Two brief daily sermons. First Saturday. It is the heart of Mary that gives perfect adoration, praise, honor and glory to God. Her heart is an sea of grace and charity. In her maternal solicitude we find a special love for those who are abandoned. St. Thomas Aquinas. On this day the Church honors her greatest theologian. Let us reflect upon a brief biographical sketch of the Angelic Doctor.
We can draw much light from today’s gospel and last Sunday’s for the two themes of our mission: [1] Jesus and [2] Christian Perfection. Note how both of these are linked by charity. The fruitfulness of these spiritual exercises will depend on your willingness and your efforts to cooperate with the Holy Ghost (Who is Charity itself). Consider the lives of Ss. Peter, James and John, who were the three Apostles most transfigured by the love of their Master. It is imperative that each one of us get to know Christ better. For example, today we hear a most solemn divine command to listen to the Son of [...]
Christ’s call to have faith and believe in Him is a clear and forceful call throughout the Gospel. Our Lord asks each of us, “If I say the truth to you, why do you not believe Me?” The end of our faith is the salvation of our soul. Thus our faith is more precious than gold; but it must be tried in fire. We must examine our conscience – Do you believe His words? How do you respond to them? Like the father in Mark 9, let us pray, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” Let us heed Our Lady’s counsel, [...]
The good sheep listen to the voice of the Shepherd and follow Him. His voice is always calling us to eternal life. [1] Consider just four examples of the voice of the Risen Lord, culminating with Mt 28:18-20. All power is given to Christ. He then bequeaths this power to His Apostles so they may govern, teach in His Name, and administer the Sacraments. [2] The Good Shepherd speaks to us through His Church. One can’t emphasize this enough. Our heart ought to burn when we hear His teaching. The Apostles’ successors must teach as Christ commands and not according to [...]
It is clear from the Message of Fatima that Our Lord now wishes to universally establish devotion to the Immaculate Heart of His Mother. It is through her heart that He will bring peace and exercise His kingship. Let us briefly consider five of the many reasons provided by St. John Eudes for why we should honor the Immaculate Heart of Mary. These include, for example, to honor what God honors, on account of how she cared for the child Jesus, and in thanksgiving to her maternal solicitude for each of us.
At Fatima, Our Lady offered her Brown Scapular to the world. She offers, but we have to place ourselves under her mantle. Ultimately, her “mantle” is Christ Himself. On account of her great maternal love, she promises to protect those who faithfully wear her Scapular and to bring them to salvation. She is all-powerful with God and is therefore able to fulfill this promise. It is important for us to know the origins and history of the Scapular and to bear in mind the context in which she gave it to St. Simon Stock: a mother to a son who found [...]
To some degree or another, your family is weighed down by the darkness of sin. This is the greatest problem in our marriages and family. Christ is the light we so much need. Let us draw grace from the light of Christmas, Epiphany, and the Holy Family. In this centenary year of Our Lady of Fatima, note how she too brings the light needed by our families to convert. In a letter to Cardinal Cafara, Sr. Lucia wrote: “The final battle between the Lord and the reign of Satan will be about marriage and the family… this is the decisive issue.” [...]
There are many mysteries hidden in the great Christmas feast of the Epiphany. These mysteries bring light to the spiritual life. Let us consider “Twelve Lights of Epiphany”, that is, twelve examples of mysteries and lessons for the spiritual life contained in this great feast. For example: The world is against Christ, rejects His light, and denies the supernatural. Yet a mysterious interplay between grace and nature pervades our life. In fact, every single human being is born to adore Christ as Lord, God, and King, and to worship Him as He commands. We will face many trials, but must relentlessly [...]
St. Agnes of Rome is honored as both virgin and martyr. Her intercession is invoked every day by Holy Mother Church in the Roman Canon. St. Ambrose sung her praises as an exemplary model of purity in body and faith. Let us seek her intercession using the prayers offered by the Church on her feast day.
Two key themes of the Christmas season are [1] adoration of the Child Jesus who is God and King; and [2] the joy of salvation. At Christmas, our Lady brought forth Christ into the world; at Fatima she does the same with even greater power. Let us draw light from the inexhaustible grace of Christmas through her message at Fatima. It is the gospel message and is most necessary for our time. At the Wedding of Cana, Mary told her Son, “They have no wine” and in turn He commanded the servants to address her request and performed a great miracle. [...]
