Cardinal Sarah's Revelation: Why Sleeping With a Rosary Invites a Cascad...

 Have you ever heard or seen the "CROSS OF FORGIVENESS " Inside the monastery of Santa Ana and San José in Cordoba, there is an ancient cross known as the Cross of Forgiveness. This unique crucifix depicts Jesus with His right hand hanging down towards the ground, a distinct and significant feature that has a remarkable story behind it. One day, a sinner approached the priest under this cross to confess his grave sins. The priest, known for his strictness, imposed a severe penance. The man repented but soon fell into sin again and returned for another confession. This time, the priest warned him that it would be the last time he forgave him.Months later, the sinner succumbed to the same temptations and came back for confession. Kneeling beneath the cross, he begged for forgiveness once more. The priest, frustrated, refused absolution and sternly rebuked the man, telling him not to play with God’s mercy. At that moment, a noise was heard, and the right hand of Jesus on the cross suddenly dropped down. A voice resonated, saying, “I am the one who shed blood on this person, not you.” This miraculous event left everyone in awe and since then, the right hand of Jesus remains in this position as a powerful reminder of the infinite mercy of our divine Savior. The Cross of Forgiveness stands as a testament to the boundless compassion and mercy of Jesus Christ. It serves as a profound symbol that no matter how many times one falls, God’s forgiveness is always available to those who are truly repent. This story from the monastery of Santa Ana and San José continues to inspire and remind the faithful of the depth of God’s love and forgiveness.

 Lesningsgudstjenesten Den 8 august 2026, lørdag Dominicus präst Gud, kom meg til hjelp Herre, vær snar til frelse. Ære være Faderen og Sønnen og den Hellige Ånd. Som det var i opphavet, så nå og alltid og i all evighet. Amen. (Halleluja!) Hymne Himlene, Herre, forteller din ære, Mesteren prises av hvelvingen blå. Solen og månen og stjernenes hære sier oss grant hva din makt kan formå. Ei er det ord eller tale som lyder, over all jorden dog når deres røst. Folkeferd alle det vitnesbyrd tyder, gjenklang det har i hvert menneskebryst. Solen går frem som en brudgom i smykke, løper sin bane med kraft som en helt, vekker av jorden til livsgledens lykke skapningen all under himmelens telt. Dag etter dag om din miskunnhet melder, som våre dager, så styrke vi fikk. Natthimlens blinkende øyne forteller: Ei sover du om til hvile vi gikk. Herre, ditt ord er vårt lys fra det høye, rent og fullkomment og evig som du, åpner for sannhet og livet vårt øye, omvender sjelen, gir visdom i hu. Å, at jeg aldri fra det måtte vanke! Glem hva jeg syndet og lær meg ditt bud! Å, at jeg kunne i tale og tanke tekkes deg, Herre, min klippe, min Gud! Ant. 1 Herren alene gjør store under, for evig varer hans miskunn. Salme 136 Påskehymne Å tale om Guds verk er å lovprise dem (Cassio) I Lovpris Herren, for han er god, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Lovpris gudenes Gud, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Lovpris herrenes Herre, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Han alene gjør store under, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Han skapte himlene med visdom, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Han festet jorden over vannene, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Han skapte de store lys, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Solen til å råde om dagen, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Måne og stjerner til å råde om natten, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Ære være Faderen og Sønnen * og den Hellige And, som det var i opphavet, så nå og alltid * og i all evighet. Amen. Ant. 1 Herren alene gjør store under, for evig varer hans miskunn. Ant. 2 Han førte Israel ut fra Egypt med veldig hånd og utstrakt arm. II Han slo Egyptens førstefødte, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Han førte Israel ut fra dem, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Med veldig hånd og utstrakt arm, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Han kløvde Sivsjøens vann i to, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Lot Israel gå tørrskodd over, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Farao og hans hær ble styrtet i sjøen, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Ære være Faderen og Sønnen * og den Hellige And, som det var i opphavet, så nå og alltid * og i all evighet. Amen. Ant. 2 Han førte Israel ut fra Egypt med veldig hånd og utstrakt arm. Ant. 3 Lovpris himmelens Gud, for han frelste oss fra våra fiender. III Gjennom ørkenen førte han sitt folk, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Han felte store konger, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Han drepte mektige fyrster, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Amorittenes konge, Sihon, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Og, konge i Basan, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Han gav dem landet i arv, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Til odel og eie for Israel, sin tjener, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Han kom oss ihu i vår ringhet, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Han frelste oss fra våre fiender, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Det er han som gir føde til alt som lever, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Lovpris himmelens Gud, * for evig varer hans miskunn! Ære være Faderen og Sønnen * og den Hellige And, som det var i opphavet, så nå og alltid * og i all evighet. Amen. Ant. 3 Lovpris himmelens Gud, for han frelste oss fra våra fiender. Herre, vis meg dine veier. Og lær meg dine stier. Först läs Ho 5:14-7:2 från profeten Hosea. Gud ska ha varaktig trohet . Så säger Herren: "Sannerligen är jag som ett lejon mot Efraim, som ett ungt lejon mot Judas säd." Ja, jag sliter i bitar och går därifrån. Jag släpar iväg, och inget skrot. Jag kommer att gå min väg och återvända till min plats tills de erkänner sin skuld och söker mitt ansikte. I sin nöd kommer de att leta efter mig. Kom, låt oss vända oss till Herren. Ty den som slet i bitar ska hela oss; Den som slog till ska förena våra sår. Han för oss tillbaka till livet efter två dagar, den tredje dagen han uppväcker oss, så att vi kan leva före honom. Låt oss lära känna Herren, låt oss söka att lära känna Honom! Han kommer lika säkert som morgonljuset. Han kommer till oss som regnet, som vårregnet som blöter jorden. Vad ska jag göra med dig, Ephraim? Vad ska jag göra med dig, Judah? Deras lojalitet är som ett morgonmoln, som dagg som försvunnit tidigt. Därför ska jag slå dem mot profeterna, det ska jag dödar dem med ord från min mun; Mina domar mot dig går ut som ljuset. För jag vill ha trofasthet, inte offer, gudfruktsamhet snarare än brännoffer. De bröt förbundet i Adam, där de var otrogna mot mig. Gilead är en stad av skurkar, den är full av blodspår. Prästflocken är som rövare som lurar efter människor; de mördar på vägen till Sikem. Ja, skamlösa gärningar de har gjort. I Israels hus ser jag hemska saker; vem driver Ephraim otukt, Israel vanhelgar sig självt. Judah, en skörd har också utsetts för dig. När jag vänder mitt folks öde, när jag gör Israel väl, då kommer Eframs skuld att avslöjas, och Samarias ondska ska avslöjas. The Förräderifaror, tjuvar bryter sig in och rånare härjar gatorna. De tänker inte på att jag minns all deras ondska. Men nu är de omgivna av sina fungerar, jag har dem framför mina ögon. Responsorium Matt 9,13; Hos 6,6.4 Gå och lär dig vad detta betyder: * Det är barmhärtighet jag vill ha, inte offer, och gudfruktsamhet snarare än brännoffer. Deras kärlek är som ett morgonmoln, som dagg som försvinner tidigt. * Det är barmhärtighet jag vill ha, inte offer, och gudsfruktsamhet snarare än brännoffer. Annan läsning: Från olika skrifter om dominikanordens historia. Han talade antingen med Gud eller med Gud – Dominic var så rättskaffen på sitt sätt, så ivrig i sin fromhet att det var helt klart att han var ett kärl för heder och nåd. Han hade en hög grad av frid, förutom när hans medkänsla och barmhärtighet överväldigade honom. Och eftersom glädje i hjärtat tänder ansiktet, visade han den inre människans fridfullhet genom den godhet och glädje som lyste från hans ansikte. Överallt visade han sig i ord och handling som en evangeliets man. Under dagen var ingen mer social och glad i sällskap med bröderna och följeslagarna. Om På natten var ingen mer ivrig och uthållig att vaka och be. Han talade nästan uteslutande med Gud, det vill säga i bön eller om Gud, och detta lämnade han till sina bröder I hjärtat. Ofta bad han också en särskild bön till Gud att han nådigt skulle ge honom en sann välgörenhet, som arbetar för mänsklighetens frälsning. För att han trodde att han verkligen skulle bli medlem av Kristi kropp först när han använde all sin energi för att vinna själar, som allas Frälsare, Herren Jesus, fullständigt offrade sig själv för vår frälsning. Och så, i enlighet med Guds länge hållna plan, instiftade han Predikande brödernas orden. Envist uppmuntrade han sina bröder muntligt och skriftligt att alltid studera Nya och Gamla testamentet. Han bar alltid med sig Matteusevangeliet och Paulus brev, och han studerade dem så noggrant att han nästan kunde dem utantill. Två eller tre gånger valdes han till biskop, men han tackade nej varje gång. För istället för att vara biskop ville han leva i fattigdom med sina bröder. Han höll sin kyskhet fläckfri resten av sitt liv. Han skulle vilja bli piskad och styckad och dö för sin tro på Kristus. Om honom sade Gregorius den nionde: "Jag har känt honom som en man som fullt ut följde apostlarnas livsväg, och som i himlen utan tvekan har deltagit i apostlarnas härlighet." Responsorium Jf. Sir 48,1; Mal 2,6 En ny frälsningspredikant dök upp som eld, * Och hans ord glödde som en fackla. Sanningens lag fanns i hans mun, och ondska fanns inte på hans läppar. * Och hans ord glödde som en fackla. Böneherre , stärker din kyrka genom den salige Dominikus förtjänster och läror. Må han som var en stor predikant av din sanning på jorden förböna för oss hos dig i himlen. Vid vår Herre Jesus Kristus din Son, som lever och regerar med dig i den Helige Andes enhet, Gud från evighet till evighet. Okategoriserat Kortpredikan S. Dominicus, präst Ingmar Svanteson 08/08 – Hab 1:12-2:4 Ps 9:8-13 Matt 17:14-20 – ”Ännu måste synen vänta på sin tid”, sade profeten. Men han tillfogade ett löfte: ”synen skall inte slå fel”. Det profetordet var viktigt för moder Magda Wollter, grundarinnan av Jesu Moder Marias systra­skap, som ett hoppets löfte om att ett kloster skulle byggas. Klostret kom till stånd, i kraft av systrar­nas tro. Men ”synen” tycks ständigt vänta på sin fullbordan. När lärjungarna frågar varför de inte kunde rädda pojken som plågades av en de­mo­n får de svaret: ”Därför att er tro var svag.” Ordet ”tro” hos profeten är nära förbundet med ”trohet”.[1] Den tro­heten växer ur trons uthålliga för­tröstan på att löftena ”inte skall slå fel”. På 1200-talet försökte man övertyga albigenserna i södra Fran­krike om deras heresi för att återvinna dem till Kyrkan. Men de verk­tyg som an­vändes var inte de bästa. Dominicus försökte med sak­lig, respektfull ar­gumentation – och med bön, trons bön. Jesus klagar: ”Hur länge måste jag vara kvar hos er? Hur länge måste jag stå ut med er?” Dominicus frå­gar: ”Hur skall det gå för syndarna?” Han an­vände nät­terna till bön. Som bagage på sina vandring­ar ha­de han ba­ra delar av Nya Testa­men­tet – och Cassia­nus. På ivriga fötter blev han en glädjens budbärare för hela Europa. Hans behag­fulla ansikte har man inte glömt. Det återspeglade den tro­het som växer ur tron. Den tron väcker hopp, hoppet att profetens syn inte skall slå fel. [1] Så över­sätter Bibel 2000. Ingmar Svanteson Dagens Andakt – Varför är det så svårt att förlåta pedherskoog profilbild Av pedherskoog den 8 augusti, 2026 8 augusti 2026 ”För om ni förlåter människorna deras överträdelser, ska er himmelske Far också förlåta er. Men om ni inte förlåter människorna, ska inte heller er Far förlåta era överträdelser.” — Matteus Evangelium — — 6:14-15 — Varför har vi så svårt att förlåta? Den frågan har kommit till mig gång efter annan. Och för varje gång blir det bar mer och mer närgånget djupt inom mig. Den frågan skaver verkligen inom mig. Jag är väl medveten om dess komplexitet. Men jag är lika medveten om dess enkelhet. Förlåtelse är vi alla behov av någon gång i livet. Då tänker jag att vi mycket gärna får den förlåtelse vi efterfrågar. Att vi mycket gärna vill att den vi ber om förlåtelse ska bekräfta det med ett ärligt ”Jag förlåter dig”! När så inte kan ske är det enlidelse vi får bära på. Möjligen kan vi trycka ner den känslan för en tid. Men jag uppfattar det som att den obehagliga känslan av att inte blivit förlåten påminner oss gånge feer gång med något som liknar ångest. I alla fall närbesläktat med ångest. Om vi vänder på det så kan det bli så mycket mer komplicerat. När vi själva är drabbade och skall ge förlåtelse. Somliga gånger har vi det lättare att förlåta helt klart. Men ibland verkar det vara helt omöjligt. Jag kan se en sak som försvårar det. Det är när vi drabbats av bitterhet. Då verkar det vara mycket svårt att förlåta. Och kanske ligger det i bitterhetens snärjande rot. Den godtar ingen förlåtelse. En anan sak jag ser det är när vi bedömer det som hänt så ofattbart fel att för det kan man inte få förlåtelse. Då är det som att den förlåtande genen vi har fått i vårt inre har blivit skadad, rejält skadad. Jag fick frågan en gång om Gud kunde förlåta en mördare. Jag insåg djupet i frågan. Stannade upp och beräknade kostnaden för svaret. Vad var korrekt eller inte korrekt. Men så insåg jag det djupaste svaret. Mitt svar blev ”Ja, Gud kan förlåta allt hos den som ärligt ber om förlåtelse för det man gjort”. Vid det tillfället togs inte det svaret emot. För det var ju ”helt omöjligt”. Bibeln är rätt tydlig här: ”För om ni förlåter människorna deras överträdelser, ska er himmelske Far också förlåta er. Men om ni inte förlåter människorna, ska inte heller er Far förlåta era överträdelser. ” Matteusevangeliet 6:14-15 Ett av alla ställen. Rövaren på korset intill Jesus förlät Jesus där och då. Som att förstärka detta skriver Lukas: ”Med det mått som ni mäter med ska det mätas upp åt er” Så varför är det så svårt att förlåta? 🙏 Herre, hjälp mig att förlåta som du förlåter. Amen Image I saw in prayer and rendered by James Bowman “My human heart beats in union with my divinity; your heart beats in rhythm with My heart. That means you partake of my divinity, which makes you saints.” Jesus to Elizabeth Kindlemann As you all may know, Ashley Blackburn and I had written a book called Consecration to the Holy Family that was approved by our Diocese with the nihil obstat and imprimatur for publishing in 2024. In that book we followed the 7 virtues as we prayed for each of the members of our families. About a year later, Father Donald Calloway and Scott L. Smith Jr, wrote 33 days to the Holy Family, an excellent and very different consecration that is wonderful to do. I myself have completed it and I loved it. In that book Father Calloway mentioned that there aren’t many Litanies to the Holy Family. He had found one to use that was in the book, but expressed there weren’t any others. I contacted Ashley and said, let’s write a Litany to the Holy Family. We did. Today we got approval from the Vicar General, Fr. John Hammond of the Diocese of Nashville. We hope this prayer brings you closer to the Holy Family. FOUR HEARTS LITANY TO THE HOLY FAMILY Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy, Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy. Christ hear us, Christ graciously hear us. God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. Sacred Heart of Jesus, unite my heart to yours Immaculate Heart of Mary, unite my heart to yours Most Chaste Heart of Joseph, unite my heart to yours Holy Family of Nazareth, unite my heart to yours That I may love as you love, unite my heart to yours That I may live a life of virtue, unite my heart to yours That I may grow in holiness every day, unite my heart to yours That I may be a generous giver, unite my heart to yours That I may honor my father and mother, unite my heart to yours That I may serve others faithfully, unite my heart to yours That I may rebuke all evil thoughts, unite my heart to yours That I may cast off all bitterness, unite my heart to yours That I may forgive as I am forgiven, unite my heart to yours That I may pray for my enemies, unite my heart to yours That I may seek to understand others, unite my heart to yours That I may cease to judge others, unite my heart to yours That I may extend mercy to others, unite my heart to yours That I may put others first, unite my heart to yours That I may accept God’s will in all things, unite my heart to yours That I may live out my vocation well, unite my heart to yours That I may celebrate the gift of life, unite my heart to yours That I may embrace a holy death, unite my heart to yours That I may cherish those closest to me, unite my heart to yours That I may hand on the faith, unite my heart to yours That I may be grateful for the present moment, unite my heart to yours That I may rejoice in the Lord always, unite my heart to yours That I may glorify God’s Name, unite my heart to yours That I may have faith in the darkness, unite my heart to yours That I may be a light to the nations, unite my heart to yours That I may comfort the sick and dying, unite my heart to yours That I may accept my weakness, unite my heart to yours That I may return to the Lord always, unite my heart to yours That I may take up my cross, unite my heart to yours That I may suffer well, unite my heart to yours That I may lay down my life in love, unite my heart to yours That I may pray without ceasing, unite my heart to yours That I may enter Sabbath Rest, unite my heart to yours That I may receive the love of the Father, unite my heart to yours That I may accept the love of my neighbor, unite my heart to yours That I may love God with my whole heart, unite my heart to yours That I may love God with my whole mind, unite my heart to yours That I may love God with my whole soul, unite my heart to yours That I may love my neighbor as myself, unite my heart to yours Divine Child Jesus Adoration of Families, save us Our Lady Healer of Families, pray for us Saint Joseph Anchor of Families, pray for us O Holy Family of Nazareth, house of love and union, help me to be a temple of holiness through which the healing of God may flow. Graft my heart into the Holy Family, so that it may beat in unison with yours. May you call me Beloved. May my heart be pure and undefiled. May I renounce all ideology of Satan. May my home be filled with the peace that surpasses understanding. May my family be blessed for generations and by your grace, become a holy family. And when my time draws near may I be welcomed into the glory of the Beatific Vision. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. A Novena In Honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus AND A Litany of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Because of the most sinful and depraved state of the world around us and most especially to offer some tiny consolation to the Most Adorable and Loving Heart of our Most Merciful and Sweetest Lord Jesus, we should never forget the horrors of the perversions and blasphemies of the so-called ‘pride month’ so terribly adopting this Sacred Month of June and too, the evils perpetrated upon our children under this banner! When praying the Litany of Reparation may we make special remembrance of these evils. Every day unite your prayers and adorations with those of the Most Holy Virgin and of one of the Nine Choirs of Angels and Saints, to honour one of the dispositions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to practise a particular virtue in Its honour. THE FOURTH DAY With the Blessed Virgin, the Dominations and the Holy Martyrs. Adore the Sacred Heart of Jesus, burning with love for you and implore, as a favour, that your love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus may be increased. Practice-–Visit the Sacred Heart, as often as possible, to render to It your thanksgiving, for the love It bears for you and to profess your love for It. Prayer of St Alphonsus Liguori to the Sacred Heart O Adorable Heart of my Jesus, Heart created expressly. for the love of men! Until now, I have shown towards Thee only ingratitude. Pardon me, O my Jesus. Heart of my Jesus, Abyss of Love and of Mercy, how is it possible, hat I do not die of sorrow when I reflect on Thy Goodness to me and my ingratitude to Thee? Thou, my Creator, after having created me, hast given Thy Blood and Thy Life for me and, not content with this, Thou hast invented a means of offering Thyself everyday for me, in the Holy Eucharist, exposing Thyself to a thousand insults and outrages. Ah, Jesus, do Thou wound my heart with a great contrition for my sins and a lively love for Thee. Through Thy Tears and Thy Blood, give me the grace of perseverance in Thy fervent love, until I breathe my last sigh. Amen. A Litany of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus O Sacred Heart, hear us. Sacred Heart, graciously hear us. For the forgetfulness and ingratitude of men, We will console Thee, O Lord. * For the way Thou art deserted in Thy Tabernacle, * For the crimes of sinners, * For the blasphemies uttered against Thee, * For the sacrileges which profane Thy Sacrament of Love, * For the coldness of the greater part of Thy children, * For the abuse of Thy grace, * For our own unfaithfulness, * For the incomprehensible hardness of our hearts, * For our long delay in loving Thee, * For Thy bitter sadness at the loss of souls, * For Thy long waiting at the door of our hearts, * For Thy loving sighs, * For Thy loving tears, * For Thy loving imprisonment, * For Thy loving death. * Learn of Me: Because I am meek and humble of heart. O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who know Thee not, Have mercy on me as Thou seest best. ** O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who do not believe in Thee, ** O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who are inconstant and ungrateful, ** O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow during the whole course of Thy mortal life, ** O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow in Thy agony and in Thy death, ** O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who neglect their eternal salvation, ** O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who offer the most Holy Sacrifice unworthily, ** Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for the scarcity of those who love Thee fervently, ** Sweet Heart of Jesus: Be not my Judge but my Saviour. O Jesus, loveliest of all beauty, wash me more and more from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin, that, purified by Thee, I may approach to Thee, the pure One, and may be worthy to dwell in “Thy Heart all the days of my life, that I may both see and do Thy will. For this cause was Thy side pierced, that an entrance might be opened for us. Who is there who would not love this wounded Heart? Who would not return love for love to Him that hath loved so well? Amen. O adorable Heart of Jesus, if men did but know Thee: How they would love Thee! If you would prefer the Sacred Heart Novena by St Alphonsus Liguorim with Reflectios – below is Day Four: https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/17/novena-in-honour-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-day-four-17-june/ OR: Another Novena with Scriptural Reflections by Sacred Space: https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/13/novena-in-honour-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-day-four-13-june/ Faith Opens the Locked Heart Faith Opens the Locked Heart - featured image July 3, 2026 – Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070326.cfm) After being hurt by betrayal, we might become very afraid to love again. After failing several times, we stop believing in ourselves. After experiencing disappointment, others also become suspicious of everyone around them. Slowly, through these experiences, we begin to build walls around our hearts. We might continue living, but we no longer allow anyone to come close to us. This is what Thomas was going through whose feast we celebrate today. The Gospel does not portray Thomas as a stubborn man who simply refused to believe. Rather, it presents a disciple who was deeply wounded. He had given everything to follow Jesus. Then, he saw his Master arrested, crucified, and buried. His hopes collapsed. When the other disciples joyfully announced, “We have seen the Lord,” Thomas could not immediately believe. His heart had become more tightly locked than the doors of the Upper Room. That is why he said, “Unless I see the mark of the nails and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” His words came not only from doubt but from pain and fear. The wonder of the Gospel is that Jesus did not reject Thomas because of his questions. Eight days later, the Risen Lord came once again. He entered the room despite the locked doors and went directly to Thomas. Jesus did not shame him or scold him. Instead, He invited him, “Put your finger here… put your hand into my side. Do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Indeed, Jesus met Thomas exactly where he was. He entered Thomas’ fears, confusion, and disappointment. Before asking Thomas to believe, Jesus first allowed Thomas to touch His wounds. Today, the Gospel teaches us that faith also begins when we allow Jesus to enter the very places we have tried to hide. These are the wounds we do not want others to see, or the grief we have buried, or the disappointments we carry, and the fears that quietly govern our decisions. Certainly, many of us also have locked hearts. We lock ourselves because we fear being rejected again. We withdraw after painful relationships. We become defensive after being criticized. We cling to old habits because they feel safer than change. We avoid trusting God completely because we are afraid of losing control. Yet, the Risen Christ continues to stand before us, not outside the door waiting for us to become perfect, but inside our fears, saying the same words: “Peace be with you… Do not be unbelieving, but believe.” The first reading from the Letter to the Ephesians helps us understand why faith matters so much. St. Paul reminds the Christians that they are “no longer strangers and sojourners, but fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God.“ They are like living stones built upon the foundation of the Apostles, with Christ Himself as the cornerstone. A house cannot stand if its foundation is weak. In the same way, our lives cannot remain stable if fear becomes our foundation. Only faith in Christ can hold us together. When Jesus becomes the cornerstone of our lives, our wounds no longer define us. Our failures no longer imprison us. And our fears no longer dictate our future. Thomas discovered this. The disciple who once doubted became the Apostle who courageously proclaimed Christ, even to distant lands. His encounter with the wounded yet risen Lord transformed fear into faith and doubt into courageous witness. On this feast of the Apostle Thomas, the Lord is not asking us to have a perfect faith. Jesus, rather, invites us to bring our imperfect hearts to Him. When we allow Jesus to touch our wounds, we also become capable of touching the wounds of others with patience instead of judgment and with hope instead of despair. Indeed, faith always opens what fear has locked. And so, whenever fear begins to close your heart, remember the words of Jesus, “Do not be unbelieving, but believe.” 11th Sunday – Harassed and Helpless - featured image Matthew 9:36-10:8 Yesterday was the feast of St Anthony of Padua. And Friday was the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. Strangely, both these feasts are echoed in the gospel for today. Thirteenth-century Italy experienced what historians call the Commercial Revolution — it was a rapid transformation of society and as disorienting as the Industrial Revolution or the changes globalisation and AI have produced/producing in our own day. Italian city states became enormously wealthy. International trade was flourishing and for the first time, a new class of people – the merchant class – broke through the stratified structure of medieval society. These were not nobles, not peasants and not clergy; they were tradesmen, craftsmen, bankers, lawyers and they were the newly rich. In other words, they had a lot of money and no current rules about who they were supposed to be in society. It is always very freeing when suddenly something like this uproots fixed structures, but also very disorienting and chaotic. And flooding into these same cities came the rural poor looking for work— uprooted, anonymous, without the old structures of village and manor to hold them. It meant that there was a breakdown of moral order; a lot of new rich people, a lot of poor at the same time, a lot of people exploring their new-found powers and what they could be, leaving a lot of people broken and confused at the same time. It’s not dissimilar to our own day, which is of course constantly in flux, rather than have any stability. But this was the scenario that Francis was responding to. It was into this gap — between the newly rich who were losing their souls and the newly poor who were losing everything else — that Francis of Assisi sent his friars. Francis himself was the son of a trader who became very wealthy through cloth trade: and he had to strip away that cloth to be clothed in Christ, by being clothed in the Church. And Francis would cut the cloth which so many others would be clothed in, in their imitation of Christ. And it was into the same scenario of crowded, prosperous, anxious streets of Padua that Anthony came to preach. Francis and Anthony, among others, were so effective because in their own lives, they had found their identity, which involved a painful search, not in the shifting culture but in the Mercy of Jesus Christ. I’m thinking of this today as we hear in the gospel how Jesus sees a crowd which is harassed and helpless. The crowds are of course those that have not made a decision one way or another; they are interested, perhaps in this new Rabbi; some for the miracles, some out of curiosity, some a bit suspicious but what unites them is their lack of full commitment to following Jesus. They are not disciples. The result is that they are harassed and dejected, which translates two very strong Greek words. Harassed can be translated thrown around, almost like a corpse; you feel beaten down, crushed, perhaps. The word could also be translated confused and disoriented. It might be what we often experience today in our world. This is the kind of people Francis found, it is what we find ourselves in today. We are overwhelmed by so many things, we are always distracted. We have no centre. And in the face of this, Christ doesn’t walk by saying, well, you know what to do, keep the Law. I told you to follow me and you refused. Christ is moved instead in the very depths of his being with compassion. This is again a poor translation of a very strong Greek word splanchnizomai which is to be moved from the core of one’s being; combining the tender compassion of a mother with a warrior’s response to injustice. This is what the image of the Sacred Heart captures, maybe the one image can summarise the Scriptures. This compassion from the heart of Jesus is the source of mission. Jesus calls twelve men to himself and sends them out on his authority. What is this authority? It is the power that his disciples have to make his Mercy present in the world. The body of people called to make this happen is the Church, an extension of the heart of Jesus. It is when we lose sight of this mission or start focusing simply on authority for authority’s sake, that the worst of the Church’s institutionalism comes out. It is carried out in a particular way through the priesthood; the bishops being the successors of the apostles. We do not have the privilege of meeting Jesus when he walked this world; but he is present in and through his Church. Especially through the sacraments, Christ becomes present to us. There is a literal fulfilment of these even today, just as there was in Jesus’ time and in Francis’ time. But in a very ‘ordinary’ way, the Church fulfils the same mission he called and gave to the apostles: drive out demons, heal the sick. Demons are real, and they are forces which harass us, powers bigger than us. The ministry of the exorcist is more in demand now than ever. Through Reconciliation, someone who is dead spiritually, can be brought back to life. People who come in overburdened, helpless, leave joyful, with a new freedom. The Anointing of the Sick, enables one to find new strength in the face of suffering. It gives them a new strength, healing them spiritually. In the Eucharist, Christ himself becomes present, to us, accompanying us in our life. But it is not just priests: all Christians are called as an alter-Christus to heal the sick, drive out demons, cleanse lepers and raise the dead. The whole of Israel, as we read in the first reading, is called to be a priestly nation. It is this common or baptismal priesthood which brings about Christ’s kingdom and mission in the world. Francis was not a priest, but he changed the world. How do you do this as a lay person? These are firstly charismatic gifts, not ministerial gifts – anyone can have them. But more ordinarily, you can raise the dead – give someone hope in their desperation by listening to them. But maybe also pray for them and with them, invite them to Church, open the Bible to them. You can bring healing and peace in a situation of conflict. Is this proselytism? Only if done without love. If someone is suffering, is it wrong to bring Jesus to them? To even ask the question is to say that Jesus is just an idea – rather than the living, Merciful heart of God who wants to heal everyone he meets. God wants to make his Mercy present in the world, in our lives – and he wants to do so through his Church, you and me. In this month of June, dedicated to the Sacred Heart, let us see the Church and ourselves with new eyes, as an extension of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Perhaps, consider enthroning the Sacred Heart in your homes. Allow his love and his mercy to heal your wounds. And let that flow forth wherever you might be. Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Ceremony in 12 Steps Sacred Heart Enthronement Ceremony in 12 Steps “Welcome the presence of the Heart of Christ, entrusting your home to Him…Seek to draw from this open heart the saving and healing love that is so necessary for families today…in order to build a civilization of love.” - Pope St. John Paul II In the 17th century our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and promised eternal salvation to those who will receive Holy Communion on nine consecutive First Fridays in honor of His Sacred Heart. Our Lord revealed that wherever the image of His Sacred Heart was exposed and given special honor, great blessings and graces would abound. One way to accomplish this goal is to do a formal enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the home. It is very simple act that will bring countless blessings to the family. The Enthronement is more than a blessing of the Sacred Heart of Jesus picture for the home. It is the dedication of a person and family to the Divine Heart of Jesus, to live in union with Him by love, grace and obedience to His Commandments. The Enthronement brings countless graces and blessings, as enumerated in the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus made to St. Margaret Mary. Enthronement to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a world-wide apostolate begun in France in 1907 by Fr. Mateo Crawley-Boevey, SSCC, to carry on the work of spreading the Sacred Heart devotion that had begun in France under St. Margaret Mary Alocoque. He believed that in order to win souls for Christ and build a civilization of love, it must start with the evangelization of the family. The Sacred Heart of Jesus enthronement ceremony was approved by Pope St. Pius X in 1908, and since then this apostolate has enjoyed much success as homes all over the world have enthroned Jesus as their Lord and King. Most recently it has been featured as a way for families to prepare for and respond to the spiritual initiatives of the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, attended by Pope Francis. Read more: How to Plan a Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Ceremony at Your Home Ceremony Materials To obtain the official printed materials needed for the enthronement including a ceremony certificate, you can contact the Sacred Heart Apostolate . You can also find an online version of the official ceremony here and here . Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Ceremony in 12 Steps 1. Go to Mass. It is recommended to have Mass celebrated for the intentions of the family on the day of the Enthronement, or at least to attend Mass as a Family and to receive Holy Communion on the Sunday prior to the enthronement. 2. Invite a priest. The presence of a cleric will make this consecration a more solemn occasion, and the ceremony involves prayers and a blessing to be said by him. 3. Prepare the altar. Put in order your house for the enthronement and have holy water ready. You may decorate a white cloth, beautifully decorated with flowers and candles. The picture or statue should be placed on a small table near this "throne" before the ceremony. 4. Blessing of the home. At the set hour, parents and children gather in the main room for the ceremony. Relatives and friends can be invited. 5. The blessing of the image of the S acred H eart of Jesus. It is important to have a priest preside at the ceremony, but when it is impossible to have him present, the image can be blessed beforehand. 6. The enthronement of the image. The head of the family sets up the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in a place of honor, in order to render homage to the reign of the love of Jesus Christ always. 7. Prayer of the C reed. After the blessing, in order to give explicit expression to the faith of the family, all recite the Apostles’ Creed out loud and standing. 8. Words or message of who presides over the enthronement. Everyone is seated while the priest addresses a few words to those present. 9. The formula of consecration. This is a form approved by St. Pius X on May 19, 1908 and is required as such to gain the indulgences. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, Who didst make known to St. Margaret Mary Thine ardent desire to reign over Christian families, behold us assembled here today to proclaim Thine absolute dominion over our home. Henceforth we purpose to lead a life like unto Thine so that amongst us may flourish the virtues for which Thou didst promise peace on earth, and for this end we will banish from our midst the spirit of the world which Thou dost abhor so much. Thou wilt reign over our understanding by the simplicity of our faith. Thou wilt reign over our hearts by an ardent love for Thee; and may the flame of this love be ever kept burning in our hearts by the frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist. Deign, O Divine Heart, to preside over our meetings, to bless our undertakings both spiritual and temporal, to banish all worry and care, to sanctify our joys and soothe our sorrows. If any of us should ever have the misfortune to grieve Thy Sacred Heart, remind him of Thy goodness and mercy towards the repentant sinner. Lastly when the hour of separation will sound and death will plunge our home into mourning, then shall we all and every one of us be resigned to Thy eternal de­crees, and seek consolation in the thought that we shall one day be reunited in heaven, where we shall sing the praises and blessings of Thy Sacred Heart for all eternity. May the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the glorious Patriarch St. Joseph offer Thee this our Consecration and remind us of the same all the days of our life. Glory to the Divine Heart of Jesus, our King and our Father! 10. Prayer for the missing and deceased. Passed away family members should be called to mind. Thus say one Our Father and one Hail Mary for these, and for those who are absent and missing. 11. Consecration of children. While not an official part of the enthronement , the children may recite a poem or sing a hymn in honor of the Sacred Heart. This is a short one: Most sweet Jesus, Divine Friend of children, receive our hearts, make them pure, holy and happy; receive also our bodies, our souls, and all our strength. We consecrate ourselves to Thee now and forever. Be Thou alone our King. All our thoughts, and our words, our actions, and our prayers, we consecrate to Thee, our Friend and our King. 12. Final benediction. The priest blesses those present and a certificate of enthronement can be signed by the priest and the family. Learn more about the Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion Lördag den 8 augusti Läsning Hab 1:12–2:4 Du är ju till sedan urtiden, Herre, min Gud, min Helige, du skall aldrig dö. Herre, har du satt dem att skipa rättvisa ? Du klippa, har du skapat dem till att straffa ? Du vars blick är för ren för det onda, du som inte uthärdar våldet – hur kan du åse de svekfullas dåd, tiga när de onda slukar dem som har rätt? Du har låtit människor bli som havets fiskar, den myllrande skaran utan härskare. De onda drar upp dem alla med krok, halar in dem med sina garn, samlar dem i sina nät. Därför gläds de och jublar, därför offrar de åt sina garn och tänder offereld åt sina nät, som låter dem leva i överflöd och ger dem den rika födan. Skall de få fortsätta att dra sina svärd och slakta folken utan förskoning ? Jag skall ställa mig på vakt, gå till min post och spana. Jag vill se vad han skall säga till mig, vilket svar jag får på min klagan. Herren svarade mig : Skriv ner det du får se med tydlig skrift på tavlor, så att det blir lätt att läsa, ty synen vittnar om den bestämda tiden, den talar om slutet, den slår inte fel. Om uppfyllelsen dröjer, så vänta tåligt, den kommer förvisso, den uteblir inte. Se, den falske far bort med vinden, men troheten räddar den rättfärdiges liv. Responsoriepsalm Ps 9:8–13 (R. 11b) R. Du, Herre, överger ingen som söker dig. Herren tronar i evighet, sin tron har han berett till dom. Med rättfärdighet skall han döma jorden, med rättvisa skipa lag bland folken. R. Så blir Herren en borg för den förtryckte, en borg i tider av nöd, och de som känner ditt namn förtröstar på dig, ty du, Herre, överger ingen som söker dig. R. Lovsjung Herren, som bor i Sion, förkunna bland folken hans gärningar. Ty han som hämnas blodsdåd har kommit ihåg de förtryckta, han har inte glömt deras klagorop. R. Halleluja Jfr 2 Tim 1:10 V. Vår frälsare Kristus Jesus har utplånat döden och dragit liv och oförgänglighet fram i ljuset genom evangeliet. Evangelium Matt 17:14–20 Vid den tiden kom en man fram och föll på knä för Jesus och sade : ”Herre, förbarma dig över min son. Han är fallandesjuk och plågas svårt. Ibland ramlar han i elden och ibland i vattnet. Jag tog honom till dina lärjungar, och de kunde inte bota honom.” Jesus svarade : ”Detta fördärvade släkte som inte vill tro ! Hur länge måste jag vara kvar hos er ? Hur länge måste jag stå ut med er ? För hit honom till mig.” Jesus talade strängt till pojken, och demonen for ut ur honom, och från den stunden var han botad. När de var ensamma, kom lärjungarna fram till Jesus och frågade : ”Varför kunde inte vi driva ut demonen ?” Han svarade : ”Därför att er tro var svag. Sannerligen, om ni har tro så stor som ett senapskorn, kan ni säga till det här berget : Flytta dig dit bort, och det kommer att flytta sig. Ingenting blir omöjligt för er.”

Sick for 38 years and healed by Jesus, John 5:14

Aug7

What could be worse than being sick/paralyzed for 38 years?

We can read below from the NKJV about a very sick man in Jerusalem who was healed by Jesus (at the Sheep Gate) despite that the man had been very sick for 38 years. The text describes a pool, or a reservoir, with porticoes where large numbers of sick people were waiting for the chance to get down to the healing water in the pool. It was not only a matter of getting down to the water itself, because the water could potentially only heal a  person if it was stirred in a certain way.  

John 5:2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 5Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”7The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”8Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. 10The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”11He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’ ”12Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. 14Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. SIN NO MORE, LEST A WORSE THING COME TO YOU.”15The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.

What could be worse than being sick, such as being paralyzed or bedridden for 38 years? Yet, Jesus warns the healed man that unless he stops sinning something worse til happen to him. I does not necessarily mean that the man could not afford to sin one more time in his life before he would be doomed to hell for eternity, because there is always a chance to repent, be forgiven and cleansed. Still, if someone believes he can serve two masters (by mixing sin with righteousness) and still be saved, he is fooling himself. He has not truly repented. Jesus words show us that it is better to have a saved soul than a non-functional body, if you really must choose. Most people must not choose either or (and this man had no choice when it comes to his body) but if there must be a choice a person’s soul is the most precious thing to take care of. It will last for eternity. 

Matt. 16:26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Not all of us will get really sick such as this man, but many of us will grow very old and might have to endure increasingly more pain, and even loneliness (which is also painful albeit not physical pain). These scriptures provide assurance of that something better is in store for us. Something that is not temporary but will be a permanent home:

2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

Matt. 619 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

1 Peter 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away.25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

2 Peter 312 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

1 John 217 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.—16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Psalms 39:12 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

John 18:36  Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Rev. 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.–4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

There are occasions where pain and suffering might cause a person to seek God more passionately. Read the story about Job. Share this:Natalie Furka was a medical doctor specializing in palliative medicine before she decided to join the Sisters of Life and become a Catholic sister, taking the name Sister Luca Benedict.

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