! Why! Because we (and the disciples) contemplate Our Lord’s presence considering “all of these things”.

How we come to Mass during the Octave manners. If we come to Mass as we do on any Sunday during ordinary times, something is missing. Listen again to the conversation, in this light, to the Gospel story the Road to Emmaus.

Listen to:

Why Does the Church Insist We Celebrate the Easter for an Octave?

Listen to this Meditation Media.

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Image:

On the Road to Emmaus: French Painter: James Tissot: 1886
This artwork currently resides within the Brooklyn Museum.

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Gospel Reading: Luke 24: 13-35

Why Does the Church Insist We Celebrate the Easter for an Octave?

I Am the Bread of Life. What is Jesus Actually Telling Us? Impact on Our Spiritual Life!
 
Yesterday, we heard about the martyrdom of St. Stephen, and Saul was present.

Stephen placed his spirit into the hands of Christ. This had an immediate impact. Stephen says, Lord do not hold this against them. The great Deacon’s actions echo what Jesus Himself says on The Cross.

Saul is emboldened by the death of Stephen. Saul, encouraged by the people putting Stephen to death, begins his immediate persecution of members of the “Catholic” Church. We hear in scripture about breaking into homes of people in the middle of the night and dragging them out! What we hear is a remarkable example of cruelty and persecution.

Even as this is happening, within these events, something greater is happening! The world sees this false strength in a bold and threating way. What does the Church say? The Church tells us the blood of the martyrs are the seeds by which the Church grows! Stephen’s blood has been spilled. The persecution erupts around him. And the Church grows! Hear more within the Homily!

The Bread of Life
The Gospel scripture is St. John’s description of the Bread of Life (Chapter 6). He doesn’t just write down what Jesus says. He very carefully frames it. The Lord has fed several thousand people. Then He walks across the water. Note what the Lord demonstrates to us! As the Lord of nature, He is capable of doing several things . . . or anything He desires . . . with bread! And, as Lord, He is capable of doing anything He desires with His body! He easily walks upon water despite a great storm. He demonstrates He is capable of going beyond our sense of the reasonable and natural.

People experience the feeding of the thousands. People come to Him asking Him for another sign. The Lord has already given His sign. The heart of mankind still seeks more and asks for more signs. Hear the significance and reason behind this within man’s heart!

Jesus Tells Us . . .
This Gospel is not unfamiliar to us. We understand Jesus is the Bread of Life. However, we encourage you to listen to this Homily to understand what St. John is trying to frame and its importance for our own Spiritual Life. Jesus tells us to not be concerned with being unworthy. That is not what Jesus focuses on. It is not what we should be focusing on . . . as true as that might be. Understand what Jesus is telling us.

Listen to:

I Am the Bread of Life. What is Jesus Actually Telling Us? Impact on Our Spiritual Life!
Listen to this Meditation Media.

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Image:

The Last Supper – The First Eucharist: Spanish Painter: Vicente Juan Masip: 1562

The first image is a cropped image focusing on The Bread of Life.

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Gospel Reading: John: 6: 35-40

I Am the Bread of Life. What is Jesus Actually Telling Us? Impact on Our Spiritual Life!

What is Jesus Telling Us on Good Shepherd Sunday? How Should that Influence Our Spiritual Life?
 
Today’s Gospel focuses on The Good Shepherd.

We have all heard this Gospel in the past. “They know my voice”. Each year the fourth Sunday of Easter is The Good Shepherd Sunday. But what is the Lord telling us? Is He just telling us that He knows us?

What is Jesus Telling Us on Good Shepherd Sunday? How Should that Influence Our Spiritual Life?

Listen to this Meditation Media.

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Image:
The Good Shepherd: German Painter: Bernhard Plockhorst: (Lived) 1825-1907
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Gospel Reading: John: 10: 11-18

What is Jesus Telling Us on Good Shepherd Sunday? How Should that Influence Our Spiritual Life?

Jesus’ Call to Saul: Jesus’ Plans for St. Paul: Implications for Our Spiritual Journey!
 
In Jesus' times, there was great violence.

Saul was able to persecute “Christians” based solely on a letter from the high priests. Legally, there were no other documents, other than this letter that permitted the persecution.

The Lord takes advantage of this for the spreading of the Gospel. Recently, we heard the persecution of Stephen did not hinder the growth of the Church. In fact, it led to the expansion. Believers leave Jerusalem to other areas of the world to spread the Good News.

Today, we hear the Church arrives in Syria (in Damascus). We hear also that one of the persecutors is moving from Jerusalem as well, toward Damascus. Rome simply allows this persecution to take place. We hear today that Saul is struck down by someone greater than his authority. Saul is struck down, blinded, and has to be led to the town. The strong one meets a stronger authority. What a powerful transition!

Saul Was Chosen By God
Saul will go forth from Damascus with a different and greater authority. He will go and spread the Good News. He was chosen by God. This was God’s plan for Saul / Paul all along. Jesus IS NOT reacting to Saul persecution of early believers. It was His plan all along for Saul to witness and teach to the world. Why?

The Lord takes the one who is least sympathetic. He takes one with a harden heart. He takes Saul to spread the news to the unbelievers.

The Lord saw Saul from all eternity. He saw that He would meet Saul along the way. The Lord has brought Saul to this point. Saul’s self-righteousness brought him forward; the One who is truly self-righteous will bring Him forward for the good of the Gospel.

Listen to:

Jesus’ Call to Saul: Jesus’ Plans for St. Paul: Implications for Our Spiritual Journey!

Listen to this Meditation Media.

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Image: 
The Conversion of Saint Paul: Italian Artist: Caravaggio: 1600

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Gospel Reading: John: 6: 52-59
First Reading: Acts 9: 1-20

Jesus’ Call to Saul: Jesus’ Plans for St. Paul: Implications for Our Spiritual Journey!

Remain In Me, Jesus Tells Us! A Fundamental Requirement in Sharing In the Life of Jesus.
 
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us He is the Vine, and we are the branches.

We must stay connected to Him! Jesus explains to us what that really means! We have heard this Gospel before, and many of us know it well. But Jesus goes on and exclaims, We Must Remain In Him!

We cannot partially or sometimes remain in Him. We must always Remain in Him! What does that really mean? How do we do that? How do we know if we are actually remaining in Him? Why is this a Must? What happens if we fail at this?

Listen to this Meditation Media.
Listen to:

Remain In Me, Jesus Tells Us! A Fundamental Requirement in Sharing In the Life of Jesus.
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Image:

Christ (cropped from a larger painting): German Painter: Heinrich Hoffman: 1899

This image was created by our digital team and renamed: The Presence of Jesus at Mass

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Gospel Reading: John: 15: 1-8

Remain In Me, Jesus Tells Us! A Fundamental Requirement in Sharing In the Life of Jesus.

Reading Through Dignitas Infinita – The Declaration on Human Dignity : Part I 

Dignitas Infinita (which means Infinite Dignity) is a 2024 declaration on Catholic doctrine that outlines the importance of human dignity, explains its connection to God.

“Dignitas Infinita – The Declaration on Human Dignity” is a profound testament to the intrinsic worth and rights of every individual. Crafted as a guiding beacon for ethical and moral conduct, it articulates the fundamental principles that uphold human dignity across diverse cultural, social, and philosophical landscapes. Rooted in the belief that every person possesses inherent value and deserves respect, the declaration addresses key facets of human existence, including autonomy, equality, and justice.

By championing these principles, Dignitas Infinita seeks to foster a world where the dignity of each person is not only recognized but actively safeguarded, ensuring that human flourishing becomes the cornerstone of societal progress and collective well-being.

The doctrine is however profound and is beautifully written and published by the Catholic Church.  The Company of Mary is holding a five-week conference (one media per week). The session titles discuss the document within a specific context.

The titles of each conference:
-1- A correct understanding on Human Dignity (which is this audio)

Future weekly conference titles are:
-2- Learning to live in a dignified way.
-3- Threats to Human Dignity – Part I
-4- Threats to Human Dignity – Part II
-5- Moving forward with this teaching

If you can, join us at the Shrine of Our Lady, Dedicated to the Queen of All Hearts for each conference. Otherwise, on a weekly basis, join us by either listening to the audio or, on some media outlets, a video of the conference is presented. Select whichever media format you prefer. Understand this declaration to the fullest.

Listen to this conference over the next five weeks.

Reading Through Dignitas Infinita - The Declaration on Human Dignity

Reading Through Dignitas Infinita Part I - A Correct Understanding on Human Dignity

Jesus Tells Us, Love Others As I Love You Now!
 
The Homily begins as a number of children and their parents are in the pews.

The Homily begins with the concept and explanation of Baptism and Sharing in the Life of Jesus. However, later in the homily, Jesus tells us something important. We all know Jesus tells us to love others . . . to love our neighbor. But Jesus also tells us to love others as Jesus loves us . . . now.

What does that mean and how should it impact our Spiritual Life? Listen to this Meditation Media.
Listen to:

Jesus Tells Us, Love Others As I Love You Now!

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Image:

The Last Supper: Restored mural painting by the Italian Renaissance Artist Leonardo da Vinci, dated to c. 1495–1498.

The painting represents the scene of the Last Supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles, as it is told in the Gospel of John.

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Gospel Reading: John: 15: 9-17

Jesus Tells Us, Love Others As I Love You Now!

The Spirituality of St. Louis de Montfort Produces the Biography of the Saint
 

When we speak of the lives of the saints, regularly we speak of the works of the saints, or the events within their life, or their prayers or hymns.

That is fine, but in doing so, it is incomplete.

In speaking about the saints, we think of the saint who produced a spirituality. For example, for Saint Louis de Montfort, we read his books and spiritual treasures. He composed these writings, and he left them to us. The implication is the life of the saint produced the spirituality. This is not un-true, but it is a half-truth.

Hear more about St. Louis de Montfort on his Feast Day. Understand more about the man and the saint and his spirituality, and the implications for our Spiritual Life.

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Image:

St. Louis de Montfort statue at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Island

The statue is a copy of the statue that appears in the Vatican, originally revealed on the day of Montfort's canonization.

The Spirituality of St. Louis de Montfort Produces the Biography of the Saint!

Conference #1: Lent is at the service of getting us ready for Holy Week. 

The Conference Audio begins with a focus on Preparation for Prayer. This is then extended to the Preparation for Holy Week.
Before prayer, before we make the sign of the Cross, we need to quiet ourselves down and think about what it is we plan to tell the Lord. However, if we simply use the time to quiet ourselves and think about what we are going to say, we missed the point of prayer completely.

In quieting oneself, we need to remember that we are not the only person who is here as prayer begins. It is vitally important to remember when we pray know that we are in the presence of the Lord. The Conference Audio positions this importance further, including how this occurs.

So over Lent, a period of 6 weeks, we are preparing to be in the presence of the Lord. It is during this time, we prepare for the great Mysteries of Our Lord Jesus. These are the great Mysteries of what God does for us through His Son, Our Lord. So during the Holy Days, we want to be present to Our Lord, who makes Himself present through these Mysteries.

We begin (in Lent) with the preparation discipline, of purifying ourselves, and focusing our attention so when the Holy Days come we are not unprepared. This first Conference discusses preparation for Holy Week to get us ready and to focus ourselves spiritualty. So what does getting ready imply? In part, it is that each of us will be meditating on the Mysteries of the Holy Days. This does not mean sit down and start thinking about a topic, or a specific Mystery. The audio elaborates that in a seminary, the meditation topic for the next day was mentioned the night before and mediated upon at night. Then, since the topic is given the night before and was already mediated upon, in the morning, the mediation was not a time dedicated to thinking about the topic, but rather an appreciation for the subject of the meditation. It is here where we meet the Lord in the meditation with a certain fullness. 

Listen to this powerful Conference #1 as it continues on this type of spiritual preparation that will greatly aid our own Spiritual Prayer Life.

Retreat: Conference #1: Preparing for Prayer and Preparing for Holy Week 

Lenten Mission-Getting Ready for the Holy Week - held at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Island

“The first mystery of Jesus Christ, the most hidden, the most exalted, the least known.” – (St. Louis de Montfort’s True Devotion: 248 )

If one has made the Act of Total Consecration, and does not have devotion to this Feast day, then that person … simply, did not make the Act of Total Consecration according to St. Louis de Montfort. It is impossible to do one, without the other! The Feast of the Annunciation, or as St. Louis de Montfort called it, the Feast of the Incarnation, is not a feast day of Our Lady. Oh yes, she is critical in the events we celebrate. However, the feast, is actually a feast honoring Our Lord. For some, it is the greatest of all the Mysteries, the Word becoming Flesh. There is a Marian aspect to it, of course. But it is the day the Lord begins to reveal Himself to the world. But the world will not see Him yet. The world will see Mary.

When we meditate on this Mystery, out of which all the other Mysteries spring from, what we are looking to learn is the way of Jesus Christ, to see the goodness of Jesus Christ. What we desire to know and meet is the Glory of Jesus Christ. But we can not seek this and desire this, without Mary. The more we peer at Our Lady, the more our focus will be on Christ. Jesus does things perfectly. And His way is Through Mary, that He decides to save us all. What a remarkable Mystery!

How do we meditate on this Mystery? This first Spiritual Insight audio contains the Rosary said at the most recent Feast of the Annunciation, and includes the reflections entirely on this one Mystery. Join us in saying the Holy Rosary, and meditating on this Mystery.

Feast of the Annunciation Conference : Shrine of Our Lady of the Island

Rosary and Meditation on the Mystery: Feast of the Annunciation

This is the eighth day of the nine day novena entitled:
The Great Novena to Mary, Queen of All Hearts!

This novena is the second part of the Special Devotional Series. See the Devotional Series under the Spiritual Insights Menu on QueenofAllHearts.com

Special Devotional Series: Novena

The Great Novena to Mary, Queen of All Hearts: Day 8: The Gift of Fear of the Lord

On  the Feast of St. Theresa, the Little Flower, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Island re-locate the statue and dedicated it on October 1, 2020.  The audio below contains four blessings; for the St. Theresa Statue, the St. Theresa Memorial Board, the candle holder that burns in her honor.  Lastly, there is a blessing for all those that listen to the audio or walk through the doors of the Shrine and imitate the love of this wonderful saint.

We invite you to listen to this three minute audio.

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