February 3, 2004 message continues

Messenger:     We had no money for the building payment
                            September 5, 2001. I cried to Jesus after I
                            came home and received this message.

Excerpt from September 6, 2001 

Jesus speaks:        You must pray for your donors.

                        I appeared and my mother appeared

                            for the whole world.

                        The apparition is not appreciated.

                        The fact you cannot even make

                            the rent payment for the

                            building is proof.

                        So much money in the world and the

                            state of Florida.

                        Look at your news on television.

                        Look at what the news is on the
                            television.

                        MARY HAS APPEARED ON THE
                            BUILDING FOR 5 YEARS AND
                            YOU DO NOT EVEN TAKE 
                            NOTICE.

                        It is not the responsibility of 100
                            people to support such a vision.

                         It is a gift from God.

                         This shows you the focus of men
                            and your news.

                         Your eyes are blind.

                         I ask today September 6, 2001 to

                             see Our images and to help

                             do what We have asked you to do.

                         These messages are important.

                         You have ignored Me.

                         THE PRAYER CARDS, Prayer for Union
                            with Jesus, Prayer Before the Holy
                            Sacrifice of the Mass, Say daily card,
                            morning offering, Shepherds of Christ
                            Prayer manuals, Holy Spirit Novena book,
                            rosary meditations are gifts from God.

Messenger:        Jesus also said "All materials

                             used for the school rosary program

                             printed by B&M have helped the

                             school children."

Jesus speaks:      The Priestly Newsletter is a gift from God.

                         Because of these prayers your world

                             is a better place.

                         If B&M closes and the printing stops -

                             your world will be affected.

                        Again I repeat, these revelations and

                            materials are for the world.

                        Mary appears the Lady clothed in gold

                            for the world.

                        Very, very few are helping to do what I ask.

                        My movement is to help the priests, the
                            Church and the world, it is a gift.

                        Because of My movement, the world is a
                            better place.

                        You will feel the effects if the printing stops.

                        I am the Sacred Heart of Jesus, I speak here.

end of excerpt from September 6, 2001

February 3, 2004 message continues

Messenger:     On September 8, 2001 —

                            Mary's birthday — I received this
                            message

Excerpt from September 8, 2001

Mary speaks:     My nursing home ones on this special
                                feast I give you this message.

                            I want you to help me.

                            Do you see the gift your God has given in my
                                appearance in Florida.

                            My children would any sign move your hearts?

                            After I appeared at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center
                                you would not believe me.

                            Now I give you these gifts, given from your
                                Father in heaven.

 

July 5, 2001	July 5, 2001	July 5, 2001	July 5, 2001

  

September 8, 2001 message continues

Mary speaks:     You want a sign, you are given a sign and you
                               still won't believe.

                            My children these messages we give to you to
                                help renew the Church and the world.
                                You must pray for your priests...

Mary speaks:      I am the handmaid of the Lord.

                            I appeared at Fatima and my message is greatly ignored.

                            I appear to you today.

                            I appear as Our Lady of Fatima in the Americas.

                            I have appeared every day for almost five
                                years.

                            Will you take notice.

                            My Son's Movement Shepherds of Christ has operated from
                                the beginning from this apparition site in Florida.

                            I want you to do what I asked for at Fatima.

                            I am the Queen of Peace.

                            The Father has sent me with this message.

Excerpt from The Spirituality of Fatima

by Father Carter, S.J.

October 13, 1917

    I am the Lady of the Rosary. I have come to warn the faithful to amend their lives and to ask pardon for their sins. They must not offend Our Lord any more, for He is already too grievously offended by the sins of men. People must say the Rosary. Let them continue saying it every day.⁽¹⁷⁾

---

NOTE:

17. For background material on Fatima, I am particularly indebted to 
    Our Lady of Fatima's Peace Plan from Heaven (Rockford: TAN 
    Books and Publishers, Inc., 1983). p.7.

end of excerpt from The Spirituality of Fatima

     

September 8, 2001 message continues

Mary speaks:      I tell you that you need to consecrate your
                                hearts to Our two Hearts.

                            I tell you to listen.

                            For those who block the message, they block
                                me and my Son Jesus.

                            These messages and visions are gifts given
                                by God.

                            They are given to help lead the souls to heaven.

                            The messages given to Father Carter to begin
                                Shepherds of Christ was to help renew the
                                Church and the world.

                            Father Carter a Jesuit priest received the following
                                messages in 1994.

                            Father Carter was told to begin the Shepherds of
                                Christ Movement.

                            Here are the messages Jesus gave to him.

                            Despite persecution and suffering he lived
                                the last 6 years of his life doing all
                                he could to further the movement...

Mary speaks:      I want the Bishops to consecrate their dioceses
                                to my Immaculate Heart. My Son Jesus
                                wants the Bishops to consecrate their dioceses
                                to His Sacred Heart.

Jesus speaks:     It is My desire that the Bishops of America and
                                the Bishops of the world entrust their dioceses 
                                to My Most Sacred Heart and the Heart of My
                                Mother Mary. I desire they encourage
                                the devotion to Our two Hearts in all
                                dioceses and all Churches. I desire
                                this with all My Heart. I am the Sacred
                                Heart of Jesus, you will not have peace
                                in the world until more listen to Me
                                and comply to these wishes. I want to 
                                be the King and Center of all Hearts.

                            I desire the picture of My Heart and My Mother's
                                heart and or statues be placed in the churches.
                                When a Church is consecrated/enthroned to
                                Our two Hearts they will grow in greater
                                holiness.
                                I am the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
                                I will Reign on the earth.

                            Why are you so resistant to listen to Me
                                and follow My requests.

                            How do I deliver a message to you?

                            You will not even take notice of the
                                sign given on the building in
                                Florida.

                            The Fatima message must be observed.

                            You must make reparation to Our
                                two Hearts.

                            I give to you the Shepherds of Christ Prayers.

                            I directed Father Carter how to compile
                                these prayers for the priests, and the
                                renewal of the Church and the world.

                            Here is a message I sent on December 20, 1993.
                            I came knocking, with the following writing.
                                    "Angels will read the Message"

                                I came in light.

                                I deliver this message, but you do not hear
                                    Me...

Jesus speaks:      This mailing could majorly help to change the
                                face of the earth and help bring to completion
                                the mission Mary began at Fatima.

                            You do not hear the voice of the Good Shepherd
                                       in My writings and works.

                            You are not open.

                            You will not even look at Mary on the building.

                            What sign would get you to take notice?

May 5, 2001	May 5, 2001	May 5, 2001	May 5, 2001

Mary speaks:      ...My Son Jesus wants the Shepherds of Christ 
                                Movement to own the Virgin Mary building
                                free and clear to help bring to
                            Completion the Mission I began at
                                Fatima.

                            I appear Our Lady of Fatima in
                                the Americas.

                            My Son Jesus wants to use this

                            Movement He began Shepherds of Christ

                                to help to renew His Church

                                and the world.

                            The Priestly Newsletter and these

                                writings are important to do

                       this...

Mary speaks:      I am Mary your Mother, we will

                                teach the world to pray

                                from My image site in

                                Florida.

March 5, 2001

September 8, 2001 message continues

Mary speaks:      Please help me.

                            I am Mary, Mother of the

         Universe  

 

July 5, 2000

end of excerpt from September 8, 2001 message

February 3, 2004 message continues

Messenger:     Is our world turning Godless — more and more
                            every day as people create their own little kingdoms.

                        Look at the story of the Pharaoh and Moses and Rameses —

                        The Ten Commandments is a good movie to watch.

                        There were all the plagues and they still
                            wouldn't listen.

                        Moses' people were small in number compared to how
                            many Rameses had.

                        There was a dynasty of wealth.
                            Some people were treated like slaves.

                        The cry of Moses for the captives was
                            "Let my people go"

                        Today I cry to you.

                        The devil is a slippery serpent.

                        More and more, some singers and athletes — are almost
                            worshiped by some people. Some people
                            skip Church on Sunday,
                            sometimes to play sports in a favorite place or
                            watch a big game on television —

                            Many rich are getting richer creating little
                        dynasties of power, using all their money for
                        their own power and glory.

                                 What about this first principle

 Man is created to praise, reverence 
   and serve God our Lord, and by this 
   means to save his soul.

                            Do we focus on the life here after?

                            Do we give into more and more control?

                            Do we trust in God and rely on His might?

                        What do some television shows on control and
                            survival teach people about
                            life? Are these truthful?
                            Are they the way God wants things to be?

                        Do people think examination of conscience is
                            a thing of the past?

                        Do people rationalize their actions and
                            not admit it when they sin?

                        Is satan so sneaky that once good intentioned 
                            people can be swayed so as to try to create
                            kingdoms of wealth for their personal gain only?
                       Do they then forget about service and love of
                            others as a common goal for what
                            their company once stood for?

                        Do we love old people and respect them
                            as God wants us to?
                            Do we recognize the wisdom of many
                            elderly or are we so focused on our
                            immediate knowledge of details and
                            building a kingdom here below — we forget about
                            the ten commandments and the Word of God.

                            Are the money and talents of many in today's
                        world used for the honor and glory of God.

                            Are colleges and universities being run
                        by professors "out-for-themselves" —
                        teaching people to be "out-for-themselves" —
                        or do we see ourselves as promoting God's
                        kingdom — love of one another and
                        telling others about the love of God?
                        Are we concerned about the good of the human race and pleasing God?

                        How do we conduct business?

                        Do colleges and universities and teachers promote 
                            oneness and love of God?

                            Are we out for the mighty buck —
                                for ourselves?

                            If those teaching others ignore the
                                ten commandments and are Godless
                                we soon have more and more people "out-
                                for-themselves", ignoring the ten commandments
                                and God's Word.

                        Teachers — teach others their ways.

                        If there are so many in the world that are
                            Godless, if it is unacceptable by many to say
                            grace before meals in many circles and say the
                            name of God and pray — we go more
                            and more into a Godless, self-focused
                            society.

                        Where does it end?

                                Some Singers —
                                Some Athletes —
                                Some TV Talk hosts —

                        So many out to promote themselves.

                        The rich get richer,

                        The world is taught more this egotistical —
                            Godless way by others acting this way.

                        The sunday gods rule in many men's hearts
                            in competition with the Almighty Divine God.

                        Some children are taught about singers, actors,
                            athletes etc as gods from an early
                            age.

                        So much wealth — it is abundant in
                            America.

                        I remember a message God gave me long
                            ago to reach Southern Florida — He
                            said we had not reached Southern Florida
                            and it had hurt our work. This was about 1998.
                            June, 1998.

                        So far we have had no more help reaching
                            southern Florida with prayer chapters
                            reaching those people and begging for funds —

                        We have not gotten this message of Mary
                            appearing on the building to Southern
                            Florida.
                        My first rosaries (3) were in Southern Florida —
                            June 1995, Naples, Boca Raton, Del Ray Beach.

                        God is All Powerful.

                        Do you remember Moses?

                        Do you remember how God divided the sea?
  

                        How do you think the Sacred Heart of Jesus
                            will reign in men's hearts as Mary and
                            Jesus have promised?

                        Many servants, handmaids and apostles have
                            not answered God's call.

                        We cannot do the work He has asked us to do
                            to help renew the Church and the world
                            because people do not answer His
                            call — even after Mary appears daily
                            on the building and Shepherds of Christ 
                            have the loan on the building.

                            We do not have any donations to send the
                        Priestly Newsletter Book III to the priests.

                        We have set up our novitiate in Cincinnati
                        but it is a calling from God to be a Shepherds of
                        Christ servant, handmaid, apostle.
                        It takes grace to answer that call —
                        Fr. Carter prayed for vocations to all 7 categories
                        at Mass every day.

                        When people answer Jesus' call they come to
                        serve in this mission, not to have their
                        own plan, their own message, their
                        own way of life.

                        We pray very much before the Blessed
                        Sacrament in the Shepherds of Christ Movement,
                        we attend daily Mass, we pray on the hour for the 
                        needs of the Movement, for the renewal of the Church 
                        and the world.

                        We try to get people to pray the morning offering.

                        We try to get the rosaries in the hands
                            of school children.

                        We try to begin prayer chapters all over
                            the world in praying for the priests,
                            the Church and the world.

                        We try to get people to consecrate their
                            homes and themselves and their
                            families to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
                            and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

                        We try to get Fr. Carter's Priestly Newsletter
                            Books in the hands of 86,000 priests.

                        There are more Ministries given to me
                            and Fr. Carter to help renew the
                            Church and the world.

                        This is what God has told us to do from the
                            Building of the 2 Hearts/The Virgin Mary
                            building in Florida.

February 3, 2004 message continues

Messenger:     There is so much sex and sin in the
                            world — disobedience to the 10 commandments —
                            greed — Godlessness.

                        Godlessness is a problem — many people who were
                            once part of a Church rarely examine
                            their conscience, or rarely go to Church
                            anymore, or take their children
                            to Church.

                        Some religious schools only focus
                            on academics and give little
                            focus to God.

                        The world is so focused on money and
                            fame as power.

Excerpt of The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, by Louis J. Puhl, S.J.
 

136. THE FOURTH DAY

        A MEDITATION ON TWO STANDARDS

The one of Christ, our supreme leader and lord,
the other of Lucifer, the deadly enemy of our
human nature

PRAYER.   The usual preparatory prayer.

window at a former Jesuit Seminary

137. FIRST PRELUDE.   This is the history. Here it will be that Christ calls and wants all beneath His standard, and Lucifer, on the other hand, wants all under his.

138. SECOND PRELUDE.   This is a mental representation of the place. It will be here to see a great plain, comprising the whole region about Jerusalem, where the sovereign Commander-in-Chief of all the good is Christ our Lord; and another plain about the region of Babylon, where the chief of the enemy is Lucifer.

139. THIRD PRELUDE.   This is to ask for what I desire. Here it will be to ask for a knowledge of the deceits of the rebel chief and help to guard myself against them; and also to ask for a knowledge of the true life exemplified in the sovereign and true Commander, and the grace to imitate Him.
   

FIRST PART

THE STANDARD OF SATAN

140. FIRST POINT.   Imagine you see the chief of all the enemy in the vast plain about Babylon, seated on a great throne of fire and smoke, his appearance inspiring horror and terror.

141. SECOND POINT.   Consider how he summons innumerable demons, and scatters them, some to one city and some to another, throughout the whole world, so that no province, no place, no state of life, no individual is overlooked.

142. THIRD POINT.   Consider the address he makes to them, how he goads them on to lay snares for men and bind them with chains. First they are to tempt them to covet riches (as Satan himself is accustomed to do in most cases) that they may the more easily attain the empty honors of this world, and then come to overweening pride.

   The first step, then, will be riches, the second honor, the third pride. From these three steps the evil one leads to all other vices.
   

SECOND PART

THE STANDARD OF CHRIST

143.   In a similar way, we are to picture to ourselves the sovereign and true Commander, Christ our Lord.

144. FIRST POINT.   Consider Christ our Lord, standing in a lowly place in a great plain about the region of Jerusalem, His appearance beautiful and attractive.

145. SECOND POINT.   Consider how the Lord of all the world chooses so many persons, apostles, disciples, etc., and sends them throughout the whole world to spread His sacred doctrine among all men, no matter what their state or condition.

146. THIRD POINT.   . . .
   

end of excerpt of The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

February 3, 2004 message continues

Messenger:     Think of this

Excerpt of The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, 
by Louis J. Puhl, S.J.

142. THIRD POINT.   Consider the address he makes to them, how he goads them on to lay snares for men and bind them with chains. First they are to tempt them to covet riches (as Satan himself is accustomed to do in most cases) that they may the more easily attain the empty honors of this world, and then come to overweening pride.

   The first step, then, will be riches, the second honor, the third pride. From these three steps the evil one leads to all other vices.
   

St. Ignatius

February 3, 2004 message continues

Messenger:     Christ is King

John 18: 36

Jesus replied, ‘Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. As it is, my kingdom does not belong here.’

   

  1 Corinthians 12: 12-30

For as with the human body which is a unity although it has many parts—all the parts of the body, though many, still making up one single body—so it is with Christ. We were baptised into one body in a single Spirit, Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well as free men, and we were all given the same Spirit to drink. And indeed the body consists not of one member but of many. If the foot were to say, ‘I am not a hand and so I do not belong to the body,’ it does not belong to the body any the less for that. Or if the ear were to say, ‘I am not an eye, and so I do not belong to the body,’ that would not stop its belonging to the body. If the whole body were just an eye, how would there be any hearing? If the whole body were hearing, how would there be any smelling? 

    As it is, God has put all the separate parts into the body as he chose. If they were all the same part, how could it be a body? As it is, the parts are many but the body is one. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ and nor can the head say to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ 

    What is more, it is precisely the parts of the body that seem to be the weakest which are the indispensable ones. It is the parts of the body which we consider least dignified that we surround with the greatest dignity; and our less presentable parts are given greater presentability which our presentable parts do not need. God has composed the body so that greater dignity is given to the parts which were without it, and so that there may not be disagreements inside the body but each part may be equally concerned for all the others. If one part is hurt, all the parts share its pain. And if one part is honoured, all the parts share its joy. 

    Now Christ’s body is yourselves, each of you with a part to play in the whole. And those whom God has appointed in the Church are, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers; after them, miraculous powers, then gifts of healing, helpful acts, guidance, various kinds of tongues. Are all of them apostles? Or all prophets? Or all teachers? Or all miracle–workers? Do all have the gifts of healing? Do all of them speak in tongues and all interpret them?

1 Corinthians 12:31—13:1-13  

Set your mind on the higher gifts. And now I am going to put before you the best way of all.

Though I command languages both human and angelic—if I speak without love, I am no more than a gong booming or a cymbal clashing. And though I have the power of prophecy, to penetrate all mysteries and knowledge, and though I have all the faith necessary to move mountains—if I am without love, I am nothing. Though I should give away to the poor all that I possess, and even give up my body to be burned—if I am without love, it will do me no good whatever. 

    Love is always patient and kind; love is never jealous; love is not boastful or conceited, it is never rude and never seeks its own advantage, it does not take offence or store up grievances. Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but finds its joy in the truth. It is always ready to make allowances, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes. 

    Love never comes to an end. But if there are prophecies, they will be done away with; if tongues, they will fall silent; and if knowledge, it will be done away with. For we know only imperfectly, and we prophesy imperfectly; but once perfection comes, all imperfect things will be done away with. When I was a child, I used to talk like a child, and see things as a child does, and think like a child; but now that I have become an adult, I have finished with all childish ways. Now we see only reflections in a mirror, mere riddles, but then we shall be seeing face to face. Now I can know only imperfectly; but then I shall know just as fully as I am myself known. 

    As it is, these remain: faith, hope and love, the three of them; and the greatest of them is love.

      

Excerpt from Response to God's Love

                                                         2

                                                         The Christian's Personal
                                                                        Uniqueness

 

                                                        Obviously, we all assimilate the mystery of Christ in basically the same way. There are, however, significant differences in how each person puts on Christ that result from the uniqueness of each individual. Each person is a unique expression of God's creative love. Each person can truthfully say that there has never before been anyone like himself or herself, there is now no one like him or her, and there never will be.

       The personal uniqueness of each human being increases in proportion to one's assimilation to Jesus. That is to say, the more I put on Christ, the more I lose myself in Christ, the more I become myself. This is true because grace perfects nature, and, consequently, the more I grow in grace, the more perfect all dimensions of my person become—and this includes uniqueness. We see, then, how fallacious is the reasoning of those who think that the more they give themselves to the practice of religion, the more their personalities will be subdued. Actually, the opposite is true—the more one grows in Christ, the more his or her unique personality emerges in all its attractiveness.

       As I grow in the realization of my own uniqueness, I should also grow in developing a sense of self-identity and self-acceptance. If God in his tremendous love for me has created the uniqueness that I am, should I not rejoice in who I am and avoid morbidly comparing myself to others? Should I not have a healthy self-image? Of course, self-acceptance does not mean self-complacency. Honest self-reflection will always reveal to me that there are weaknesses that must be further curbed and strengths that must be further developed.

       As God gives each person his or her uniqueness, he attaches to it a unique mission or role that is to be accomplished. Cardinal Newman tells us: "Everyone who breathes, high and low, educated and ignorant, young and old, man and woman, has a mission, has a work. We are not sent into this world for nothing; we are not born at random. . . . God sees every one of us; He creates every soul, He lodges it in a body, one by one, for a purpose. He needs, He deigns to need, every one of us" (Discourses Addressed to Mixed Congregations, pp. 111-112).

       Because of the uniqueness of each Christian's existence, he or she presents Christ with a unique opportunity. Each Christian has the vocation to offer Christ his or her humanity so that Jesus can re-incarnate himself in a new way. Jesus wants to continue his redemptive work through the not-to-be-repeated newness that is each Christian's uniqueness. To the extent that an individual Christian offers his or her humanity to Jesus, he or she has a unique opportunity to continue the redemption—an opportunity that no one else can offer him or her. Likewise, to the extent that an individual Christian fails to offer his or her humanity to Christ, Jesus loses the opportunity that is this Christian's uniqueness.

       Each of us, consequently, no matter what his or her occupation or status in life might be, has both the great privilege and the great responsibility to properly utilize his or her life according to God's Christic design. No one else can fulfill your unique mission, and, in turn, you cannot accomplish the unique mission of another. At times we can become somewhat fearful or anxious about the task that God has entrusted to us as we more deeply realize what it demands. We can feel the same reluctance that Jeremiah the prophet voiced when Yahweh called him:

       The word of the LORD came to me thus:
       "Before I formed you in the womb I
               knew you,
               before you were born I dedicated
               you,
               a prophet to the nations I appointed
               you."
       "Ah, LORD GOD!" I said,
               "I know not how to speak; I am too
               young."
       But the LORD answered me,
       "Say not, 'I am too young.'
               To whomever I send you, you shall
               go;
               Whatever I command you, you shall
               speak.
       Have no fear before them,
               because I am with you to deliver
               you, says the LORD."
                                                         —Jer 1:4-8

       Jeremiah initially shrank back from the mission that God was giving him. He complained that he was not capable of accomplishing it. God answered him, however, and told Jeremiah that he was perfectly capable of fulfilling his appointed role, for he, Yahweh, would be with Jeremiah. God would work through Jeremiah, and Jeremiah, for his part, was to be open to God, allowing Yahweh to work through him according to the divine will.

       We, too, can be guilty of reacting to God's call in the same way that Jeremiah had originally reacted. This can happen as God calls one to a basic state of life. Once a person is within a fundamental vocation, one can be tempted to resist God's call to higher things, to a more complete accomplishment of his or her mission, and to a greater Christian maturity. When so tempted, a person must control his or her fears and trustingly give himself or herself to God's will. Only then will the person become convinced that God never requests anything without granting abundant grace to accomplish his design, and that, moreover, to answer God's call as consistently as possible is the only true path to peace, happiness, and fulfillment, despite the pain that is necessarily involved.

       We are aided in remaining faithful to the unique role in life that God has given us if we strive to remain aware of the great value that one life has to Christ, to the Church, and to the world. History tells us of the great difference that just one life can have regarding Christ's work; there are outstanding examples from all walks of life. Surely the Church has been enriched, and countless lay people have been inspired because of the life of a man named Thomas More. He was a layman who realized the deepest meaning of life—and he did not fail to confront the true purpose of human existence, even when that confrontation meant sacrificing his life for what he believed. Surely this life—the one life of St. Thomas More—has made a difference. In our own times, we have been enriched and inspired by an outstanding lay witness—the beloved Dorothy Day. What an inspiration she has been! Surely her life, though it was only one life, made a difference—and such a great difference. There are, too, the examples of men and women who have established religious orders and congregations. Surely the life of each of them has made an overwhelming contribution toward a better Church and a better world. Consider also the life of Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, a person from a peasant background who eventually came to be called Pope John XXIII. Surely the world is so much better for Pope John's having given it his love, kindness, joy, and constant concern. Of course one life does make a difference.

       At this point, however, many will object that the above examples highlight the lives of persons who have achieved outstanding recognition in the external order of things and have commanded great public attention. People who voice this objection often say that their own lives are so mundane, so hidden, so incapable of making headlines. Surely, they continue, this rather too ordinary kind of life makes little difference to Christ, to the Church, and to the world. Surely it does not much matter whether a person living this kind of existence fulfills his or her God-given mission. At first glance, many of us would tend to agree with this reasoning, a reasoning that is really the exact opposite temptation of what we considered when we likened ourselves to Jeremiah. In that context there was a question of being tempted to do nothing because we feared the greatness to which we were called; in the present context, however, it is a question of being tempted to do nothing because we think we really have nothing to contribute. Yet, as we begin to reflect in mature faith, we soon see the fallacy of this objection. We realize that great external accomplishments or a life that attracts public attention do not, in and of themselves, make that life great and truly worthwhile. If a Christian life that is characterized by notable external achievement is truly great and meaningful for mankind, we know that it is so because the external achievement has sprung forth from an attitude of deep faith, hope, and love. This, then, is the ultimate answer to the above objection—every Christian's life, no matter how ordinary it might be in its external framework, can be tremendously important and can make an outstanding contribution toward the work of ongoing redemption as long as it is increasingly consistent with God's will.

       God's ways are not always our ways, and his thoughts are not always our thoughts. God can take a life that seems so ordinary, so prosaic, so uneventful, and achieve wonders with it as long as the person is striving to fulfill his or her role in life according to God's designs. We cannot, then, use the ordinariness of our lives as an excuse for not making our existence truly great, truly significant for both Christ and humanity—a life that truly makes a difference. Karl Rahner has advice for us when the ordinariness of our lives tempts us to think that our existence is unimportant and almost useless: "Let us take a good look at Jesus who had the courage to lead an apparently useless life for thirty years. We should ask him for the grace to give us to understand what his hidden life means for our religious existence" (Spiritual Exercises, p. 160). Notice that Rahner describes the first thirty years of Jesus' life as "apparently useless." In reality, of course, Christ's very ordinary existence at Nazareth was not actually useless but was, on the contrary, tremendously important—it was part of his redemptive effort. No, it is not the ordinary setting of our lives that is an obstacle to our making a unique and important contribution to the cause of Christ. The real obstacle, if we allow it, is our failure to relate to life's ordinariness as God intends.

       The realization of the greatness of our own lives, however, must be balanced with a realization of the limitations that are attached to that greatness. We are finite creatures who have various limitations that emanate from our finitude. A sense of limitations, then, should accompany the fulfillment of our mission in life.

       What are some of these limitations? First, it is important to realize there are false limitations—limitations that need not be—as opposed to inevitable limitations—limitations that spring forth from the fact that we are finite creatures who are immersed in the human condition. An example of a false limitation is demonstrated by the person who succumbs to the temptation of wanting to be someone else. This person looks at the physical and intellectual gifts of one person, the pleasing personality of another, and so forth and so on, and convinces himself or herself, that, if only he or she were endowed with such qualities, well, yes, then it would be possible to really accomplish something with his or her life. In other words, the person fails to accept himself or herself as God has made him or her. This person fails to accept his or her God-given uniqueness and wastes precious time looking at what he or she does not have, rather than appreciating that with which God has actually endowed him or her. Such a person must accept himself or herself, once and for all, in his or her fundamental uniqueness. Moreover, this person must develop the gifts, strengths, and capacities of his or her uniqueness and strive to control its weaknesses as much as possible. He or she should also realize that only by accepting his or her uniqueness as coming from God's creative love and constantly striving to allow that same love to bring his or her uniqueness to fulfillment will he or she achieve ultimate peace and happiness. Then, and only then, can a person properly make his or her contribution to continued redemption.

       Surrounding our uniqueness, then, are limitations that need not be; similarly, there are also limitations that are inevitable. We possess certain talents, for example, but present circumstances do not allow us to exercise these talents here and now. Even at those times when we can exercise our talents, we often feel limited because we realize that we have only a certain amount of energy; that there are only a certain number of concrete opportunities and a certain amount of time for us to use our talents. At other times we feel limited because the persons we are trying to serve are hostile to our efforts and shut themselves off from what we desire to so generously offer.

       These, then, are some examples of limitations we can experience in our efforts to fulfill our mission. To balance the realization of the greatness of our call with the realization that we will be variously limited—sometimes painfully so—in our striving to implement our mission is as necessary as it is challenging.

       Each Christian, therefore, because of his or her personal uniqueness, has a unique mission to fulfill in helping continue the work of Jesus. Each Christian is given the opportunity to contribute as he or she receives the call from God, and, obviously, there are varying degrees according to which a Christian may respond or not respond to God's call. There are, first, those who hardly respond at all, who seem to be barely Christian. They may have faith, but it is a dead faith, for they refuse to be guided by God even in serious matters. They want to be complete masters of their own existence; the less they have to think about God, the better. Originally, some of these people may have been given a call to magnificent Christian greatness in this or that state of life. They may have turned a deaf ear to true greatness, however, and determined to be makers of their own self-conceived greatness; their concept of greatness may never have transcended the limits of space and time—they may have thought and acted as if their temporal existence would extend forever.

       Second, there are other Christians who essentially respond to God, but not as completely as possible. Their lives seem to be an average mixture of both continuing faithfulness to God and occasional disloyalty to him; periodically they accomplish much good, but they also mix in a considerable degree of mediocrity. They do, however, seem to be basically sincere Christians who do, in fact, promote the work of Christ and essentially fulfill their roles in life.

       And finally, there are those Christians who initially answer God's call and continue to answer it in an eminently generous manner. They develop their uniqueness marvelously and become forceful shapers of the world's Christic destiny. Their good actions are deeply etched into the human process, although they may well be hidden from public acclaim. Because of them and their actions, the world's goodness is enhanced, and mankind has come considerably closer to fulfilling its temporal and eternal destinies.

       Today's Church needs more of this type of Christian. The Church and the world in which she is situated are experiencing a time of crisis—perhaps the most critical time of all history, for at what other time in human history could life as we know it on this earth end so suddenly in a nuclear holocaust? Yet, although we live in an age of special crisis that has tremendous and numerous problems, we also live in an age of great opportunity. God, for his part, always provides for the needs of both the Church and the world in which the Church is meant to serve. Surely, in this age of great need and opportunity, God will not fail to call Christians of all vocations to completely and eminently dedicate themselves to the task at hand. We should pray that everyone will respond according to their own uniqueness and make their own special contribution to the work of Christ.

end of excerpt from Response to God's Love

February 3, 2004 message continues

Messenger:     It is a willing response God wants of us.

                        A response to His love.

                        He gives us a free will.

Excerpt of The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius,
by Louis J. Puhl, S.J.
  

THE STANDARD OF CHRIST

143.   In a similar way, we are to picture to ourselves the sovereign and true Commander, Christ our Lord.

144. FIRST POINT.   Consider Christ our Lord, standing in a lowly place in a great plain about the region of Jerusalem, His appearance beautiful and attractive.

145. SECOND POINT.   Consider how the Lord of all the world chooses so many persons, apostles, disciples, etc., and sends them throughout the whole world to spread His sacred doctrine among all men, no matter what their state or condition.

146. THIRD POINT.   Consider the address which Christ our Lord makes to all His servants and friends whom He sends on this enterprise, recommending to them to seek to help all, first by attracting them to the highest spiritual poverty, and should it please the Divine Majesty, and should He deign to choose them for it, even to actual poverty. Secondly, they should lead them to a desire for insults and contempt, for from these springs humility.

end of excerpt of The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

--------------------------------------------

February 3, 2004 message continues

Messenger:     What about the 3 Classes of Men?

                        Why do we act?

                        For our own honor and glory?

                        Are our intentions for acting pure?

Day 4 of Retreat

FRI Feb 13

    Breakfast

    Meet in Church

        Sing: Take Lord Receive
                    Come to Me Lord & Possess My Soul

    8:45 Prep Prayer
             #280 p. 123
             Christ walks upon the water
             Mat 14: 22-33
             15 minute meditation

10:00 3 Classes of Men Read in Church
             #149-156 p.64, 65
             meditate 20-25 minutes

    Light Lunch must be finished eating
             by 11:30

11:45 Sing: Take Lord Receive
             Prayers before Mass
           Sing: Hail Mary Gentle Woman
             Song from Jesus

Mass Fr Frank
    20 minutes meditation afterward

after Mass #281 p.123 & 124

           The Apostles Are Sent to Preach
           St Math 10: 1-16
           15 minutes meditation
               Songs
               We are Called, We are Chosen
               Apostles Songs – You are the Voice
               Here I Am Lord

Read aloud #165-168 HUMILITY
           FR CARTER ON HUMILITY
               on tape from priestly Newsletter
           meditation 15 minutes
           Sing Magnificat Song

Break snack dinner

#285 Raising of Lazarus
          St John 11: 1-45

          Read Reflect – some one can stay
               behind
  

Before Rosary Read #190-198

Read aloud #290 p.128

DON’T RUSH       St Mat 26: 30-46
    in between           St Mark 14: 32-44
  

Sorrowful Rosary Mysteries
          March 21, 1995
          Red Rosary Book p.91-99
  

Break for snack

IN Church

Before bed
            p.130 #295
                        Read Scripture meditate 5 min

            p.131 #296
                        Read Scripture mediate 5 min

            p.131 #297
                        Jesus Dies Upon the Cross

                        Read
                        St John 19: 23-37
                        St Mat 27: 3-52
                        St Mark 15: 24-38
                        St Luke 23: 34-46

            p.132 #298 From the Cross to the Sepulcher

A Very Important retreat for apostles

February 11, 2004 Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

to February 14, 2004 Valentine's Day

It ends at 3:00pm.

Personal reading and meditation

is needed beginning the night of the

10th from wherever you are.

(This will not interfere with the normal
February 13th gathering in China, Indiana.)

Adorers will be needed for the 
evening and early morning hours
since the apostles will be in retreat.

(Please call Doris if you intend to come
to the retreat)

The Country Hearth Inn has 

rooms available for $45

Copyright © 2004 Shepherds of Christ.
Rights for non-commercial reproduction granted:
May be copied in its entirety, but neither re-typed nor edited.
Translations are welcome but they must be reviewed for moral and 
theological accuracy by a source approved by Shepherds of Christ Ministries 
before any distribution takes place. Please contact us for more information.
All scripture quotes are from the New Jerusalem Bible, July 1990, published by Doubleday.
Revised: February 3, 2004
URL: www.sofc.org
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Email: info@SofC.org

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