Prayer

Prayer – Why How What

DVRodriguez2023-04-08T08:06:18-04:00

Like fasting, prayer makes satisfaction for sins, protects us from the enemies of our soul, and obtains grace from God. Prayer is offering God our homage and imploring His favors in order to grow in holiness for His glory. It ought to be humble, fervent, resigned, persevering and accompanied with great reverence. Practice the Presence of God, have a set time to prayer, and use traditional prayer books. Look to three great examples of prayer in Our Lord's life: His time in the desert, His agony in Gethsemane, His death on the Cross.

Prayer – Why How WhatDVRodriguez2023-04-08T08:06:18-04:00

Fasting and Prayer Dispel Spiritual Blindness

DVRodriguez2023-04-05T10:15:04-04:00

In today's Gospel, Jesus Himself teaches us how to see supernatural realities (the value of grace, of union with God). Satan works to tempt him in worldly ways. Take to heart the importance of prayer and fasting. Without these, we are guaranteed to lose the spiritual battle. Make efforts to grow in your prayer repertoire and to pray with a pure heart. Fasting is urgently needed to do necessary penance and to recover our Catholic Faith. Write down your Lenten plan for accountability!

Fasting and Prayer Dispel Spiritual BlindnessDVRodriguez2023-04-05T10:15:04-04:00

Exterior Devotion and Interior Piety

DVRodriguez2023-03-10T06:27:09-05:00

There is a vast difference in how the majority of Catholics live Christmas and Septuageisma. As tradition was abandoned, many forgot the liturgical seasons. In seeking to restore Catholicism, let us not be content with exterior devotions. That is only a first step. Have an authentic interior observance of prayer and of these great Mysteries. Consider how the Son of God made Himself entirely subject to His human Mother – and willingly remains obedient to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Exterior Devotion and Interior PietyDVRodriguez2023-03-10T06:27:09-05:00

Christmas and the Judgment

DVRodriguez2022-11-30T06:02:25-05:00

The Coming of the Lord is the great Mystery with which the Church year begins (and ends). Why does Jesus come? [1] To save your soul. [2] To judge your soul. We must see it as something very personal – as “Jesus and You.” God is giving you this year to prepare for your death and judgement, that you may avoid hell and gain Heaven. Consider Christmas in the light of salvation and of faith – not in a worldly way. Recommendations for Advent include prayer (e.g. the Christmas Novena), penance, and especially detachment.

Christmas and the JudgmentDVRodriguez2022-11-30T06:02:25-05:00

What Price Are You Willing to Pay?

DVRodriguez2022-11-06T16:39:18-05:00

What would you give to be with God? The reality is shocking, because most of us wouldn't give up much. Where are we going wrong? Do we misjudge the price or the prize or both? Is it because we don't perceive God with our senses? Is it because we lack true personal interaction? How God's heart must hurt on account of our hesitation. What will it take for us to want to be with God?

What Price Are You Willing to Pay?DVRodriguez2022-11-06T16:39:18-05:00

Thy Kingdom Come

DVRodriguez2022-11-07T12:37:53-05:00

Every time we pray the Our Father, we pray for the coming of Christ's Kingdom. This means we pray for the propagation of His Church, for the conversion of all sinners, and that Christ reign in our heart, mind, will and body. Too many think Christ need not be acknowledged as King by society and nations. Yet all things exist for His honor and glory. Consider these three truths: [1] You must prize God's kingdom above all things. [2] You must labor to obtain His Kingdom. [3] You are an exile and must render a full account of your life.

Thy Kingdom ComeDVRodriguez2022-11-07T12:37:53-05:00

Three Pillars of Penance

DVRodriguez2021-02-27T06:38:57-05:00

Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are at the very foundation of our spiritual life as Catholics. We must practice them in order to grow in God’s grace. All three require a profound interior disposition. Prayer grows our love for God, almsgiving increases our love of neighbor and detachment from the world, and fasting requires our death to self. These pillars of penance are the most important ways to store up treasures in Heaven and combat the obstacles to receiving God’s grace. This Lent, I exhort you to pray the Rosary more devoutly, meditate upon the Stations of the Cross, grow in your [...]

Three Pillars of PenanceDVRodriguez2021-02-27T06:38:57-05:00

Jesus Deliver Us

DVRodriguez2021-02-11T08:05:32-05:00

God often exercises His power in hidden and mysteries ways that we do not expect. An example of this is His Holy Name. The Holy Name of Jesus inflames us with love for Jesus and protects us from evil. The devil is strong and cunning, so we must specifically invoke Jesus’ Name to deliver us from spiritual evils. To love Jesus is to imitate His love. Our love suffers from many defects and it must be purified and strengthened. That will only happen by God’s grace. Pray the Litany of the Most Holy Name, the Divine Praises, and brief aspirations devoutly [...]

Jesus Deliver UsDVRodriguez2021-02-11T08:05:32-05:00

Religion and Piety

DVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:50-05:00

We must ask the Holy Ghost for His light to enlighten our minds, strengthen our wills and inflame our hearts. Without the Holy Ghost we cannot love rightly (our love is self-centered, self-seeking and weak). In order to bring forth any good fruit, we need the Holy Ghost. Pray for an increase in the virtue of religion (i.e. rendering due honor and glory to God). Pray too for the corresponding virtue of piety (an interior disposition by which we truly love God as our Father). By religion we carry out our duties to God in an exterior way. This is certainly important and necessary. Yet [...]

Religion and PietyDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:50-05:00

Recover the Majesty of God

DVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:50-05:00

Christ our Savior made a great sacrifice to which all are invited. But many make excuses, having more 'important' things to do. Consider our situation today. So many have 'Covid related excuses' for canceling or missing Mass. God desires us to give Him glory and make Him first in our life. The most important way we do this is by uniting ourselves to the glory that only Christ can give God, and that is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. If the Mass is set aside, it is impossible to give just and due glory to God! Yet we are 'too [...]

Recover the Majesty of GodDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:50-05:00