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  Shepherds of Christ  
       Daily Writing          

August 1, 2011

August 2nd Holy Spirit Novena
Scripture selection is Day 6 Period I.

The Novena Rosary Mysteries  
for August 2nd are Luminous.

                  

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                August 1, 2011
 

Matthew 14: 22-36

And at once he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he sent the crowds away. After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now some furlongs from land, was hard pressed by rough waves, for there was a head–wind. In the fourth watch of the night he came towards them, walking on the sea, and when the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, ‘Courage! It’s me! Don’t be afraid.’ It was Peter who answered. ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.’ Jesus said, ‘Come.’ Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but then noticing the wind, he took fright and began to sink. ‘Lord,’ he cried, ‘save me!’ Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. ‘You have so little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’ And as they got into the boat the wind dropped. The men in the boat bowed down before him and said, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God.’

Having made the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the local people recognised him they spread the news through the whole neighbourhood and took all that were sick to him, begging him just to let them touch the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched it were saved.

   

                R. The boat can be rocking —
                The Church is a Pilgrim Church —
                The Church, the world, the individual
                    Christian in the state of
                    becoming

                We have God's grace —
                God gives us the sacraments —
                We feast at the table of the Lord —

 

Numbers 11: 4-15

The rabble who had joined the people were feeling the pangs of hunger, and the Israelites began to weep again. 'Who will give us meat to eat?' they said. 'Think of the fish we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic! But now we are withering away; there is nothing wherever we look except this manna!' The manna was like coriander seed and had the appearance of bdellium. The people went round gathering it, and ground it in a mill or crushed it with a pestle; it was then cooked in a pot and made into pancakes. It tasted like cake made with oil. When the dew fell on the camp at night-time, the manna fell with it. Moses heard the people weeping, each family at the door of its tent. Yahweh's anger was greatly aroused; Moses too found it disgraceful, and he said to Yahweh: 'Why do you treat your servant so badly? In what respect have I failed to win your favour, for you to lay the burden of all these people on me? Was it I who conceived all these people, was I their father, for you to say to me, "Carry them in your arms, like a foster-father carrying an unweaned child, to the country which I swore to give their fathers"? Where am I to find meat to give all these people, pestering me with their tears and saying, "Give us meat to eat"? I cannot carry all these people on my own; the weight is too much for me. If this is how you mean to treat me, please kill me outright! If only I could win your favour and be spared the sight of my misery!'

 

                R. People grumble and we have the
                    Bread of Life —

                The Word, the Eucharist

                We are given the fountain of His life —

                In these troubled times the boat
                    is rocking —
                    The Church is the pillar of truth.

                God is with us —
                God gives us the priest
                What a gift —

                Song: A Priest is a Gift from God

                R. God gives us this Movement
                    to help lead us to the
                    Mighty Medicine —

                The Church —

                The Bread of Life — His Word
                    and the Eucharist —

                Sing: I am the Bread of Life —

                R. God loves us so much —

                God wants this love from His
                    people —

                God is so good to us
 

Excerpt from the Priestly Newsletter 2001 #1
  

I Lay Down My Life for My Sheep

    I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him, abandons the sheep as soon as he sees a wolf coming, and runs away, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep; he runs away because he is only a hired man and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep. (Jn 10:11-15)1

Yes, the Good Shepherd laid down His life for us. And it is in this that we must lay down our lives daily in the Morning Offering, offering all we do as a sacrifice united to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and great grace will be released for souls. We can identify with Him in this that we offer everything we do in trying to please Him and serve Him as a sacrifice united to the Mass. The more we tell others to pray the Morning Offering, the more people will lay down their lives for souls and the more grace will be released for the troubled hearts.

Jesus’ Heart is pure and holy, our hearts are tainted.

Mary’s Heart is pure and sinless. The more we unite our offering with Their pure and holy Hearts, the more pure our offering and the greatest grace will be released for the troubled souls.

Souls, it is souls He came to save. Do we want to identify with our beloved Savior? Then we must not miss an opportunity to lay down our lives as a sacrifice for His precious souls.

Oh, how His Heart burned with love for the souls when He mounted the cross, covered with Blood and gave Himself as a sacrifice for souls.

Yes, the Good Shepherd laid down His life for His flock and we as His faithful shepherds must lay down our lives for His flock today.

There are millions of elderly that cry out daily, "Oh, God why am I here today?" In giving them a small card as simple as the ones that follow, they can offer their lives for souls which can help bring down great grace for the souls of this earth.

 

Say daily

God, I give you my life in union
with the Mass as an offering for
the souls, the Church and the
priests

Help us!

      


Your life is so important for souls, 
you can help bring down great grace.

 

      

Morning Offering

My dear Father, I offer you this day all my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings in union with Jesus in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in the Holy Spirit. 

I unite with our Mother Mary, all the angels and saints, and all the souls in purgatory to pray to the Father for myself, for each member of my family, for my friends, for all people throughout the world, for all the souls in purgatory, and for all other intentions of the sacred Heart.

I love You, Jesus, and I give You my heart. I love you, Mary, and I give you my heart. Amen.

  
Offering Our Lives to God

Written May 29, 2000:

When we come to Mass we make an offering of ourselves, all our sorrows, wounds, joys, our complete selves. We see our lives and we put ourselves in Mary’s Heart, ask to make the offering in greatest purity. In His Heart we offer the sacrifice IN HIM and WITH HIM.

We become one with Him as deeply as possible. We dwell in His most perfect Heart offering sacrifice to God for our sins and the sins of men. Our whole being is very active in the Mass as we realize more the power of this Sacrifice most worthily offered. We want to give ourselves as completely as possible, our past, all of ourselves, now become so one in the moment of sacrifice as we become one in Him pleading and begging to our God for purification, for help, for love of Him and all others. We give thanksgiving, worship and honor to Him, our whole being given as a sacrifice on the altar IN His pure and holy Heart. Being in the Immaculate Heart of our Mother, we offer sacrifice for the Church and the world.

We offer every precious moment of our lives, united to the Masses around the world, being one in Jesus. Every moment is a moment of sacrifice united to God. This is what we do in the Morning Offering.

The pages of the book of our lives are being written. These moments of our lives are so dear to God, for we offer our lives as a sacrifice for souls.

Are we spending the precious moments of our lives offering sacrifice to God for His honor and glory and giving our lives as a sacrifice for souls?

Write a short page every day or the following day, similar to an examination of conscience, seeing the good (so much good we accomplish we overlook, so many precious moments of joy we forget) and the times we were troubled.

The devil tries to keep us focused on the problems.

We are His shepherds, helping to shepherd His flock, there is so much good we can accomplish every day.

We should write a short page every day, date it, read over it when we are troubled, keep it in a book, see how many joyful moments we have every day.

Give them to God as a bouquet of flowers placed at His feet on that last day, the pages of the life of our book.

We will want all pages to be done in love, all for the honor and glory of God.


Through Him, With Him
and In Him

We should pray the prayer from Jesus before His bitter passion.

I pray not only for these but also for those who through their teaching will come to believe in me. May they all be one, just as, Father, you are in me and I am in you, so that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me. I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one. With me in them and you in me, may they be so perfected in unity that the world will recognise that it was you who sent me and that you have loved them as you have loved me.

Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may always see my glory which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Father, Upright One, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me. I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them. (Jn 17: 20-26)

Jesus’ Heart is on fire for love of us.

God the Father loves us so much, give Him the moments of our lives as a sacrifice.

Peace, Love, Oneness – One Body In Him.

Our prayers are answered. We must pray from the depth of our hearts. Giving ourselves in consecration to Jesus, consecrating our hearts to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Offer sacrifice.

Put the flowers as gifts beneath the throne of God.

Plead and beg for souls.

Offer sacrifice. Be united as a body.

And the bell tolls.

Do you hear the bells toll?

The moments of our lives we cannot live again.

We are here to love and honor God and to serve Him, to prepare ourselves for the life hereafter and to help others get there.

He is the Son of God.

He showed us how to be children of the Father.

He laid down His life for His flock.

He is the Good Shepherd.

We lay down our lives in our Morning Offering.

We lay down our lives and unite to the perfect Sacrifice of the Savior.

The moments go by with such swiftness and now here is the day, the kids are grown, the grandchildren have come, and we still say, "TOMORROW I will be about my union with God."

There are so many precious moments that could have been united as a sacrifice for special grace for ourselves and others.

When He was here on earth, He merited grace by His life and death.

We need to tap into this grace our Divine Savior came to earth to gain for us.

We must tap into this sacrifice.

The moments of our lives tick away. There are millions of souls in nursing homes that could be offering up their lives for souls. We have to unite ourselves and reach them, all the souls that will hear us and unite to this Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. He is the Head, we are the members of His body, the Church. We must be united in the Mass, praying every moment together, being one in Him in this Holy Sacrifice so that great grace will be released.

All our most difficult trials, when we endure them with love, can help to bring down great grace.

The moment is now.

The bell is tolling.

I can only live in this moment.

I must unite it to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, praying for souls.

Every moment, whether of joy or suffering, can be a moment of grace being released for our needs, for the salvation of souls, to make reparation to God, to honor and love Him and obey Him.

OUR LIVES ARE INDEED PRECIOUS, every moment, a moment that our Father gave us as a child of God for His honor and glory.

Alleluia – God, help us unite as a body.

Alleluia – God, help us to see ourselves all one as the family of the Father with Mary our loving Mother.

How will the page of our book look for the Father? Whether we write or not, we lived it as He willed or we lived it against His will.

Were our moments, moments to give Him honor and glory, to help promote the kingdom, to help save souls and lead others to God? Did the moments help us have a higher place in heaven? Did we mature more in our love relationship with God?

1. Scripture quotations are taken from The New Jerusalem Bible, Doubleday.

end of excerpt pnl2001-1

 

Excerpt from Priestly Newsletter 2001 #2

 

The Church is the Bride of Christ

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him, abandons the sheep as soon as he sees a wolf coming, and runs away, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep; he runs away because he is only a hired man and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep. (Jn 10:11-15)1
 

As the bride of Christ we partake most fully in offering sacrifice with one another all day as we unite to the Mass and lay down our lives in union with Him.

The Church is sacrament. The Church is one with Christ. The Church is His Bride. As a body we unite in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and pray in union with Him. It is through His mediation that tremendous grace is released on the earth. We are the bride of Christ. He is the Chief Priest and Victim. We partake more fully in the sacrifice. We live the paschal mystery of death and resurrection in our lives. We tap the font of life. We unite to Him as His holy spouse. We are the members of His Church. We are the brides of Christ. We love Him. There is a holy union between us and our Spouse all through the day.

EVERY ACTION–EVERY PRAYER IN OUR LIVES IS UNITED TO THE MASS–IT IS A FONT OF GOD’S GRACE.

THE DIVINE BRIDEGROOM GAVE HIS LIFE ON THE CROSS AND HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD VICTORIOUS ON THE THIRD DAY. The sacrifice of Calvary is sacramentally made present in the Mass today. We unite to it pleading as a body for ourselves, the Church and the world. We beg for grace from our Divine Bridegroom. As members of the Church we live as His spouse our bridal union all day.

Christ is Chief Priest and Mediator. We are His flock, the ones He came to save.

EVERY PRAYER, EVERY ACT when done to serve our God should be united to the Mass, so that great grace will be released. From the newsletter 1999 Issue 4:

God With Us

The Son of God became Man for our salvation. Yes, He became incarnate. He took to Himself a real human nature. Because Jesus possessed a real human nature, He could die for us. As the Good Shepherd, He has laid down His life for us, His sheep.

There are indeed many thoughts which come to mind when we reflect upon the truth that the Son of God took to Himself a human nature and dwelt among us.

  • St. John puts it very simply in his Gospel: The Word was made flesh, he lived among us... (Jn 1:14) Yes, John states it so succinctly, yet these few words contain a wealth of meaning. We should expect nothing else, since this brief statement of the fourth Gospel points out the central event of all human history. These words sum up God’s creative and redemptive activity. They sum up God’s process of self-communication to us.

 

The Eucharist

At the Last Supper, on the night He was betrayed, our Saviour instituted the Eucharistic Sacrifice of His Body and Blood. He did this in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross throughout the centuries until He should come again, and so to entrust to His beloved spouse, the Church, a memorial of His death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us (Vatican II, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, No. 17)2

  • The Church, therefore, earnestly desires that Christ’s faithful, when present at this mystery of faith, should not be there as strangers or silent spectators. On the contrary, through a proper appreciation of the rites and prayers they should participate knowingly, devoutly, and actively. They should be instructed by God’s word and be refreshed at the table of the Lord’s body; they should give thanks to God; by offering the Immaculate Victim, not only through the hands of the priest, but also with him, they should learn to offer themselves too. Through Christ the Mediator, they should be drawn day by day into ever closer union with God and with each other, so that finally God may be all in all. (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, No. 48)3

  • Through the Eucharistic Sacrifice Christ the Lord desired to set before us in a very special way this remarkable union whereby we are united one with another and with our divine Head, a union that no word of praise can ever sufficiently express. For in this sacrifice the sacred ministers act not only as the representative of our Saviour, but as the representative of the whole Mystical Body and of each one of the faithful. Again, in this act of sacrifice, the faithful of Christ, united by the common bond of devotion and prayer, offer to the eternal Father through the hands of the priest, whose prayer alone has made it present on the altar, the Immaculate Lamb, the most acceptable victim of praise and propitiation for the Church’s universal need. Moreover, just as the divine Redeemer, while dying on the Cross, offered Himself to the eternal Father as Head of the whole human race, so now, ‘in this clean oblation’ He not only offers Himself as Head of the Church to His heavenly Father but in Himself His mystical members as well. He embraces them all, yes, even the weaker and more ailing members with the deepest love of His Heart. (Pope Pius XII, Mystici Corporis AAS. XXXV, 232-233)4

  • Pope Paul VI instructs us in his encyclical, The Mystery of Faith: "The Catholic Church has always devoutly guarded as a most precious treasure the mystery of faith, that is, the ineffable gift of the Eucharist which she received from Christ her Spouse as a pledge of His immense love, and during the Second Vatican Council in a new and solemn demonstration she professed her faith and veneration for this mystery. When dealing with the restoration of the sacred liturgy, the Fathers of the council, by reason of their pastoral concern for the whole Church, considered it of the highest importance to exhort the faithful to participate actively with sound faith and with the utmost devotion in the celebration of this Most Holy Mystery, to offer it with the priest to God as a sacrifice for their own salvation and for that of the whole world, and to find in it spiritual nourishment.

For if the sacred liturgy holds the first place in the life of the Church, the Eucharistic Mystery stands at the heart and center of the liturgy, since it is the font of life by which we are cleansed and strengthened to live not for ourselves but for God, and to be united in love among ourselves...

"It is to be desired that the faithful, every day and in great numbers, actively participate in the Sacrifice of the Mass, receive Holy Communion with a pure heart, and give thanks to Christ Our Lord for so great a gift...5

Ephesians 1: 11-14
And it is in him
    that we have received our heritage,
marked out beforehand as we were,
under the plan of the One
    who guides all things
as he decides by his own will,
chosen to be,
for the praise of his glory,
the people who
    would put their hopes in Christ
        before he came.
Now you too, in him,
have heard the message of the truth
    and the gospel of your salvation,
and having put your trust in it
you have been stamped with the seal
    of the Holy Spirit of the Promise,
who is the pledge of our inheritance,
for the freedom of the people
    whom God has taken for his own,
for the praise of his glory.

    Days pass and we grow older.

    Some of us wither and die.

    Some are killed in car wrecks.

    Today is the day to turn our lives over to God.

    Please help us pass out these little cards to all souls.

Say daily

God, I give you my life in union
with the Mass as an offering for
the souls, the Church and the
priests

Help us!

      

Your life is so important for souls, 
you can help bring down great grace. 

 

            These are available from Shepherds of Christ free of charge.

 

NOTES:

  1. Scripture quotations are taken from The New Jerusalem Bible, Doubleday.

  2. The Documents of Vatican II, "Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy", America Press Edition, No. 17.

  3. Ibid., No. 48.

  4. Pope Pius XII, Encyclical Letter, Mystici Corporis, AAS, XXXV, pp. 232-233.

  5. Pope Paul VI, Encyclical Letter, Mysterium Fidei, St. Paul Books and Media, pp. 5, 25, 26.

            end of excerpt  pnl2001-2

 

 

 

                Given July 31, 2011

Joyful Mysteries
  

                The Annunciation

                (1) Luke 1: 26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, you who enjoy God’s favour! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?’ The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. And I tell you this too: your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ Mary said, ‘You see before you the Lord’s servant, let it happen to me as you have said.’ And the angel left her.
 

                (2) Focusing on the Word - Cycle B Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson 

4th Sunday of Advent - December 18, 2005

INTRODUCTION: (2 Samuel 7,1-5, 8b-12, 14a,16; Luke 1,26-38) Our first reading goes back 1000 years before Christ to the time of king David in Jerusalem. You need to recall that when Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt, almost 300 years before King David, God gave the people a special sign of his presence among them. That sign was the Arc of the Covenant. It looked something like this: a box in which were placed the 10 Commandments, a lid of gold and on the lid were two angels. The box was carried by two long poles because no one could touch the Arc. The two angels provided a throne for their invisible God, Yahweh. As Moses and the people moved through the desert and eventually into the promised land, the Arc was kept in a tent. Only designated people, and eventually only the high priest, could enter the tent and offer sacrifice to God. The Arc was still kept in a tent during the reign of King David. David had built himself a nice comfortable palace and he decided it was not right that the Arc, the special sign of God’s presence with his people, was still kept in a tent. So he told his prophet, Nathan, that he would build a temple, a house for God. Nathan said “good idea,” but God said “no.” God said David had shed too much blood in his role as king, so he would have David’s son, Solomon, build the temple after David died. But God was pleased with David’s idea and blessed him. One of the special blessings David received was that David’s line would never die out. One of his descendants would always be king over God’s people. That’s what is meant by the statement that God would “establish a house” for David. For about 400 years this proved to be true. Always the king of Judea was of the royal house of David. When the Babylonians conquered the Jews, that was the end of the kingship. But the Jews never forgot the promise God made to David and always waited for one who would come from David’s family who would rescue God's people from their enemies and restore the kingdom to Israel. Since kings were anointed when they assumed power, the king they looked for was called the anointed one – the Hebrew word for “anointed one” is Messiah, in Greek the word is Christos. In the gospel of the annunciation, the angel Gabriel informs Mary that her son would be the fulfillment of these hopes. “The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
 

                (3) Focusing on the Word - Cycle B Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson - 4th Sunday of Advent - December 18, 2005 

HOMILY: The angel Gabriel announced the birth of a king: “the Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” I love the interesting way St. Luke begins to tell us about this. He first of all introduces Mary, but not in the usual way we introduce someone. We would have said, “I would like you to meet Mary. She’s from Galilee and engaged to be married to Joseph.” None of us would have dared to add to our introduction: “She’s a virgin!” But it’s a very important thing St. Luke wants us to know and he tells us she’s a virgin even before he tells us Mary’s name. Why? Because Mary would conceive in a miraculous way, through the power of the Holy Spirit. That alone was spectacular, but that was only the beginning of the most unique and wonderful event this world would ever see. This king, who would be conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, would be more than the ordinary, run of the mill king. This king, the messiah, the christos; that is, the anointed one, would be king over a kingdom that would never end. To top that, because he was conceived by God’s own Spirit, he would be the “Son of God.”
 

                (4) Focusing on the Word - Cycle B Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson - 4th Sunday of Advent - December 18, 2005 continues 

This is an awesome mystery that God took on our human flesh and became like us in every way except sin. There is a special theological term for it: the Incarnation. The God, who dwelt among his people housed in a tent for many generations, now comes to live with his people as one of us, taking on our own flesh and blood. Sometimes people like to say Jesus was a great prophet or a great teacher or a great humanitarian but that’s all he was. The gospels tell us he is the Son of God. If he was less than that, there was nothing great about him because he was a crazy man, full of delusion and paranoia. There is no in-between position we can take on Jesus. [In today’s bulletin is a copy of the Catholic Update that gives a beautiful explanation of today’s gospel. I highly recommend it.]
 

                (5) Focusing on the Word - Cycle B Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson - 4th Sunday of Advent - December 18, 2005 continues 

How we live our faith depends on how firmly we believe in this wonderful event. If we truly believe God has come into our world and into our lives through Jesus, shouldn’t we try to spend time with him, shouldn’t we try to get to know him better and follow him as well as possible? If we are not ready to do that, could it be that our faith is little more than a lot of words?
 

                (6) Focusing on the Word - Cycle B Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson - 4th Sunday of Advent - December 18, 2005 continues 

One last thought. I would like you to notice the respect God showed Mary in the annunciation. God didn’t just tell her she would be the mother of such an awesome person. God asked her if she would be and waited for her answer. We have here a cue for how the Son of God can come to us more fully. We have here a cue for how Christmas can fully fill our hearts. We have here a cue for how to enjoy the blessings of his kingdom that will have no end. God's Son wants to live in each of us. As God did with Mary, God waits for each of us to answer him as to whether he is welcome. Are we able to say as Mary did: “I am the servant of the Lord. I will do whatever you want of me, Oh God.”

end of homily 

 

                (7) R. What an awesome mystery indeed —
                    That God came to this earth and took
                    on flesh — He came in the womb
                    of a human creature, Mary,
                    He loved us this much —

                (8) R. Ponder this love —
                    Can we not think how ardently God
                        loves us —
                    God wants love with His people —
                    God wants intimate love with each
                        individual we see in the Blue Book.

                (9) R. God so loved the world —

John 3: 16

For this is how God loved the world:
he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him 
    may not perish
but may have eternal life.
 

                    R. Paint a picture in your heart of
                        God's love —
                        See the beautiful babies God gives —
                        See ourselves a gift a beautiful baby —

                    God loves us so much —
                    Thank God for loving us —
                    Ponder this love He has for us —
                    Then love ourselves as God's beautiful
                        creation and servant —

                (10) R. God made us to love —
                    God created us in His image and likeness
                    God wants us to grow in this image and likeness —
                    Jesus came to teach us how to love —
                    Jesus came to teach us to be like Him
                                                                AWESOME!!

    

 

                The Visitation

                (1) Luke 1: 39-45

Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could into the hill country to a town in Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now it happened that as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? Look, the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’
 

                (2) Sing: Holy Is His Name

                (3) Focusing on the Word - Cycle B Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - February 5, 2006 

INTRODUCTION – (Job 7, 1-4. 6-7; Mark 1, 29-39) The book of Job was written about 400-500 years before Christ. At that time the Jews did not know about reward and punishment in the next life. In their view, the spirits of the dead simply dwelled in a place called Sheol, where they were neither happy nor unhappy. Yet the Jews believed that God was fair and just and that God rewarded those who were good and punished those who were evil. Having no concept of happiness or unhappiness in the next life, they could only conclude that good people would be rewarded in this life and bad people would be punished. So, they reasoned that if someone was successful and prosperous, they must be good people because God was rewarding them so generously, and if someone was sick or was suffering in some way, they must be bad people even if their evil deeds were known only by God. But their theology was not reality. Good people do suffer and bad people often get by with murder. That is the issue the book of Job tries to deal with. Job is introduced to us as a genuinely good person (God himself says what a good man he is) and initially he is prosperous and successful in every way. But a number of catastrophes come along that destroy his fortune, his family and his health. Today we hear Job at an extremely low point in his life. If you’ve never known depression, this is a good description of it. Job’s lament prepares us for the gospel where we hear about Jesus saving people from sickness and suffering.
 

                (4) Focusing on the Word - Cycle B Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - February 5, 2006 

HOMILY – Jesus did not invent the idea of healing people miraculously. When I was visiting Greece several years ago, I stopped to visit an ancient shrine to the Greek god, Asclepius, who, in mythology, was the son of Apollo. It was a place of healing, and hanging on the walls of the shrine were little plaster molds of body parts that people believed Asclepius had healed. The Hebrew Scriptures (a.k.a. the Old Testament) tell us of the healing power of the prophets Elijah and Elisha over 800 years before Christ. But there is no person or no movement or no god in any of the ancient writings who is more associated with healing than Jesus Christ. Healing was as much a part of his ministry as teaching. Indeed his healings were a way of teaching. His healings taught about the power of God, the love of God, the power of faith. His healings were concrete, tangible signs of the hidden spiritual healing and life he came to bring us.
 

                (5) Focusing on the Word - Cycle B Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - February 5, 2006 continues

Healing did not stop with Jesus. In the Acts of the Apostles we read how his apostles continued his work of healing. You could almost say that Christianity was as much a religion of healing as it was a religion promising us eternal life if we live a good life. About four hundred years after Christ, St. Augustine, the great theologian, claimed that the time for healings had ceased. He said they were needed in the early Church to help the Church grow, but by his time they were not necessary. Shortly before St. Augustine died, he wrote that he had been wrong about that. As bishop he had witnessed many healings in his own diocese and that God continues to cure people through prayer and through the power of the risen Jesus.
 

                (6) Focusing on the Word - Cycle B Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - February 5, 2006 continues

From the beginning, the Church has had a sacrament to pray for the sick but in later centuries it was used only to prepare people for death. The sacrament is based on the words of St. James in his epistle - when someone is sick they should call for the priests of the church and be anointed with oil. Gratefully, Vatican II restored it to its original purpose of praying for healing. It is still given when a person is near death because it is also a source of spiritual healing, grace and peace.

The age of miracles was not over at the time of St. Augustine and it is not over today. One proof of that is there must be evidence of true miracles attributed to every person who is canonized. Our late pope, John Paul, canonized a lot of people in his pontificate.


                (7) Focusing on the Word - Cycle B Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - February 5, 2006 continues

I have seen people healed almost immediately through prayer; however, in my experience prayer for healing must be ongoing. If I were Jesus, I could heal everyone in a minute, but I’m not Jesus. I’m more like a 1.5 volt battery trying to do the work of a huge dynamo (Jesus is the dynamo). At the same time, since the sacraments are the actions of Christ, there is a power at work in them that is greater than any power any human person has on their own. The power at work in the sacraments is the power of Christ.

Tonight after Mass I will offer the sacrament of the sick to anyone who wishes to receive it. It is for an illness that is more than just a simple cold, but a person need not wait until they are almost dead in order to ask for it. Like all the sacraments, it must be received with faith trusting that God is definitely present in the sacrament and in some way will touch the person receiving it with gracious love. Let us know also that we have some responsibility for our own health and we must take good care of ourselves and we should see a doctor when we need to. We cannot abuse our bodies by continuing to do things that are unhealthy and expect God to make everything right. As we continue the Mass, let us pray for the health and healing of all our parishioners and their families. 
 

                (8) R. Elizabeth was thought barren and yet she
                    conceived John the Baptist in her old age

                (9) R. There were many barren women in the
                    Old Testament we talked about who conceived —
                    Joseph (Jacob and Rebekah's son) was one of Jacob's
                    later sons, but he is known for all
                    he was called to do in salvation history —

                    Rebekah had trouble conceiving Esau and
                        Jacob and Isaac prayed —

                    God is a God of miracles and healings —

                    God created the seen and unseen
                        from nothing —
 

                (10) Luke 1: 46-55

And Mary said:

My soul proclaims
    the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit rejoices
    in God my Saviour;
because he has looked upon
    the humiliation of his servant.
Yes, from now onwards
    all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty
    has done great things for me.
Holy is his name,
and his faithful love extends age after age
    to those who fear him.
He has used the power of his arm,
he has routed the arrogant of heart.
He has pulled down princes
    from their thrones
        and raised high the lowly.
He has filled the starving with good things,
    sent the rich away empty.
He has come to the help
    of Israel his servant,
        mindful of his faithful love
—according to the promise
    he made to our ancestors—
of his mercy to Abraham
    and to his descendants for ever.

 

  

                The Birth of Jesus

                (1) R. Parents are blessed with children —
                    Parents are co-creators with the Father —

                (2) R. When a child is baptized, God-Parents
                    have a life long responsibility to
                    help raise the child as a child of God in faith.

                (3) R. Let us pray for all parents and
                    God-parents —

                (4) R. We see Jesus was born in poverty in
                    Bethlehem — in a cave —
                    Should we not see that what is
                    important with children is
                    our Christian faith — we can
                    focus on worldly goods and riches,
                    things they need to live —
                    but what about the responsibility
                    to teach them about God —
                    to teach them about heaven and
                    knowing and serving and loving God —
 

                (5) Ezekiel 11: 17-20

So say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: I shall gather you back from the peoples, I shall collect you in from the countries where you have been scattered and give you the land of Israel. When they come back, they will purge it of all its horrors and loathsome practices. I shall give them a single heart and I shall put a new spirit in them; I shall remove the heart of stone from their bodies and give them a heart of flesh, so that they can keep my laws and respect my judgements and put them into practice. Then they will be my people and I shall be their God.
 

                (6) Psalm 23 

Yahweh is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 
In grassy meadows he lets me lie. 

By tranquil streams he leads me 
    to restore my spirit. 
He guides me in paths of saving justice 
    as befits his name. 

Even were I to walk in a ravine as dark as death 
I should fear no danger, for you are at my side. 
Your staff and your crook are there to soothe me. 

You prepare a table for me 
    under the eyes of my enemies; 
you anoint my head with oil; 
    my cup brims over. 

Kindness and faithful love pursue me 
    every day of my life. 
I make my home in the house of Yahweh 
    for all time to come.

 

                (7) R. Jesus at birth was amongst the sheep and
                    shepherds

                    The little Good Shepherd —
 

                (8) Romans 6: 3-11

You cannot have forgotten that all of us, when we were baptised into Christ Jesus, were baptised into his death. So by our baptism into his death we were buried with him, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glorious power, we too should begin living a new life. If we have been joined to him by dying a death like his, so we shall be by a resurrection like his: realising that our former self was crucified with him, so that the self which belonged to sin should be destroyed and we should be freed from the slavery of sin. Someone who has died, of course, no longer has to answer for sin.

But we believe that, if we died with Christ, then we shall live with him too. We know that Christ has been raised from the dead and will never die again. Death has no power over him any more. For by dying, he is dead to sin once and for all, and now the life that he lives is life with God. In the same way, you must see yourselves as being dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus.
 

                (9) Sing: Come to the Water

                (10) Sing: What Star is This that Shines so Bright

Revelation 12: 1-2

     Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman, robed with the sun, standing on the moon, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant, and in labour, crying aloud in the pangs of childbirth.

    

 

                The Presentation in the Temple

                (1) Luke 2: 25-34

Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to the restoration of Israel and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:

    Now, Master, you are letting 
        your servant go in peace 
    as you promised; 
    for my eyes have seen the salvation 
    which you have made ready 
        in the sight of the nations; 
    a light of revelation for the gentiles 
    and glory for your people Israel.

As the child’s father and mother were wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Look, he is destined for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is opposed—

 

                (2) ♫ Little Baby Hands and Feet

                (3) Sing: Come Lord Jesus —
                                Send us Your Spirit
                                Renew the face of the earth —
                                Repeat this

                (4)

Luke 1: 48

because he has looked upon
the humiliation of his servant.
Yes, from now onwards
all generations will call me blessed,

 

                (5) Psalm 12: 6

Yahweh's promises are promises unalloyed,
natural silver which comes from the earth seven times refined.
 

 

Luke 1: 46-47

The Magnificat

And Mary said:
My soul proclaims
the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit rejoices
in God my Saviour;

 

                (6) Luke 2: 19

As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.

   

Ephesians 4: 24

so that you could put on the New Man that has been created on God’s principles, in the uprightness and holiness of the truth.

 

                (7) Psalm 27: 1, 4, 8-9, 13-14

Yahweh is my light and my salvation, 
    whom should I fear? 
Yahweh is the fortress of my life, 
    whom should I dread?

One thing I ask of Yahweh, 
    one thing I seek: 
to dwell in Yahweh’s house 
    all the days of my life, 
to enjoy the sweetness of Yahweh, 
    to seek out his temple.

Of you my heart has said, 
    ‘Seek his face!’ 
Your face, Yahweh, I seek; 
    do not turn away from me. 

Do not thrust aside your servant in anger, 
    without you I am helpless. 
Never leave me, never forsake me, 
    God, my Saviour.

This I believe: I shall see the goodness of Yahweh, 
    in the land of the living. 
Put your hope in Yahweh, be strong, let your heart be bold, 
    put your hope in Yahweh.

 

                    Sing: Remember Your Love
 

                (8) 1 John 3: 1

You must see what great love
the Father has lavished on us
by letting us be called God's children-
which is what we are!
The reason why the world
    does not acknowledge us
is that it did not acknowledge him.
 

                (9) Ephesians 5: 25-27

Husbands should love their wives, just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her to make her holy by washing her in cleansing water with a form of words, so that when he took the Church to himself she would be glorious, with no speck or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and faultless.
 

                (10) 1 Corinthians 11: 24-25

and after he had given thanks, he broke it, and he said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ And in the same way, with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of me.’

 

                The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

                (1) Luke 2: 41-52

Every year his parents used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When the days of the feast were over and they set off home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was somewhere in the party, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere. 

    It happened that, three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’ He replied, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ But they did not understand what he meant. He went down with them then and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and with people.
 

                (2) 2 Corinthians 11: 18, 21-30 

So many people boast on merely human grounds that I shall too.

I say it to your shame; perhaps we have been too weak. Whatever bold claims anyone makes — now I am talking as a fool — I can make them too. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I speak in utter folly — I am too, and more than they are: I have done more work, I have been in prison more, I have been flogged more severely, many times exposed to death. Five times I have been given the thirty-nine lashes by the Jews; three times I have been beaten with sticks; once I was stoned; three times I have been shipwrecked, and once I have been in the open sea for a night and a day; continually travelling, I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from brigands, in danger from my own people and in danger from the gentiles, in danger in the towns and in danger in the open country, in danger at sea and in danger from people masquerading as brothers; I have worked with unsparing energy, for many nights without sleep; I have been hungry and thirsty, and often altogether without food or drink; I have been cold and lacked clothing. And, besides all the external things, there is, day in day out, the pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. If anyone weakens, I am weakened as well; and when anyone is made to fall, I burn in agony myself. If I have to boast, I will boast of all the ways in which I am weak. 
 

                (3) Psalm 32: 11, 19 

Rejoice in Yahweh, exult all you upright, shout for joy, you honest of heart.  

to rescue them from death and keep them alive in famine.
 

                    R. The Child Jesus is all good —
                    See the Child Jesus with His
                        Sacred Heart —
 

                (4) John 7: 37-38

On the last day, the great day of the festival, Jesus stood and cried out: 

    ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me! 
Let anyone who believes in me 
    come and drink! 

As scripture says, "From his heart shall flow streams of living water." ’ 
 

                (5) Romans 5: 5; 8: 11

and a hope which will not let us down, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.

So it is proof of God’s own love for us, that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. How much more can we be sure, therefore, that, now that we have been justified by his death, we shall be saved through him from the retribution of God. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more can we be sure that, being now reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. What is more, we are filled with exultant trust in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have already gained our reconciliation.
 

                (6) Ephesians 5: 19-20

Sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs among yourselves, singing and chanting to the Lord in your hearts, always and everywhere giving thanks to God who is our Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 

                (7) Psalm 137: 1

By the rivers of Babylon
we sat and wept
at the memory of Zion.
 

                (8) Daniel 3: 68, 70-74

Bless the Lord, dew and snow-storm,
praise and glorify him for ever! 

Bless the Lord, ice and snow,
praise and glorify him for ever! 
Bless the Lord, nights and days,
praise and glorify him for ever!
Bless the Lord, light and darkness,
praise and glorify him for ever! 
Bless the Lord, lightning and cloud,
praise and glorify him for ever! 

Let the earth bless the Lord
praise and glorify him for ever! 
 

                (9) Psalm 116: 1-2

I am filled with love when Yahweh listens
    to the sound of my prayer,
when he bends down to hear me,
    as I call.
 

                (10) Matthew 28: 20

and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And look, I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’

 

   

 

Mysteries of Light

 

                The Baptism of Jesus

                (1) R. Jesus was baptized in the Jordon by
                    John.

                (2) Steadfast to the Son - Cycle A Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson
 

Baptism of the Lord - January 13, 2008

INTRODUCTION: The words of the prophet Isaiah in today’s first reading go back 500 years before Christ.  This passage was intended for the Jews who were in exile in Babylon.  God is, through the prophet, introducing a person referred to only as God’s servant to his people.  God is quite pleased with his servant. In a non-violent way, God's servant will establish justice in the world, be a light to the nations and liberation for captives.  Scholars debate who this servant might have been 500 years before Christ, but with the coming of Christ, there is no doubt who is God's perfect servant.  At Jesus’ baptism, God introduces Jesus to the world, not just as his servant, but as his beloved Son with whom he is well-pleased.

 

                (3) Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7

Here is my servant whom I uphold, 
my chosen one 
    in whom my soul delights. 
I have sent my spirit upon him, 
he will bring fair judgement to the nations. 
He does not cry out or raise his voice, 
his voice is not heard in the street; 
he does not break the crushed reed 
or snuff the faltering wick. 
Faithfully he presents fair judgement; 
he will not grow faint, 
    he will not be crushed 
until he has established 
    fair judgement on earth, 
and the coasts and islands 
    are waiting for his instruction.     

I, Yahweh, have called you 
    in saving justice, 
I have grasped you by the hand 
    and shaped you; 
I have made you a covenant of the people 
and light to the nations, 
to open the eyes of the blind, 
to free captives from prison, 
and those who live in darkness 
    from the dungeon. 

 

                (4) Steadfast to the Son - Cycle A Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson
 

Baptism of the Lord - January 13, 2008

 

HOMILY: If you struggle to understand the baptism of Jesus, you’re not alone.  Even John the Baptist had difficulty understanding why Jesus came to him for baptism.  As John said “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” 

 

The baptism of Jesus is a mystery worthy of our contemplation.  Certainly Pope John Paul considered it as something worth meditating on when he made it one of the mysteries in the new set of mysteries he created for the rosary: the luminous mysteries or the mysteries of light. 
 

                (5) Steadfast to the Son - Cycle A Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson - Baptism of the Lord - January 13, 2008 excerpt


First I want to point out one way in which the baptism of Jesus by John was totally different from our sacrament of baptism.  Then I want to mention one way in which they are similar. 

 

If I were to ask the average Catholic what do you think of when you hear the word baptism, most would answer, “Baptism takes away original sin.” That’s true but there is a better answer.  Let me illustrate.  (show wallet)  Now many of you know what this is: a wallet.  And it’s empty, and some of you might relate to that too.  That’s basically what original sin is.  It is emptiness, like this wallet.  It’s a big nothing.  We are empty of God’s grace and life.  Suppose, for example, by some unbelievable odds, I would win a million dollars in the lottery.  I would get that big check (less taxes) and put it in the wallet.  If someone were to ask me, “what’s in your wallet?,”  I don’t know what I would tell them, but I don’t think I would answer “the emptiness in my wallet is gone.”  But that’s what we say when we define baptism as the sacrament that takes away original sin.  That definition only emphasizes the emptiness and not the fullness.  It doesn’t reflect the blessings that suddenly fill us at baptism: the blessings of God’s life, of being children of God, the blessings of the Holy Spirit, the blessing of belonging to the family of God, the blessing and hope of sharing in eternal happiness with God.  In Jesus there was no emptiness.  In him dwells the fullness of the divinity (Col. 2,9) as St. Paul tells us.  He was, from all eternity, God’s beloved Son.  Jesus had no need of baptism in any form. In this respect Jesus’ baptism by John made no change in him as the sacrament of baptism did for us.  Jesus baptism by John provides an occasion for us to reflect on our own baptism and the grace that it brought us. 

 

Now I want to describe one way in which Jesus’ baptism by John and the sacrament of baptism we received are similar.  They are similar in that they are both a commitment.  John’s baptism was a public commitment people made to live holy lives and to prepare for the coming of God’s kingdom.  Jesus, in being baptized, was publicly committing himself to do God’s will and to preach and build the kingdom of God.  Baptism is that for us too.  We are committed in a public event to belong to God, to be God’s obedient child, God’s lover, God’s representative.  It’s something like declaring one’s candidacy, not for public office, but for the office of Christian in the world.  Most likely someone made that commitment for us, most probably our parents.  They made that commitment for us with the intention of directing us in God’s ways.  Eventually, we have to make that commitment our own if our baptism is going to mean anything at all.  On this feast of the baptism of Jesus, we have a good opportunity to recommit ourselves to Jesus. The effects and blessings of baptism remain with us as long as we do not turn our hearts away from the Father who long ago chose us to be his son or daughter in the sacrament.  In this way Jesus’ baptism by John is very much like our own, not a private, secret event but a public, open declaration of our commitment to love and serve God and others as Jesus, the perfect Son of God did.  Amen. 
 

                (6) Renewal of Baptismal Promises

V. Do you reject Satan?
R. I do.
V. And all his works?
R. I do.
V. And all his empty promises?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.
 

V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.

V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

                (7) Sing: Come to the Water

 

                (8) From Blue Book IV - September 10, 1994 Rosary - Resurrection - excerpt

Mary: Oh, my beloved children, if you could see what I saw. If you could see my Son's Life. You can experience His Life in your heart. Pray to be led by the Spirit to know and love God more. I am your loving Mother. Through my Heart I lead you to the Heart of my dearest Son. The Spirit will give you His gifts to lead you closer and closer to the love of God. It is through Jesus you are led to the Father. I am your Mother and I forever take you to the gentle Heart of my Son.

My Son loves you so much. I saw my Son born. I saw Him die and I saw Him rise for your life eternal. Do not throw away this great gift, the gift of Himself. He gave that you might live.

It is in your commitment to my Son, it is in your love and service to Him that you will inherit the Kingdom prepared for you. I saw Him as a Baby, I watched Him as a Child and I saw Him suffer so for love of you. He gave His Life that you would have life.  
   

                (9) From Blue Book IV - September 11, 1994 - Your Offering Is Pleasing to the Father - excerpt

Jesus:  You realize this union within you. Your struggles may be times when you are deeply united to Me. Spend your moments being aware of My constant love for you.  Discipline your thoughts to put worry aside and focus on My love.  My love never falters, it is forever burning in your heart.  I love you so much.
   

                (10) From Blue Book IV - September 11, 1994 - Mary's Heart - excerpt

Prayer: Mary, through your Immaculate Heart, place us in the deepest part of Jesus' Heart so we can more deeply love Him. It is through your Heart and Jesus' Heart we want to have a deeper union with the Father.

Dear Holy Spirit, impart to us Your gifts to lead us to such love, to union with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Lead us in Your ways to know God and love Him more fully. Give us all Your seven gifts: Wisdom, Knowledge, Piety, Fear of the Lord, Understanding, Fortitude, Counsel. Lead us to greater union with God. Impart to us the fire of Your love. Where we were once blind, let us see. Fill us with Your love, Oh, Holy Spirit, through Mary's Immaculate Heart, we pray. Amen.

 

 

                The Marriage at Cana

                (1) John 2: 1-10  

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. And they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the feast had all been used, and the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said, ‘Woman, what do you want from me? My hour has not come yet.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’  There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water,’ and they filled them to the brim. Then he said to them, ‘Draw some out now and take it to the president of the feast.’ They did this; the president tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from—though the servants who had drawn the water knew—the president of the feast called the bridegroom and said, ‘Everyone serves good wine first and the worse wine when the guests are well wined; but you have kept the best wine till now.’
 

                (2) Steadfast to the Son - Cycle A Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time - June 22, 2008

INTRODUCTION: The prophet, Jeremiah lived in Israel about 600 years before Christ. The Babylonian destruction of Israel was immanent. The Babylonians came from modern day Iraq. Their capital, Babylon, was located just 100 miles south of Baghdad. Jeremiah was warning God’s people that they could avoid the destruction that was on its way if they started living according to God’s laws (most of which were being flagrantly ignored or violated. The people didn’t like the message, so they decided to kill Jeremiah. His words in today’s first reading reflect the pain and misery he experienced for being faithful to his mission. We should not be shocked when we hear him pray that God take vengeance on his persecutors. After all, he was human and not as perfect as Jesus who was able to pray for those who crucified him.

Our first reading leads into the gospel. As we heard last Sunday, Jesus had just chosen his twelve apostles. In today’s gospel he prepares to send them out as missionaries. He is warning them their message will not always be well received, they may even suffer and die for it, but they must preach with courage and not be afraid of what might happen to them if they meet rejection.
 

                (3) Jeremiah 20: 10-13

I heard so many disparaging me,
'Terror on every side!
Denounce him! Let us denounce him!'
All those who were on good terms with me
watched for my downfall,
'Perhaps he will be seduced into error.
Then we shall get the better of him
and take our revenge!'
But Yahweh is at my side
    like a mighty hero;
my opponents will stumble, vanquished,
confounded by their failure;
everlasting, unforgettable disgrace
    will be theirs.
Yahweh Sabaoth,
    you who test the upright,
observer of motives and thoughts,
    I shall see your vengeance on them,
for I have revealed my cause to you.
Sing to Yahweh,
praise Yahweh,
for he has delivered the soul of one in need
from the clutches of evil doers.
 

                (4) Steadfast to the Son - Cycle A Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time - June 22, 2008

HOMILY: Pope John Paul II had as his motto: “Be not afraid.” Of course, he was quoting our Lord whom we just heard give the same mandate to his apostles in today’s gospel, “Do not be afraid.” Since God knows how many hairs are on our head and is aware when even a little sparrow dies, then he’s aware of every detail of our own lives. Although he is aware, and cares, he does not guarantee us that bad things will not happen to us. Ups and downs are part of our existence and they even happened to God’s holy prophets and to Jesus himself. Because God is aware and he cares he tells us not to fear, for he is in control and will make everything turn out right for those who are faithful to him.

“Be not afraid.” Sometimes that’s easier said than done. Fear is built into us and we feel it when we feel threatened. If fear were not a part of our nature, we wouldn’t even exist today, because long ago our ancestors would not have had sense to get out of the way of charging wild animals, saber tooth tigers or poisonous snakes. Nor would we be moved to get out of the way of cars and trucks coming at us 50 miles an hour. Fear enables us to survive, to know when to fight, to know when to run. But sometimes it gets out of control and takes over our life, whether that fear comes from a real threat or an imagined one. Faith is a big help to deal with fear, and sharing our fears with a trusted friend can be helpful, but sometimes fear is so controlling that counseling or medication is required.
 

                (5) Sing: Be Not Afraid

                (6) Steadfast to the Son - Cycle A Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson - 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time - June 22, 2008 continues

I think when Jesus tells us not to fear, he’s not talking about the spontaneous reaction we feel when we are threatened, he’s telling us not to worry and to put on trust in him that things will come out alright in the end. The words of St. Paul, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God” (Rom 8,28), have been a constant help to me to stay together during very trying times. One thing Jesus does tell us to fear is God! “Do not be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” In Old Testament times Gehenna was a place of human sacrifice to pagan idols. At the time of Jesus it was a garbage dump, which was constantly burning. Thus Gehenna became the symbol of evil and hell. Jesus’ words confuse some people! Aren’t we supposed to love God, but if we fear him, how can we love him? Doesn’t St. John tell us “perfect love casts out fear?” All of that is true. For those who have a “reward and punishment” view of life, a little fear might help them stay on the straight and narrow. For those who have moved beyond the “reward and punishment” stage, this fear that Jesus talks about is the fear of being unfaithful to God or having a sense of awe, respect and reverence when we approach God. Those who fear God in this way will approach him with awe, respect and reverence frequently. In either case, a little healthy fear of God will greatly reduce our fear of other things in life, including death itself.

I know from many years of dealing with people that if we are at peace with God and know the Lord is with us, there will be fewer things in life that can upset us or frighten us. Amen.  


                (7) From Blue Book IV - September 26, 1994 - 2:30 a.m. - I Searched For You - I Love You in My Brothers

Jesus:  Little one, little one, are you learning the lessons I so sweetly teach you, the lessons of My love?  You, child, are never alone.  If the earth shakes and the sun ceases to shine, My heart forever burns for you. (You saw My heart pulsate on the picture.  Does My heart ever cease to beat with such love for you?)

  I am the Alpha and the Omega. I am your all. I am Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God.  You, My child, run to My arms.  Let My beloved Mother place you in My most tender heart.  There you will know such love, love as is not found in this world. This is the love I have for you, sweet one.  My love, My ardent burning love!

R.  Enkindle in me, Lord, the fire of your Spirit.

Jesus:  You will radiate with My glow within your very soul.

I want to be ever more united to you in deeper love. Let go. This union is enhanced by loving others. See the God that lives in them. Your brothers were created by the hand of the Father. I am in your brothers.  Love Me in each person. Do not look to criticize your brothers, look to love them.  Love your brothers, I am in them. They are the reflection of the God who created them.

  Love, love, love. I loved those who persecuted Me.

Go to the Father. Dwell in My most precious heart. Live in the love of the Spirit through your beloved Mother. You are our most precious child.
 

                (8) From Blue Book IV - September 26, 1994 - 2:30 a.m. - I Searched For You - I Love You in My Brothers continues

R.  I forever want to be saturated with Your grace. I love Your life alive in me, God. To know you, Lord, is to seek you. I know You in my children, in my husband, in my brothers I talk to.

  Oh, Jesus, how little I know you! In your infinite wisdom, you impart to me little bits of your love and knowledge. I have such a hungry appetite for you. I want you more and more, Lord. I seek you, I love you, I want you, I thirst after you. Help me to see you in my brothers.

  I am as a speck in your infinitude. I see so little, I want so much more.  I am so thirsty, my Lord, for you.  I love you with all my heart and soul. I want to be lost in the infinite love of Your Heart. I stand knocking to go deeper and deeper into your love. 

  I want greater knowledge of you to love you ever more. It is for you I live. Let me go into Your Heart. I want to be so deep in Your Heart as to be lost and surrounded by Your love. I want to be deep, deep within Your Heart. I ask Your most loving Mother to place me deeply in your beating Heart.

  I love you so much! I need you, Lord.

  My thirst is only satisfied by you. My longing is for you. As I grow in your love, I seek you more. I am searching for God. I seek you, God, where I am. I have joy and peace as I seek you. It is the will of the Father that I am here at this very moment. You are alive this day. You are in our midst. I know You created the little child that smiles at me. I know You created the beauty in the green trees. I am so grateful for Your gifts given to me, God, in Your creation. I long to behold You, God. Every person was created by God the Father.

  I searched, Lord, for your love. I find You in my brothers. You live and dwell in their hearts. To put on Christ, I must love as He loved. He loved those who persecuted Him and tore His flesh. He loved all that put Him to death. He showed us the way. May I forever grow in my deep love of Him. I must see Him in you. We were created to know, love and serve God. We were created to follow His commandments. He wills us to love Him and love one another.

 

                (9) From Blue Book IV - September 23, 1994 - Live Your Life for Me

Jesus: I come that you might have life and have it to the full. What matters child? I am with you at this moment and your heart is thinking about other things. Come to Me and release yourself to My presence. I am God and I am totally with you this day. You wonder, you search, you become very lost and before you, is He Who knows the way. I know all things, not some, - all! Come to Me and release yourself into My loving arms. I am He Who sustains you.
 

                (10) From Blue Book IV - September 23, 1994 - Live Your Life for Me continues

R. The thirst in my soul for God's love. I see His love ever present in you this day. I seek with my whole heart the love of God. He has given us to one another to be reflections of His love. In our darkest hour each person is still a reflection of God who created them.

  Each person was divinely created by God the Father. We were created in love, we are the product of His love. To be more like Christ we must seek the life of Christ alive in our souls. This is a gift from God! At baptism we are given new life. This life is given to us from God. This is a gift - the sacraments of the Church. This is a gift from God.

— At baptism we receive a special sharing in His life.

— Our knowing and loving capacity is elevated.

— This life is not sterile, dry and inactive.

— This life is the vibrant love of God, active in our very being. God lives and dwells in our soul.

  This presence is more or less intense, depending on our union with Him.

   He is forever present in a special way when we are baptized and in the state of grace.

We must be Christ-like.

  His life is active.

We receive special grace through the sacraments.

We get very much grace when we go to the Eucharist and sit before the Blessed Sacrament.

I thirst after His love. I see God in you.

 

  

                The Kingdom of God

                (1) Ezekiel 34: 11-12, 15, 17 

    “For the Lord Yahweh says this: Look, I myself shall take care of my flock and look after it. As a shepherd looks after his flock when he is with his scattered sheep, so shall I look after my sheep. I shall rescue them from wherever they have been scattered on the day of clouds and darkness. 

I myself shall pasture my sheep, I myself shall give them rest–declares the Lord Yahweh. I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the injured and make the sick strong. I shall watch over the fat and healthy. I shall be a true shepherd to them."

    "As for you, my sheep, the Lord Yahweh says this: I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and he–goats.

 

                (2) Steadfast to the Son - Cycle A Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson

Christ the King - November 23, 2008

INTRODUCTION: (Ezekiel 34, 11-12. 15-17; I Cor. 15, 20-26.28; Matthew 25, 31-46) Today we honor Christ as our King. Our scripture readings do not picture him as a typical king. In our first reading Ezekiel, the prophet, pictures God as a shepherd. God is distressed with the shepherds of his people; i.e., the kings and religious leaders. They led God’s people away from God and to eventual disaster when the Babylonians invaded. God said he would lead them rightly. We see this prophecy perfectly fulfilled in Jesus. In our second reading St. Paul is writing on the topic of the resurrection. Paul tells us the risen Jesus will reign until all evil in the world is destroyed, even death, and then he will turn the kingdom over to the Father. In the gospel Jesus is pictured as a judge, a judge who judges us on how we behave toward the lowly and the poor. Thus we have three images of Christ the King: a shepherd, the risen Lord and the judge of all nations.
 

                (3) Daniel 7: 13-14

        I was gazing into the visions of the night,
       when I saw,
           coming on the clouds of heaven,
       as it were a son of man.
       He came to the One most venerable
       and was led into his presence.
       On him was conferred rule,
       honour and kingship,
       and all peoples, nations and languages
           became his servants.
       His rule is an everlasting rule
       which will never pass away,
       and his kingship will never come to an end.

 

                (4) Focusing on the Word - Cycle B Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson

Feast of Christ the King - November 26, 2006

INTRODUCTION – (Daniel 7, 13-14; Rev. 1, 5-8; John 18, 33b-37) Today again we hear from the book of Daniel, a book that was written during a time when the Jews were suffering a terrible persecution for their faith.  Today’s reading describes how God would triumph in the end.  God would establish a kingdom that would be everlasting.  God is here described as “the Ancient One.”  His kingdom would be ruled by one who is described as “like a son of man.”  God would give this “son of man” dominion, glory and kingship.  The term “son of man” simply means a human being, but today’s passage invests the term with new depth and mystery.  You might recall, “son of man” was the favorite term Jesus used to describe himself. 

 

                (5) Focusing on the Word - Cycle B Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson

Feast of Christ the King - November 26, 2006

HOMILY – You may be surprised to know that today’s feast was not established during the Middle Ages when most of the world was ruled by kings or emperors.  Today’s feast is very recent. It was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925, a time when kings and emperors were becoming increasingly a remnant of the past.  Pius XI instituted this feast as an attempt to counteract the atheism and secularism of that time. 

Today’s feast reminds us that with God there is no democracy.  It pleased God to establish a kingdom with Jesus his divine Son as our king.  In many ways he is unlike most of the other kings we may have heard of or read about.  I would like to mention just four of the things that are unique about Jesus as a king: 

 

                (6) Focusing on the Word - Cycle B Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson - Feast of Christ the King - November 26, 2006 continues

(1) First of all, belonging to his kingdom is intentional.  He doesn’t come around with soldiers and weapons to force us into submission.  He invites us to follow him.  Coercion is not his style, rather he leads us by faith and love. 

(2) As a king he does not live in a castle or go parading around in fancy garb or expensive jewels or need to be transported in big limousines or private jets.  He does not need to display his position for his dignity and greatness are beyond this world.  We see him in today’s gospel, looking like the bad guy, on trial for violation of Jewish and Roman law. Yet it seems Pilate is the one on trial, not knowing how to honestly deal with this man in front of him.  Hearing this passage we realize we are on trial too as to whether we belong to the truth for he said: “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” 

 

                (7) Focusing on the Word - Cycle B Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson - Feast of Christ the King - November 26, 2006 continues

(3) Kings tend to be distant and aloof from their people.  They can’t be otherwise, because they have so many people to govern.  Jesus, as our king, is close to each of us; not only close to us but he is one with us.  “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.”  (Jn. 14,23)  He is the shepherd who seeks out the lost sheep, because each of us is important to him.

(4) Every king will enjoy his position of authority only for a time.  It may be many decades, such as Louis XIV who reigned for 72 years in France, or it may be a few days until death or a rival overthrows them.  Christ’s kingdom will last forever. 

As any king he gives us laws which he expects us to follow.  The obedience he demands is not for his own self-interest but for our well being.  He knows what will result in our happiness or unhappiness, so he commands us to do those things that will bring us happiness - not just momentary happiness (which sometimes sin brings us), but eternal happiness. 

Kings, indeed any ruling power, requires those that are governed to pay taxes.  How else can a government survive?  Even God has taxes.  In the Old Testament, God required 10% be given to the Lord and to the poor.  Jesus too asks us to help each other, especially those who are needy among us.  But there’s something equally important we must give to the Lord: our time.  People have to spend time together for any relationship to begin, be sustained or survive.  One minimum requirement he gave us is that we give God an hour on Sunday (or Saturday evening).  But that is a minimum.  If we want our relationship with God to grow, we need more than that. 

Our feast today reminds us there is a power in this universe that is greater than the power of physical strength, the power of hatred, the power of wealth and the power of bombs.  It is the power of truth and love.  This power is revealed to us in Jesus Christ.  The power of Jesus Christ will overcome all the powers of evil.  There may be challenging and difficult times.  We may wonder where our world is headed.  We may be worried about Iran, North Korea, terrorists, Iraq.  We may think, and rightly so, that morality is going down the sewer.  Yet, in the big picture, evil will not win out.  Returning to our first reading we heard that to the Son of Man was given dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations and languages would serve him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.  Amen.

end of homily

 

                (8) 2 Samuel 5: 1-3

David is anointed king of Israel

All the tribes of Israel then came to David at Hebron and said, 'Look, we are your own flesh and bone. In days past when Saul was our king, it was you who led Israel on its campaigns, and to you it was that Yahweh promised, "You are to shepherd my people Israel and be leader of Israel." 'So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a pact with them in Yahweh's presence at Hebron, and they anointed David as king of Israel.

 

                (9) Feed My Soul - Cycle C Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson

Christ the King - November 25, 2007

INTRODUCTION: When the first king of Israel, King Saul, was killed in battle, the southern part of Israel chose David as their king. The northern part chose Ishbaal, King Saul’s son, to be their king. Ishbaal was inept and after seven years of chaos, the northern tribes turned to David and asked him to rule them also. This is where our first reading comes in. David was a successful leader and, in spite of some serious misbehavior, was viewed throughout Jewish history as an ideal king. The Jews always hoped for another king like him. When a king assumed his office, he was anointed and thus the ideal king the Jews longed for was often referred to as “the anointed one.” The Hebrew word for this is “Mashiah,” or as we say it: “Messiah.” When Mashiah is translated into Greek we have “Χριστός.” So when we call Jesus “Christ” we are in effect saying Jesus, the King. Christ’s kingdom is not an earthly one, as St. Paul tells us, but it is eternal and a sharing in God’s own authority and power.

 

                (10) From Blue Book IV - September 3, 1994 - I Know More the Persons of the Trinity - September 3, 1994

R. I am realizing more and more the presence of God at all times. Interiorly, I am constantly aware of this Presence of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This Presence is so strong that I cannot feel abandoned.

I am as the baby at the breast. I know my loving Father more and more and I know He will care for me. I know that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are forever with me. I feel as if I have a coating on me, between me and the world, and I am so protected by this interior union.

No one can ever touch this union with God. This is why I live to be forever connected as one with Him. The more I become one in Him, the more I experience this protection.

The wind may come and blow, you may be rocked in your place, but the interior life of the love of God is forever in my breast.

I have an awareness more and more that I love my brothers so much as I see them as created by my loving Father. He loves them so much. He is one with them. How can I not love them? I see less their faults and more their beauty as His creation. I know Jesus gave the last drop of His Blood for them and would die for them this very day. How could I hate anyone that He loves so much! To love Jesus is to love my brother. I cannot love Jesus and hate my brother. He is one with them. He is so good and loving. I love Him. I am one in Him and He is one in me. My brother is one in Him. If I am one with Jesus and I love Jesus, then I must love my brother because he is one with Jesus and we are all one, united in Him.

I am constantly aware that He allows everything that happens and I must accept it. If He allows me to suffer, it is with great love He allows this suffering. He forever watches us and guards us and loves us. A little child doesn't stop and think about its mother's care and love. The child knows and operates with the assuredness he will be taken care of.

Lord, give to me the assuredness of a little child. Let me know I am forever loved by you. Let me operate with this certainly of your love.

God is loving and caring for me.

 

  

                The Transfiguration

                (1) Guiding Light - Focusing on the Word - Cycle B Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson

Transfiguration - August 6, 2006 

INTRODUCTION – Our first reading is from the book of Daniel (Dn. 7, 7-10.13-14).  The author of this book lived during the time the Greeks dominated most of the known world.  The Greeks were trying to get everyone to follow their religion (paganism) and any Jew who remained faithful to his or her Jewish faith was put to death.  This was the first time in the history of the world that people were persecuted for their beliefs.  The book of Daniel tried to offer the Jewish people hope: hope of a savior. This salvation comes from one like a “son of man” whom God endows with kingship and power.  Our reading is one of Daniel’s visions and it first describes God who is called the Ancient One - indicating God’s eternity.  The term “son of man” means simply a human being, but this “son of man” would be unique and would be the savior of God’s people.  This was the favorite title Jesus used in referring to himself.  The glory of God is described in today’s first reading. It is shown through Christ in his Transfiguration, which is described in today’s gospel (Mk. 9, 2-10), and in today’s second reading from the Second Letter of St. Peter (1, 16-19).

 

                (2) Daniel 7: 7-10, 13-14

Next, in the visions of the night, I saw another vision: there before me was a fourth beast, fearful, terrifying, very strong; it had great iron teeth, and it ate its victims, crushed them, and trampled their remains underfoot. It was different from the previous beasts and had ten horns. 

    ‘While I was looking at these horns, I saw another horn sprouting among them, a little one; three of the original horns were pulled out by the roots to make way for it; and in this horn I saw eyes like human eyes, and a mouth full of boasting.

While I was watching,
thrones were set in place
and one most venerable took his seat.
His robe was white as snow,
the hair of his head as pure as wool.
His throne was a blaze of flames,
its wheels were a burning fire.
A stream of fire poured out,
issuing from his presence.
A thousand thousand waited on him,
ten thousand times ten thousand
   stood before him.
The court was in session
and the books lay open.

I was gazing into the visions of the night,
when I saw,
    coming on the clouds of heaven, 
as it were a son of man.
He came to the One most venerable
and was led into his presence.
On him was conferred rule,
honour and kingship,
and all peoples, nations and languages
    became his servants.
His rule is an everlasting rule
which will never pass away,
and his kingship will never come to an end. 

 

                (3) Focusing on the Word - Cycle B Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson - August 6, 2006 Transfiguration excerpt

Tradition identifies Mt. Tabor as the mountain of the Transfiguration.  It’s quite a climb to get to the top.  There is a chapel on top of the mountain commemorating the occasion of the Transfiguration.  I said Mass there sixteen years ago when I went with a study group to the Holy Land.  They had cars and buses to take us up the mountain.  I’m not surprised that Peter, James and John fell asleep, as St. Luke tells us in his gospel, when they went there with Jesus.  They didn’t have cars and buses and they would have been very tired when they got to the top.  But when they woke up their efforts to make it up to the top of that mountain with Jesus were well rewarded.  “It is good that we are here,” Peter said.  “Let us make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”  It sounds to me as if they were ready to stay there for several weeks, it was such an awesome experience.  As wonderful as it was, Jesus’ work wasn’t finished and neither was theirs.  They had to come back down to earth.
 

                (4) Matthew 17: 5

...‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’ 
 

                (5) Excerpt from February 28, 1999

Jesus: I speak now of My transfiguration.

January 9, 1994, My messenger received a message from the Father.

R. I was in St. Gertrude's Church and I was in the front of the church. I was looking at the crucifix, and I heard the Father speak: "My gift to you is My Son. This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased."

Please read the portion of the December 22, 1998 daily message that talks of this transfiguration when Christ appeared transfigured on January 9, 1996.

R. On the 20th of August, 1997, I was at St. Gertrude's and the Lord appeared transfigured on the cross. I heard the voice of the Father speak, "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased, listen to Him."
 
We must call to mind the apparition of Jesus on the cross, December 5, 1996, when He appeared at the point of death with His mouth moving. 
Later that evening in the rosary He said He moved His mouth. He did not speak any words because He said, "No one was listening."

This message ends the fourth book of messages from heaven.
It is most appropriate that we end this book with the accounts of these transfiguration experiences.
The Father spoke to me, August 20, 1997: "This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased, listen to Him."

end of excerpt

 

                (6) From my writings of January 9, 1996, I write:

"I was engulfed again in my love of God and cried so hard because I love Him so much. In this intimate act of giving myself totally to Him, my whole act was in emptying myself, wanting only to be lost in Him and united forever to Him in this most blissful moment. I turned myself over and was lost in Him, knowing His presence with me and knowing His deep love. The world stopped and I existed in Him, longing to forever stay there, so this moment would never end."

"I touched you, God and in this embrace I knew your unending love. I saw Your Body as if it was transfigured and glowing in light and I was lost in Thee."

This is how it began. I would see a great reflective light, as if from a mirror, on the eaves of the church in the front of Holy Cross-Immaculata and His Body was changed in the most brilliant light before my eyes. I cannot describe what I saw, nor have I ever seen it except in this vision and two that would follow the next two days. Jesus was transfigured before my eyes.

When it first happened, was the same date January 9, 1994, when I genuflected before the crucifix and the altar at St. Gertrude's and the Father spoke; Blue Book II-page 18, January 9, 1994: "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."

 

                (7) Excerpt from December 12, 1998 Daily Message

R. Included here is an excerpt from the rosary received August 19, 1997. The next day Jesus appeared to me in the crucifix above the altar at St. Gertrudes church in Cincinnati. He appeared as the most glorious Jesus, adorned in the most brilliant light. Where He had appeared at the point of death December 5, 1996, He now appeared in the greatest brilliant light, as the glorified Jesus on the cross.

   

                (8) Excerpt from the rosary of August 19, 1997

Jesus:  Come away with Me, My young ones. Come into the field and taste of the beauty of the air and the beauty of this day with the most beautiful flowers that I have created for you. Do you see the beauty in each petal of the flower, or are your eyes covered with mud that you do not see? I have lifted the veil for you today and I have showed you My way. My way is the way of trust and faith and I told you in the message on Sunday that you must have faith and endurance, for I took you to the darkest night to the pointiest tunnel, to the place where you thought that you would never return and at that point I opened up through a little hole the light of day and it came streaming in and you perceived and you felt My presence, which is greater than all the things of this earth.

    Wipe the grin off your face you silly earth, for you have ran after so many foolish things, when I stood there adorned in white before you, in the most glorious robes and you did not perceive that the Almighty God was alive and so I have called and I have told you and I have allowed you, My shepherds, to suffer, but the days ahead will be days of great victory, for I come to you clothed in white and adorned in a gold veil and you see that God lives and you will carry the white flag across this earth. You My shepherds, have won and the victory is yours. Did you fall in the mud and did you skin your knees, did you feel your head ache as Mine ached in the garden, did you feel the thorns poke deeply into your skull, and did you feel the ripping of your flesh as the sword went into your skin? I am Jesus, I am God, I will not be undone. I am Almighty and all powerful to the ends of the earth. You will know My might and you will not be afraid, but you will not know this if you do not trust, for I have told you the secrets in My messages, but you do not read as if you believe, you read half heartedly. You must believe with all your heart that I speak to you to be heard, for you truly are the shepherds that will go across this earth and carry the white flag, but you do not have this conviction within your heart, so therefore you do not do all that I have asked you to do, your belief is wishy washy and you do not believe with a conviction of a strong heart. I am calling you My shepherds this night to renew your faith and your endurance to realize that I am God and I have spoken here to you this evening. I am alive, I am alive, I am alive and I am with you, I am your God.

    You wanted the light all the time and the light was not in the plan of the Father. It comes in light and it comes in darkness, it comes in death and it comes in victory, it comes in death and it comes in Resurrection, it comes in pain, and it comes in joy, but this world tells you today to look for only the joy and when you do not find it to do everything that you can to fill your selfish pleasurish whims that you have within you. I tell you that you must fall to your knees, that your knees will be scuffed and that you will suffer and your flesh will be tom and your head will be crowned with thorns, but you will come forth from the tomb with a veil of white across your face and you will say this is the victory that we have won because we have lived in Him.

    Your movement will spread forth to the far ends of the earth, but it is faith that I am calling you to My beloved ones, you must have faith in your hearts, for this is a sign that I give to you this day. If you do not believe, you will not be able to continue ahead, for you must move ahead in faith. It is the only way that you must operate. You cannot operate trying to logically think your way across this world. It is only in believing and obeying the messages that the job will get done. It is My might that will lead this Movement to the far comers of the earth. Open your pockets and let us see your money. Do you have the money to do the things that I have asked you to do? It is in prayer, hourly prayer and begging for the funds, realizing that it is in your prayer, that it is in your endurance, that it is in your faith and your sacrifices that your prayers will be answered. You must pray hourly the Novena to the Infant of Prague and I will answer your prayers, and you My beloved ones will know the results when you pray.

    I have given to you the greatest gift this day. I am Jesus, and I have come to you and I have asked you to open wide your heart and to thank Me for the gift I have given, for if the answer would have been different how would your hearts be this night, and how was it with the lepers, when I gave to them the great gift and they did not come and say thanks, but you are My holy ones that I am sending into this world and your hearts must be filled with joy. I have asked you over and over again to sing to Me with a heart that is filled with joy. I have given to you songs that I wrote Myself for you to sing of the love of My Heart. I am Jesus, the Son of God and you are the apostles of this new era. As you go out into the dark night the light will shine behind you and many will know the light of My Heart. Do not be discouraged, for the very hairs of your head are numbered and I am with you at this very moment, guarding and watching you, give Me your heart My shepherds. I have given to you a great gift this day, give Me your thanks and continue to pray. It is through prayer that you will accomplish all that the Father intends you to accomplish. I am Jesus, the Son of God. I have chosen you, I have called you and you will accomplish the work that the Father intends you to through prayer. Do not be discouraged, but encouraged for I am God and I am with you. Think of how it was before, when you did not share your love with so many others, but I have given you each other and I have bound your hearts in one heart and you come here because your hearts are filled with great joy. The more you love and the more the Movement spreads, the more will be the blessings, for as the love expounds and gets larger, the love is more full, for your love is rooted in Me and the more you love deeply the more full the love you will have. This is how it will be, one body in Me, and you will love many and you will know them deeply in your heart and your heart is full My shepherds, because I have taught you My ways of love and given you each other. You are My holy family and I love you. I have called you and so you say "why me?", and I say to you "why this Saint, or that Saint or why the Blessed Mother, why were you called?". You were called because I love you and I have given to you a great grace to be My shepherd in the Shepherds of Christ Movement.

end of excerpt

 

                (9) Focusing on the Word - Cycle B Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson

2nd Sunday of Lent - March 12, 2006

INTRODUCTION – (Genesis 22, 1-2. 9a. 10-13. 15-18; Romans 8, 31b-34; Mark 9, 2-10) Our stained glass window here in the sanctuary is an illustration of the story in our first reading of Abraham ready to sacrifice his son. Recall how God had made many promises to Abraham, promises that Abraham had to wait many years to see fulfilled. Among those promises was that he would be the father of a great nation. However, it wasn’t until he and his wife Sarah were very old that his son Isaac was born. Several years after Isaac’s birth, Abraham sensed God calling on him to offer up his son as a human sacrifice. Human sacrifice was not unusual at that time. Abraham loved Isaac. Just as an aside, this is the first time the word "love" appears in the bible. Besides his love for his son, Isaac was the fulfillment of all the hopes and promises God had made with Abraham. What could Abraham have thought? Did he displease God and God was canceling his promises? How could he kill his own son? But how could he disobey this God who had never let him down? I might point out a couple of interesting facts. Mt. Moriah is believed to be in Jerusalem, the very spot where King Solomon would build the Temple some 800 years later. As you know the Temple had a history of being destroyed and rebuilt a few times. The beautiful mosque called the Dome of the Rock now stands on that spot. It was built by followers of Mohammed in 690 B.C. It’s the golden dome you often see when you look at a picture of Jerusalem. It is an issue over which the Jews and the Moslems are fighting today. The more conservative Jews want to tear it down and build a new temple in its place. The Moslems are determined not to let that happen.

 

                (10) Focusing on the Word - Cycle B Homilies - by Fr. Joe Robinson - 2nd Sunday of Lent - March 12, 2006

HOMILY – Two mountains dominate our readings today: Mt. Moriah, the place where Abraham’s faith was tested and another mountain, which was most likely Mt. Tabor, where Jesus was transfigured. I think these two mountains symbolize the ups and downs of every life. We have those times when our faith is tested, moments when we think God is demanding too much of us, moments when it seems God is asking us to give up all the blessings he had previously given us. And we have high moments, moments when God seems so close, when his presence fills us with wonder and awe, moments of blessing that we do not want to see come to an end. Often we have no control over where God might put us at different times in our lives: whether we find ourselves on Mt. Moriah facing great trials, or we find ourselves on Mt. Tabor in a state of ecstasy. But for most of us, most of the time we’re somewhere in between, plugging along every day. Difficult times often seem to last forever but they seldom do. Abraham’s time of trial ended when God said "hold off, you don’t have to sacrifice your son. I just want to know you were willing to obey me." Sometimes that’s all God wants from us is for us to say "Thy will be done." And the joyful moments in our lives end all too quickly. The apostles wanted to stay on Mt. Tabor forever but our Lord said it was time to go back down. There was a lot of work and very hard times ahead of him.

Not mentioned is a third very important mountain. It is foreshadowed in the story of Abraham and Isaac. God did not demand the human sacrifice of Isaac, but God’s only son was to remain faithful to his mission even at the cost of his life on the hill of Calvary. Calvary also casts its shadow over the glory of Mt. Tabor. St. Mark makes an obvious connection between Jesus’ passion and death and his transfiguration on Mt. Tabor. Mark tells us specifically the transfiguration took place six days after Jesus’ first prediction of his passion and death. And Mark ends his narration of the transfiguration with Jesus telling Peter, James and John not to tell anyone of the vision until he had risen from the dead. The obvious linking of Jesus’ death and resurrection with the transfiguration tells us that while Calvary reminds us of Jesus’ suffering and his cross, it is also his hour of glory that brings us salvation, hope and peace.

The transfiguration was not only a revelation of the divinity hidden in Jesus but it was also a preview of his future glorification in the resurrection. It is also a preview of the glory God the Father wants us to share with his Son. The transfiguration is the fourth of the new mysteries of light for the rosary. As I was meditating on this mystery the other day I wondered how often the apostles experienced Jesus’ glory like this? Only once and it was only three of them. They had to simply go on faith the rest of the time, seeing only the human side of Jesus who ate and slept and grew tired and was sometimes sad or angry just like them. Those special moments when we experience God’s special closeness, when Jesus’ presence is tangible to us, when our lives are touched by glory are few and far between. Most of the time we have to simply go on faith. But it is a faith that will lead to future glory. St. Paul asks us in today’s second reading: "is it possible that he who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for the sake of us all will not grant us all things besides?" 

end of homily 

 

 

                The Institution of the Eucharist

                (1) From Blue Book II

Picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus I Love You

 April 13, 1994

 Words of Jesus. Read before the Tabernacle.

Jesus:  How, child, do I, Jesus, tell you I love you? You hold on to silly things when God is in your midst and is ardently loving you. I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am writing to each precious child this day. I am on fire for love of you. I remain in the Eucharist to be with you with My ardent love. I did not want to leave My beloved ones at the Last Supper. I love you so, My dear and ardently loved children. I remain with you this day in the Blessed Sacrament, the same Jesus Who died a brutal death on the Cross.

    Do you know I am truly present there? Do you know that God waits every day for you in the tabernacle? Do you comprehend even a minute amount of My love? You will never know of how I love you on earth.

    I, Jesus, truly the Son of God, came to earth a man and suffered a brutal death for love of you. I love you so much! I remain with you this day. I long for your love. I want you to come and be with Me in front of the tabernacle. I wait, I yearn for you to come and whisper your love to Me. I am a person and I love you this day, with such an ardent on-fire love! No human could ever compare a speck to My love for you.

    I wait, little ones, in the tabernacle. I wait for you to come and receive Me in Communion. I want you to want Me so much you cannot wait to come and receive Me. I want to be the love, the center of your life!

    I am Jesus. I am the Son of God. I am writing to you this day. I want to possess your very soul and live in you. I have all you need, sweet ones. Oh, you are so blind! I long for your union with Me. I wrote the book of love. I instituted it, yet you go to the world for your love and do not even come to Me! Oh, I love you, little ones. Little ones, beloved of the Father, loved by the Holy Spirit, mothered by My very own mother! What more can I say? The rest is up to you!

    I give you your will with such love and I want your love freely given. I am God. What do you think you could ever need that I do not give you? I am the Savior of this world. I am Jesus, the Son of God. I am waiting for you. I am longing for you. I am yearning for you. I am God. I have all you ever will need!

    Surrender this life to Me. Pray My Prayer for Union with Me. I want to possess your soul and operate from your very being. I am Jesus. I am the Son of God. I am the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I am Who am. I died and rose on the third day.

    Harken to My call, harken to My pleading. Spend your days in love with Me. Nothing matters unless it is rooted in Me and rooted in My love. I am the Son of God. I am the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I love you with the tenderest love. I am waiting this day for just you, My beloved one. Come to Me for I am the tenderest of all hearts. I am the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

- God's Blue Book, Volume 2 April 13, 1994

 

                (2) Luke 22: 14-20

When the time came he took his place at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, ‘I have ardently longed to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; because, I tell you, I shall not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ Then, taking a cup, he gave thanks and said, ‘Take this and share it among you, because from now on, I tell you, I shall never again drink wine until the kingdom of God comes.’

Then he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ He did the same with the cup after supper, and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood poured out for you.
 

                (3) Sing: Take and Eat

                (4) Sing: I Love You Jesus

                (5)

A Prayer before the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

    Let me be a holy sacrifice and unite with God in the sacrament of His greatest love.

    I want to be one in Him in this act of love, where He gives Himself to me and I give myself as a sacrifice to Him. Let me be a holy sacrifice as I become one with Him in this my act of greatest love to Him.

    Let me unite with Him more, that I may more deeply love Him. May I help make reparation to His adorable Heart and the heart of His Mother, Mary. With greatest love, I offer myself to You and pray that You will accept my sacrifice of greatest love. I give myself to You and unite in Your gift of Yourself to me. Come and possess my soul.

    Cleanse me, strengthen me, heal me. Dear Holy Spirit act in the heart of Mary to make me more and more like Jesus.

    Father, I offer this my sacrifice, myself united to Jesus in the Holy Spirit to You. Help me to love God more deeply in this act of my greatest love.

    Give me the grace to grow in my knowledge, love and service of You and for this to be my greatest participation in the Mass. Give me the greatest graces to love You so deeply in this Mass, You who are so worthy of my love.

-God's Blue Book, December 27, 1995

 

                (6) From Blue Book IV - September 23, 1994 - Live Your Life for Me (excerpt)

Jesus: I come that you might have life and have it to the full. What matters child? I am with you at this moment and your heart is thinking about other things. Come to Me and release yourself to My presence. I am God and I am totally with you this day. You wonder, you search, you become very lost and before you, is He Who knows the way. I know all things, not some, - all! Come to Me and release yourself into My loving arms. I am He Who sustains you.

 

                (7) Sing: A Priest is a Gift from God

                (8)

July 31, 1994

Words of Jesus to Members of
Shepherds of Christ Associates:

"My beloved priest-companion, I intend to use the priestly newsletter, Shepherds of Christ, and the movement, Shepherds of Christ Associates, in a powerful way for the renewal of My Church and the world.

"I will use the newsletter and the chapters of Shepherds of Christ Associates as a powerful instrument for spreading devotion to My Heart and My Mother's Heart.

"I am calling many to become members of Shepherds of Christ Associates. To all of them I will give great blessings. I will use them as instruments to help bring about the triumph of the Immaculate Heart and the reign of My Sacred Heart. I will give great graces to the members of Shepherds of Christ Associates. I will call them to be deeply united to My Heart and to Mary's Heart as I lead them ever closer to My Father in the Holy Spirit."

- Message from Jesus to Father Edward J. Carter, S.J., Founder, as given on July 31, 1994,
feast of Saint Ignatius Loyola, Founder of the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits)

 

                (9)

Fr. Carter had a dream.

 

Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus

My dear fellow Associate Members,

Jesus is calling special apostles to join a new division of the Shepherds of Christ Movement. Here is a message from Jesus given to Father Carter:

    My beloved priest-companion, I am requesting that a new prayer movement be started under the direction of Shepherds of Christ Ministries. I am asking for volunteers who are willing to pray before the Blessed Sacrament for one hour, twice-weekly. Members of the Shepherds of Christ prayer chapters, as well as others, are to be invited to join this movement.

    These apostles are to pray for the intentions I am giving you. For part of the hour they are to use the prayers of the Shepherds of Christ Associates Handbook. They may spend the rest of the hour as they so choose.

    I will use this new prayer movement within My Shepherds of Christ Ministries in a powerful way to help in the renewal of My Church and the world. I will give great graces to those who join this movement. The name, Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, is to be given to this movement.

    I am inviting My beloved Rita Ring to be coordinator for this activity.

    I pour out the great love of My Sacred Heart to all. I am Jesus, Chief Shepherd of the flock.

    This is indeed a special calling for us to unite in one heart with His Eucharistic Heart and pray for the following intentions:

    1. For the spread of the devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary culminating in the reign of the Sacred Heart and the triumph of the Immaculate Heart.
    2. For the Pope.
    3. For all bishops of the world.
    4. For all priests.
    5. For all sisters and brothers in the religious life.
    6. For all members of the Shepherds of Christ Movement, and for the spread of this movement to the world.
    7. For all members of the Catholic Church.
    8. For all members of the human family.
    9. For all souls in purgatory.

end of excerpt
 

                (10) Song: A Song from Jesus

                    Song: Your Presence Pervades My Soul

 

                July 31, 2011

                R. 6 centuries before Christ the
                    Jews were taken into
                    Captivity in Babylon —

                    Then the Babylonians were
                    conquered by the Persian
                    army —

                Long ago King Saul was told by Samuel
                    the prophet to put the Amalekites
                    under a ban of destruction —
                    that was 500 years before Esther

                Saul was told to fight against them
                    until they were exterminated —
                    but he disobeyed and did not
                    kill the King and someone pregnant
                    That person fled in vengeance with
                        an heir within her womb to avenge
                        the slaughter of the Amalekites

                Haman is said to be the son of an
                    Agagite

   

                Excerpt from March 30, 2010

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8, 11

There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven: 

A time for giving birth, 
a time for dying; 
a time for planting, 
a time for uprooting what has been planted. 
A time for killing, 
a time for healing; 
a time for knocking down, 
a time for building. 
A time for tears, 
a time for laughter; 
a time for mourning, 
a time for dancing. 
A time for throwing stones away, 
a time for gathering them; 
a time for embracing, 
a time to refrain from embracing. 
A time for searching, 
a time for losing; 
a time for keeping, 
a time for discarding. 
A time for tearing, 
a time for sewing; 
a time for keeping silent, 
a time for speaking. 
A time for loving, 
a time for hating; 
a time for war, 
a time for peace. 

  All that he does is apt for its time; but although he has given us an awareness of the passage of time,
we can grasp neither the beginning nor the end of what God does.

  

                    "This is the Feast of Victory"

                    Esther heard the King was to be
                        poisoned by unfaithful servants
                        Mordechi warned the King —
                        the men, who planned to poison the King,
                            were dealt with

                Jesus is the King of heaven and earth —
                    why do we want to poison
                    people and men's minds with
                    untruths and evil against,
                    the King - who is the real King —

                God gives us His commandments —
                    Working down here against
                        His Kingdom is a foolish
                        thing to do

                God is Almighty
                God has the Plan

                Working against Him — spreading poison
                    on His Plan is foolish

                God knows all things —

                How have some men poisoned children's
                    minds against Mary and Jesus —
                    as if God doesn't know what
                    they are doing —

                Fr. Mike told me, how those listening
                    to satan can spread poison and
                    he said do it every day and
                    a person trying to do what
                    God wants to build His Kingdom —
                    cannot even clear out the poison
                    and more is spread by one intentionally
                    doing evil for vain glory and power —

                    like a house of cards — when they
                        are going down — a person
                        spreading poison is knocking
                        them down — faster, than you
                        can repair the last break

                I saw the corner fell off the old seminary and
                    Fr. Mike was warned — I didn't
                    know him going to his old room

                Our lives affect others

                Our hearts, our prayers united so deeply
                    to God can help the world to be
                    on fire with love

                God is Almighty — God wants us one in Him —
                    Jesus knows our sins — He was
                    rejected at birth — He was crowned
                    not with a gold crown of glory, but
                    a crown of thorns — He shed His
                    innocent blood —
                    He wore a crown of blood —

                    He feeds us with His Word
                    He feeds us with His Body and Blood

                Jesus says: I am the bread of life

end of excerpt

    

                Given July 31, 2011

                Haman hated Mordecai

                Haman wanted to wipe out the
                    Jews in revenge —

                Haman, enemy of the Jews
                    was punished —

                Mordecai was put in charge of the
                    house of Haman

 

                Esther

$15.00 plus shipping
1-888-211-3041

 

                From March 17, 2011

                R. Esther was living in Persia —

                The King decided to get another
                    Queen —
                    He searched for the most beautiful
                        lady — married Esther —
                    Haman wanted to kill the Jews —

                Esther fasted and prayed and -
                    she went to the King and asked
                    him to protect the Jewish
                    people —

                Esther prayed  to God —

                Today's Readings

 

Esther C, 12, 14-16, 23-25

My Lord, our King, the Only One,
come to my help, for I am alone
and have no helper but you
and am about to take my life in my hands.

I have been taught from infancy
in the bosom of my family
that you, Lord, have chosen
Israel out of all the nations
and our ancestors out of all before them,
to be your heritage for ever;
and that you have treated them
    as you promised.

Remember, Lord; reveal yourself
in the time of our distress.

As for me, give me courage,
King of gods and Master of all powers!
Put persuasive words into my mouth
when I face the lion;
change his feeling into hatred for our enemy,
so that he may meet his end,
and all those like him!

As for ourselves, save us by your hand,
and come to my help, for I am alone
and have no one but you, Lord.

 

Psalm 138: 1-3, 7-8

I thank you, Yahweh, with all my heart,
for you have listened to the cry I uttered.
In the presence of angels I sing to you,
I bow down before your holy Temple.

I praise your name for your faithful love and your constancy;
your promises surpass even your fame.
You heard me on the day when I called,
and you gave new strength to my heart.

Though I live surrounded by trouble
you give me life — to my enemies' fury!
You stretch out your right hand and save me,
Yahweh will do all things for me.
Yahweh, your faithful love endures for ever,
do not abandon what you have made.      

   

Matthew 7: 7-12

‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. Everyone who asks receives; everyone who searches finds; everyone who knocks will have the door opened. Is there anyone among you who would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or would hand him a snake when he asked for a fish? If you, then, evil as you are, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! 'So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the Law and the Prophets.

    

Esther 4: 2-4, 8-10

Then calling to mind all the wonderful works of the Lord, he offered this prayer: 

    Lord, Lord, Almighty King, 
    everything is subject to your power, 
    and there is no one who can withstand you 
    in your determination to save Israel. 

    You have made heaven and earth, 
    and all the marvels that are under heaven. 
    You are the Master of the universe 
    and no one can resist you, Lord.

    And now, Lord God, 
    King, God of Abraham 
    spare your people! 
    For our ruin is being plotted, 
    there are plans to destroy 
        your ancient heritage. 
    Do not overlook your inheritance, 
    which you redeemed from Egypt to be yours. 
    Hear my supplication, 
    have mercy on your heritage, 
    and turn our grief into rejoicing, 
    so that we may live, Lord, 
    to hymn your name. 
    Do not suffer the mouths 
    of those who praise you to perish.

  end of excerpt

 

From October 1, 2003

Messenger:        We are helping to build God's Kingdom.
                            We want to be bridge builders.
                            We must act lovingly.
                            We must utilize what we have to
                                work with.

Jesus speaks:    Oh My People, build up My city.
                                You are My chosen ones, I have
                                sent you to the far ends of
                                the earth to help build up
                                My Kingdom.

                            I am God.
                            Open your hearts.
                            I love you, I want to dwell in
                                your hearts.

Messenger:        The priest said we can't look back. We must
                                look ahead.

                                Two runners were running a race
                                    the one was leading and looked
                                    back, when he looked back the
                                    other runner got ahead.

                                We live to follow Jesus, to be one in
                                    Him. We shouldn't look back
                                    just keep our focus straight ahead
                                    on God.

                            In parishes and families we can become
                                so involved with the business of
                                life, the work of the parish, we
                                do not take time for our own
                                personal relationship with God.

                            God is the power.
                            God is the almighty.
                            We receive our help in Him.

Jesus speaks:     A young man would not let go because of
                                past deeds. He wondered why he didn't
                                have that closeness to God.

                            I tell you to be holy, you must want purity.
                                you cannot lie, or cheat, or do things
                                for prideful reasons, you must want
                                to do all things humbly for the honor
                                and glory of God.

                            I have taught you how to pray —
                                say

                                Our Father . . .

                            Pray to the Father with all your heart.

                            Satan is a roaring lion, looking for one
                                to devour.

                            Satan wants you to strive to be the leader
                                for your own honor and glory, to
                                be out for #1 (yourself)

                            I call you to walk humbly as servants
                                of the Lord.

                            Two men were put over different cities.
                                One wanted to be victorious, but
                                    in his thoughts he dreamed of
                                    his own recognition and glory
                                    because of the accomplishments,
                                    he saw every hardship he endured
                                    in the light of making him look
                                    good and victorious.

                                Another was placed over the second city.
                                    He lived to promote My Kingdom.
                                    He walked humbly.
                                    He lived to serve God.
                                    His whole purpose was for the
                                        honor and glory of God.

                                Today so many are focused on themselves,
                                    The world teaches men to strive to get
                                        ahead for their own vain glory.

                                In acting this way, it is easy for those
                                    to "step" on their brothers in the race
                                    to get ahead.

                                Oh people of the earth, what have you
                                    accomplished if you have not built
                                    the bridge, it is in love you will
                                    build the kingdom — one who
                                    does matters for their own vain glory,
                                    burns, bridge after bridge after
                                    bridge and soon they are on an
                                    isolated island.

                                I have given you messages to help build
                                    My Kingdom, satan has tried to
                                    block My messages to move ahead —
                                    how much you have been helped
                                    through My Movement and My
                                    Blue Book Messages, then some
                                    themselves become competitive
                                    with the hand I feed you.

                                My little men, be like little children, God
                                    is your Father, Mary your Mother, some
                                    human men will not give My Mother her
                                    rightful place because of their pride.

                                My Mother appears to the children of the earth.
                                    Some have come beneath her image with
                                        heavy hearts, hurts of anger and pain,
                                        let go to Me, come with a gentle
                                        heart, one of love, pleading your
                                        case, for love is everlasting, love,
                                        all is love.

                                    Love is not selfish and self seeking —
                                        Love is from the humble heart —
                                        one who seeks to build the Kingdom
                                            of God.
                                        I am love.

                                    You will be asked to work with others
                                        you may not desire to work with —
                                        human creatures are imperfect —
                                        to try to prove otherwise —
                                        is folly —
                                        oh My little imperfect ones —

                                    many in their pride, seek the high seats
                                        when their reward will be found
                                        in seeking the seat provided by
                                        the Lord.

                                    Would you seek the place of pope for
                                        yourself or for the good of humanity?

                                    It is the desire of the heart that can free
                                        you or keep you stuck —

                                    It is the purity of your intentions —

                                    Do you act for the honor and glory of God —
                                    Do you give into the devil to stir things
                                        up when a peaceful approach
                                        to build the bridge would be
                                        in order?

                                You will suffer if you follow Me —
                                You will suffer anguish in the heart —
                                    pain for those who do not come
                                    willingly to serve —

                                But you will find peace in love
                                    and solace in prayer —
                                    Today I tell you to build the
                                        bridge —

                                    Today I tell you to walk the mile
                                        in love, acting for the honor
                                        and glory of God, not for
                                        your own personal glory.

                                    A man went to a river and he wanted
                                        to cross the other side.
                                        The desire swelled up in his 
                                            heart.

                                        He gathered his friends, he asked
                                            for help.

                                    They worked together all in love to get
                                        to the other side.

                                    Another man came and he whipped
                                        his friends in anger and they
                                        all ran away to another town.
                                        The man sat on the river bank
                                        and cried for he could not lay
                                        one timber to get himself across
                                        to the other side.

                                        "Oh", sobbed he, "I am lowly and
                                        want to cross" at once a voice
                                        was heard from afar —
                                        "The workers came, they wanted
                                        to help you and you angrily
                                        chided them and literally whipped
                                        some with your nasty words
                                        and violent speech, you are a
                                        foolish breed for you do not see
                                        that the seeds you sow, so shall you
                                        reap."

                                    The man never moved from that side of
                                        the river for he acted like a
                                        porcupine whenever someone
                                        approached he stuck them with
                                        his sticks.

                                Oh gentle is the heart of Mary
                                And sweet are My ways.
                                When I turned the tables in the
                                    temple I acted in love.

                                Now the angry man is filled with
                                    erupting materials in his heart,
                                    like a black volcano full of
                                    lava it comes forth and pours
                                    on others.

                                Purity in the heart is like a gentle
                                    stream of water that flows
                                    to the tune of peace and love.
                                    Hearts come in all kinds of packages,
                                    some are so full of debris and some are
                                    pure and full of gentle love.

                                Satan works in the hearts, he wants
                                    hearts to be full of impurities. He
                                    wants the world feeding
                                    the children with darkness.
                                    He wants you to be tempted with
                                    luring, sexual reminders so you
                                    will give in and fall.

                                Satan is real.
                                Satan works on the mind.
                                Satan works on the emotions, the
                                    memories.

                                A little child may want something, but
                                    they soon forget and are off at play
                                    when distracted away from their desire.

                                Satan can make a deep ridge in the mind,
                                    a rut, one gets focused on playing
                                    out a certain cruelty, a certain
                                    detail and they can be consumed
                                    by this, almost blinded to other
                                    thoughts and engulfed by a dark
                                    cloud that grips the heart —
                                    and I use the word "grip", satan
                                    works this way — he comes, tempting,
                                    trying to "grip" the soul and get
                                    them to give into his hard embrace.

                                You do not have to give into him, no
                                    matter how strong the temptation,
                                    how gripping it seems for you
                                    to have to yell and act in anger,
                                    or viciousness in some deed done
                                    to another to get even, to raise
                                    yourself up and put someone else
                                    down at your hand of power.

                                Satan wants you to act against God's
                                    will.

                                Satan wants you to not choose love.
                                Satan wants souls for hell.
                                Satan wants you to go to hell.
                                Satan wants you to fight with others.
                                Satan wants you to be isolated.
                                Satan wants you to not be united to
                                    build the bridge.

 

                            I am love.
                            I am one with My beloved souls.
                            I love them.
                            I died for them.
                            I want My Church to work in unity.
                            I want My families to work in unity.

                            (Satan has attacked the Church, the family
                                and the schools, trying to divide them.)

                            I am the way, the truth and the life.
                            I am the carpenter.
                            I make the cabinet with the most
                                beautiful precision.

end of excerpt

 

Romans 8: 18-30  

In my estimation, all that we suffer in the present time is nothing in comparison with the glory which is destined to be disclosed for us, for the whole creation is waiting with eagerness for the children of God to be revealed. It was not for its own purposes that creation had frustration imposed on it, but for the purposes of him who imposed it—with the intention that the whole creation itself might be freed from its slavery to corruption and brought into the same glorious freedom as the children of God. We are well aware that the whole creation, until this time, has been groaning in labour pains. And not only that: we too, who have the first–fruits of the Spirit, even we are groaning inside ourselves, waiting with eagerness for our bodies to be set free. In hope, we already have salvation; in hope, not visibly present, or we should not be hoping—nobody goes on hoping for something which is already visible. But having this hope for what we cannot yet see, we are able to wait for it with persevering confidence. 

    And as well as this, the Spirit too comes to help us in our weakness, for, when we do not know how to pray properly, then the Spirit personally makes our petitions for us in groans that cannot be put into words; and he who can see into all hearts knows what the Spirit means because the prayers that the Spirit makes for God’s holy people are always in accordance with the mind of God.

We are well aware that God works with those who love him, those who have been called in accordance with his purpose, and turns everything to their good. He decided beforehand who were the ones destined to be moulded to the pattern of his Son, so that he should be the eldest of many brothers; it was those so destined that he called; those that he called, he justified, and those that he has justified he has brought into glory.

 

 

March 5, 2003

  

September 5, 2003

 

      

Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus 

(For public or private use.)

Lord, have mercy on us.
   Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. 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.

Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father, save us.
Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God, save us.
Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament, save us.
Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the Agony, save us.
Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging, save us.
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns, save us.
Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross, save us.
Blood of Christ, Price of our salvation, save us.
Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness, save us.
Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls, save us.
Blood of Christ, river of mercy, save us.
Blood of Christ, Victor over demons, save us.
Blood of Christ, Courage of martyrs, save us.
Blood of Christ, Strength of confessors, save us.
Blood of Christ, bringing forth virgins, save us.
Blood of Christ, Help of those in peril, save us.
Blood of Christ, Relief of the burdened, save us.
Blood of Christ, Solace in sorrow, save us.
Blood of Christ, Hope of the penitent, save us.
Blood of Christ, Consolation of the dying, save us.
Blood of Christ, Peace and Tenderness of hearts, save us.
Blood of Christ, Pledge of Eternal Life, save us.
Blood of Christ, freeing souls from Purgatory, save us.
Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor, save us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
    Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
    Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
    Have mercy on us, O Lord.

V.  Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood,
R.  And made of us a kingdom for our God.

Let Us Pray

   Almighty and Eternal God, Thou hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world, and willed to be appeased by His Blood. Grant, we beseech Thee, that we may worthily adore this Price of our salvation, and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of this present life, so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in Heaven. Through the same Christ Our Lord. R.  Amen. 

    

Esther 4: 17a-i

Mordecai’s prayer

Then calling to mind all the wonderful works of the Lord, he offered this prayer: 

    Lord, Lord, Almighty King, 
    everything is subject to your power, 
    and there is no one who can withstand you 
    in your determination to save Israel. 

    You have made heaven and earth, 
    and all the marvels that are under heaven. 
    You are the Master of the universe 
    and no one can resist you, Lord.   

     You know all things,
     you, Lord, know
     that neither pride, self–esteem nor vainglory
     prompted me to do what I have done:
     to refuse to prostrate myself
     before proud Haman.
     Gladly would I have kissed
        the soles of his feet,
     had this assured the safety of Israel.

     But what I have done, I have done,
     rather than place the glory of a man
     above the glory of God;
     and I shall not prostrate myself to anyone
     except, Lord, to you,
     and, in so doing,
         I shall not be acting in pride.

    And now, Lord God, 
    King, God of Abraham 
    spare your people! 
    For our ruin is being plotted, 
    there are plans to destroy 
        your ancient heritage. 
    Do not overlook your inheritance, 
    which you redeemed from Egypt to be yours. 
    Hear my supplication, 
    have mercy on your heritage, 
    and turn our grief into rejoicing, 
    so that we may live, Lord, 
    to hymn your name. 
    Do not suffer the mouths 
    of those who praise you to perish.

    And all Israel cried out with all their might,
since death was staring them in the face.

 

Esther 10: 6-10

Epilogue

The single nation, mine, is Israel, those who cried out to God and were saved. Yes, the Lord has saved his people, the Lord has delivered us from all these evils, God has worked such signs and great wonders as have never occurred among the nations.

    Two destinies he appointed, one for his own people, one for the nations at large. And these two destinies were worked out at the hour and time and day laid down by God, involving all the nations. In this way God has remembered his people and vindicated his heritage; and for them these days, the fourteenth and fifteenth of the month of Adar, are to be days of assembly, of joy and of gladness before God, through all generations and for ever among his people Israel.'

   

 

 

Book Store

Rita Ring

Books written by the cofounder of Shepherds of Christ Ministries
Mass Book
A Journey Into the Heart of Jesus - Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimatur
$ 12.00 plus postage

  Mass Book, by Rita Ring: Many of the entries in the Priestly Newsletter Volume II from a spiritual journal came from this book. These entries
  are to help people to be more deeply united to God in the Mass. This book is available in English and Spanish with the Church’s Imprimatur.
  $12
Rosary Meditations for Parents and Children
From the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimatur
$ 10.00  plus postage

  Rosary Meditations for Parents and Children, by Rita Ring, Short Meditations for both parents and children to be used when praying the
  rosary. These meditations will help all to know the lives of Jesus and Mary alive in their Hearts. Available in both English and Spanish with
  the Church’s Imprimatur. $10
God's Blue Book I
Teachings to Lift You Up. Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J.
$ 10.00  plus postage

God's Blue Book I by Rita Ring. Open Anywhere — This book will change your life. These are beautiful love letters to us from Jesus. A million books have been printed and circulated. Jesus loves us so much — He wants a personal relationship with us — He wants us to go to the Eucharist and be with Him before the tabernacle. $10
God's Blue Book II
The Fire of His Love. Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by Fr. Edward J. Carter S. J.
$ 10.00  plus postage

God's Blue Book II by Rita Ring. Letters from Jesus about His on fire love — Jesus wants this great intimacy with us — On fire love — Personal love letters from Jesus about the love of His Heart — A book on surrender Fr. Carter said! $10
God's Blue Book III
Love God, Love One Another. Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J.
$ 10.00  plus postage

God's Blue Book III by Rita Ring. Fr. Carter's favorite book — It is about loving and forgiving each other — Being pure in heart — A book for unity in family, community, in life!! $10
God's Blue Book 4
The Love of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Author: Rita Ring
$ 5.00  plus postage

God's Blue Book IV by Rita Ring. This book is about the love Jesus has for Mary and Mary has for Jesus and Jesus and Mary have for us — It is truly the Love of the Two Hearts. Mary appeared every day at the Holy Spirit Center — Fr. Carter was there. Mary's first apparition July 5, 1994. $5
God's Blue Book 5
So Deep Is the Love of His Heart. Author: Rita Ring.
$ 5.00  plus postage

God's Blue Book V by Rita Ring. Jesus wants to be the bridegroom of our soul — He is our beloved — Jesus tells us about pure love — how we are to be pure of heart and love God and love others. It is a must, to hear about love from Jesus — Jesus is love — $5
God's Blue Book 6A
He Calls Us to Action Author: Rita Ring.
$ 10.00  plus postage

God's Blue Book 6A by Rita Ring. Rosaries from Their Hearts during apparitions. Jesus and Mary appeared every day and I received rosaries from Them and They were transcribed from a tape. Also messages of love from Jesus on days of January, 1995 — About Baptism — writings from Fr. Carter and the Scriptures. $10
God's Blue Book 6B
He Calls Us to Action Author: Rita Ring.
$ 10.00  plus postage

God's Blue Book 6B by Rita Ring. Jesus and Mary appeared every day in February, 1995 — So beautiful — transcribed from a tape — the Stations, 7 Sorrows, prayers in the Prayer Manual, the Holy Spirit Novena Book and the Song Book. Pure love — loving and forgiving — a book about Jesus' love, baptism, grace and Fr. Carter's Newsletter. $10

  
Rosaries From the Hearts of Jesus and Mary - Volume I
Red Rosary Book - Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J.
$ 10.00  plus postage

Rosaries from the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Book 1. Mary appeared in Clearwater December 17, 1996 in rainbow color and these rosaries left the printer the same day from Apparitions of Jesus and Mary — transcribed from a tape. $10
Blue Rosary Book
Rosaries From the Hearts of Jesus and Mary - Volume II
$ 12.00  plus postage

Rosaries from the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Book 2. This is a book of so many rosaries - transcribed from a tape. So many beautiful rosaries.   pages  $12
Short Rosary Meditations for the Ederly, Ill, and Homebound
From the Hearts of Jesus and Mary: Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimatur
This book is 8 1/2" by 11" and you can open it up and sit it on your lap.
$ 10.00  plus postage

Short Rosary Meditations for the Elderly, Ill and Homebound. This book is so important with pictures they can open it and lay it on their laps and pray the rosary. $10
  Messages From Jesus
  Given by Jesus to His Messenger Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J.
  This book is 8 1/2" by 11" and you can open it up and sit it on your lap.

  $ 10.00  plus postage
Messages for the Elderly, Ill and Homebound. This is a big book of loving messages for nursing home people and homebound from Jesus and Mary — Their lives are so important — united to the Mass offering up their suffering, their lives for the souls of this earth. $10
Daily Messages From Heaven 1
From the Florida Apparition Site Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J.
$ 10.00  plus postage

Daily Messages From Heaven Volumes 2 thru 5 (Spiral bound)
From the Florida Apparition Site Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J.
$25.00 each plus postage

Daily Messages from Heaven. First book of Daily Messages. $10
Rosary Meditations for Little People and Elderly
Short Meditations for the Rosary
$ 3.00  plus postage
Color the Lives of Jesus and Mary, Books 1 thru 5
A Coloring Book with Short Meditations on the 15 mysteries of the rosary. Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J.
$ 5.00 each plus postage

Color the Lives of Jesus and Mary. Volumes 1 through 7. Coloring books and meditations for grade school children and others on the mysteries of the rosary - really good. $5 each.
  Coloring the Lives of Jesus and Mary Books 6 and 7
  Mysteries of Light
  $ 5.00 each plus postage

  Color the Lives of Jesus and Mary. Volumes 6 through 7. Coloring books and meditations for grade school children and others on the mysteries of the rosary - really good. $5 each.

 
  God's Blue Book I on CD, Disk #1
  God's Blue Book I, Disk #1 Read by author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J.
  $ 10.00 plus postage

 
  Mysteries of Light Rosary Book
  Rosaries From the Hearts of Jesus and Mary - Volume I
  $ 5.00  plus postage 

 
  Mysteries of Light Rosary Book
  Rosaries From the Hearts of Jesus and Mary - Volume II
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  Apostle's Manual
  Shepherds of Christ Overview: Very carefully discerned by Fr. Edward J. Carter S. J.
  $ 20.00  

 Apostles Manual. About the Movement - the structure of the Movement — All Ministries - from the time 3 months before Mary appeared in Clearwater and 3 months after. Rosaries of the 13ths, Fr. Carter's Newsletters. Messages from God the Father — Reaching the priests, the Church, the schools and the world. $20
 Songs From Jesus
  Given by Jesus to His Messenger Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J.
  $ 3.00  

Songs from Jesus Songbook. These loving songs were given from Jesus. So beautiful — Love Songs from Jesus of His love - helping us have pure and loving hearts. $3

 
   
Shepherds of Christ Holy Spirit Novena
  Holy Spirit Novena by: Rita Ring
  $ 1.00  plus postage

 Holy Spirit Novena Booklet. In four languages with the Imprimatur with 18 scripture readings for two complete novenas – this very powerful Holy Spirit Novena has prayers for prayers for Protection by the Blood of Jesus, Healing, Strength and Light, To Be One with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One with Jesus, To Dwell in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Prayer for the Holy Spirit and His Gifts, and the Word Alive in Our Hearts. All these prayers take about 10 minutes daily recited out loud. $1

 
  Shepherds of Christ Holy Spirit Novena CD
  Holy Spirit Novena Read by: Rita Ring
  $ 10.00  plus postage


   Holy Spirit Novena CD. Prayers and scripture readings from the Holy Spirit Novena Booklet read by Rita Ring. $10
  Colorea 1 thru 5
  las vidas de Jesús y María (recibido el Imprimátur)
  $ 5.00 each plus postage 

 
  Para Comprender Mejor La Santa Misa
  Una Jornada Hacia el Corazón de Jesús
  $ 10.00  

 
  Meditaciones del Rosario
  para Pequenos y Ancianos
  $ 10.00  

 
 

Fr. Joe Robinson

Inspiring Homilist & Author

Fr. Joseph Robinson has dedicated his life to serving Christ and the Church for over 40 years.
Guiding Light - Steadfast to the Son
Inspiring Homilies Covering Cycle A of the Liturgical Year
$ 10.00 plus postage

Guiding Light homily series - Steadfast to the Son - Cycle A — The sunflower is a great example of how we should be steadfastly guided by light. What a powerful thought that this exceptional plant is not stuck in one pose day in and day out, yet adaptable and magnetized to the sun. We feel the same about our Son. Our heads turns to face Christ as each day presents its challenges to find light. We join together like plants in a field and soak up the Son through the pulpit. We are a warm circle of strength using the wind of our breath to carry our priests' words, Christ's words, to new rich soil. $15

 
Guiding Light - Feed My Soul
Inspiring Homilies Covering Cycle C of the Liturgical Year
$ 10.00 plus postage

Guiding Light - Feed My Soul - Cycle C — In a world rapidly advancing and encouraging personal gain, we are faced with modern problems. There is a challenge to find time in our busy schedules for Sunday Mass or a family meal. We are able to research, shop, bank and even work without hearing one human voice. It is no wonder that we may often feel disconnected and famished at our week's end. In Fr. Joe's third book of homilies from Cycle C, we are reminded of the charity that Christ intended us to show each other. We have a calling to turn the other cheek and be the Good Samaritan to others. We are rewarded with the Father's kingdom and love when we are not worthy. We are not left alone or hungry. $15
Guiding Light - Focusing on the Word
Inspiring Homilies Covering Cycle B of the Liturgical Year
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Guiding Light - Focusing on the Word - Cycle B — At times we may feel that our path to Christ is a bit "out of focus". Like the disciples in the Book of Mark, this ordinary life clouds our vision of Christ's Divinity. We may doubt the practicality or possibility of applying His teachings and example to our modern life. Cycle B's homilies are a "guiding light" to help us realize Jesus' Messianic greatness and His promise of better things to come. $15
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Inspiring Homilies covering partial year of Cycle A by Fr. Joe Robinson
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Guiding Light - The Word Alive in Our Hearts. - Cycle A (partial) — Homilies by the Reverend Joe Robinson given at St. Boniface Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is a tremendous honor Fr. Joe has allowed us to share these great gifts with you – for greater holiness and knowing more and more about God. $10
Fr. Edward J. Carter
Books written by the founder of Shepherds of Christ Ministries

Response to God's Love
...God Himself is the Ultimate Mystery
$ 10.00  plus postage

Response to God’s Love by Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J. In this book Fr. Carter speaks of God as the ultimate mystery. We can meditate on the interior life of the Trinity. Fr. Carter tells us about our uniqueness in the Father's Plan for us, how the individual Christian, the Church and the world are in the state of becoming. Imprimatur. $10
Shepherds of Christ Spirituality Newsletters 1
Selected Writings on Spirituality—for All People Editor: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimatur
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Shepherds of Christ - Selected Writings on Spirituality for all People as Published in Shepherds of Christ Newsletter for Priests. Contains 12 issues of the newsletter from July/August 1994 to May/June 1996. $15
Shepherds of Christ Spirituality Newsletters 2
Selected Writings on Spirituality — for All People Editor: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimatur
$ 12.00  plus postage

Shepherds of Christ - Volume 2: by Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J. Contains issues 13-29 of the newsletter (September/October 1996 - Issue 5, 1999) $15
Shepherds of Christ Spirituality Newsletters 3
Selected Writings on Spirituality — for All People Editor: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J.
$ 10.00  plus postage

Shepherds of Christ - Volume 3 by Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J. Contains Newsletter Issues 1 through 4 of 2000 including Fr. Carter’s tremendous Overview of the Spiritual Life $10
Tell My People
Messages from Jesus and Mary Author: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimi Potest  
$ 10.00  plus postage

Tell My People. Messages from Jesus and Mary (As given to Fr. Edward Carter, S.J.) — One of Fr. Edward Carter, S.J.'s Synopsis of the Spiritual Life — From Jesus to Fr. Carter "On Holy Saturday, 1994, Jesus told me that on the following day, Easter, I would also begin to receive messages for others. Our Lord also told me that some of these were eventually to be published in a book—and here is that book." $10
Spirituality Handbook
Shepherds of Christ Associates Spirituality Handbook - A Way of Spiritual Life
Author: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimi Potest
$ 3.00  plus postage

Spirituality Handbook. Fr. Edward Carter, S.J. did 3 synopsis of the spiritual life. The Spirituality Handbook, the Priestly Newsletter 20he Tell My People book. The way of spiritual life proposed to the members of Shepherds of Christ Associates is centered in consecration to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. All aspects of the spiritual life discussed below should be viewed as means to help members develop their lives in consecration to Christ, the Sacred Heart, and to Mary, the Immaculate Heart. $3
The Spirituality of Fatima
Fatima: The Setting, The Message, The Spirituality of Consecration
$ 5.00  plus postage

The Spirituality of Fatima by Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J. The Fatima apparitions and messages received official Church approval in 1930. In giving her official approval to the Fatima event, the Church tells us that what took place at Fatima involving the three young visionaries is worthy of our belief. $5

  
  Shepherds of Christ Prayer Manual
  Shepherds of Christ Associates Prayers
  Author: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J.
  $ .50  plus postage

Shepherds of Christ Prayer Manual. The Shepherds of Christ has prayer chapters all over the world praying for the priests, the Church and the world. These prayers that Father Carter compiled in the summer of 1994 began this worldwide network of prayer. Currently the prayers are in eight languages with the Church’s Imprimatur. We have prayed daily for the priests, the Church, and the world since 1994. Associates are called to join prayer Chapters and help us circulate the newsletter centered on spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart and helping to renew the Church through greater holiness. Please form a Prayer Chapter & order a Prayer Manual.

  
 

 
Shepherds of Christ 6:20 Prayers CD
Holy Spirit Novena, Associates Prayer Manual and the Rosary Led by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J.
$ 10.00  plus postage
Priestly Newsletter 2000 Issue 1
Audio CD - Read by Father Edward J. Carter
$ 10.00  plus postage

Priestly Newsletter - 2000 #1 - CD. - Christ is Our Strength - Fr. Edward Carter, S.J. read it the year he died. It is so beautiful. "This brief passage contains one of the greatest lessons of the spiritual life. As we progress along our spiritual journey, we become increasingly aware of how weak we are in our-selves, but how strong we are in Christ. To experience our weakness involves suffering. The degree and kind of suffering can vary. The suffering can include the experience of the classical dark night of the spirit as described by St. John of the Cross. One of the main purposes of the dark night is to make a person keenly aware of his or her helplessness without God." quote by Fr. Carter from the newsletter $10
Priestly Newsletter 2000 Issue 2
Audio CD - Read by Father Edward J. Carter
$ 10.00  plus postage

Priestly Newsletter - 2000 #2 - CD. - Suffering: A Source of Life - Fr. Edward Carter, S.J. read it the year he died. Fr. Carter knew suffering that year. His voice is so powerful as he read each Newsletter from his heart and soul. "Every man has his own share in the redemption. Each one is also called to share in that suffering through which the redemption was accomplished. He is called to share in that suffering through which all human suffering has also been redeemed. In bringing about the redemption through suffering, Christ has also raised human suffering to the level of the redemption. Thus each man in his suffering can also become a sharer in the redemptive suffering of Christ..." quote by Fr. Carter from the newsletter $10

Fr. John J. Pasquini

Light, Happiness, & Peace
Journeying Through Traditional Catholic Spirituality Author: Fr. John J. Pasquini
$ 10.00 plus postage

This book Light, Happiness and Peace is a journey into the spiritual life — an awakening of deeper life IN HIM. Here are some of the comments we received from bishops and cardinals about the book. Cardinal – Pontifical Council for Culture – Vatican City “I am sure that this book, Light, Happiness and Peace through a discussion on traditional Catholic Spirituality will contribute in bringing back prayer into the mainstream of life.” $10
In Imitation of Two Hearts
Prayers for Consolation, Renewal and Peace in Times of Suffering Author: Fr. John J. Pasquini
$ 10.00  plus postage

In Imitation of Two Hearts - Prayers for Consolation, Renewal and Peace in Times of Suffering Fr. John J. Pasquini leads a suffering soul to the gentle Hearts of Jesus and Mary. In these most loving Hearts - the prayers by Fr. John Pasquini - help the person suffering to know more deeply the pascal mystery of death/resurrection. President of the Pontifical Council for Health $10
Authenticity
Authenticity - Prayers and Meditations Author: Fr. John J. Pasquini
$ 10.00  plus postage

Authenticity, the Yellow Book of prayers by Fr. John Pasquini, can lead the soul into deeper intimacy with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, can lead to greater love of Mary which leads to the unitive life and greater holiness. The book of prayers Authenticity by Fr. John J. Pasquini is to help one grow ever deeper in the Unitive life. Apostolic Nuncio – Archbishop – Philippines “With Authenticity, much is gained in prayer, and much is accomplished through prayer. More especially if prayer is directed in behalf of the Church.” $10
Medicine of Immortality
Prayers and Meditations for Mass and Eucharistic Adoration Author: Fr. John J. Pasquini
$ 10.00  plus postage

“In Medicine of Immortality, Father John Pasquini offers his readers the richness of Catholic devotional prayer, the wisdom of the Fathers and, most of all, the fruits of his own prayer and meditation before the Blessed Sacrament. I recommend this book to all who wish to grow in their love for the Lord, who sustains the life of His Church through the precious gift of His Body and Blood.” Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago $10
Ecce Fides
Pillar of Truth - Dedicated to defending Catholic beliefs through reason, Scripture, and the life of the Holy Spirit Author: Fr. John J. Pasquini
$ 10.00  plus postage

Ecce Fides is a work dedicated to defending Catholic beliefs through reason, Scripture, and the life of the Holy Spirit. "It is important that we (as people of God) return to the source of life, our faith, which is usefully exposed in this volume, and take it out to our contemporaries, evangelizing them and their cultures and inculturating the Gospel." Cardinal – Pontifical Council for Culture – Vatican City $10

  
Shepherds of Christ Spirituality Newsletters
 Author: Fr. John J. Pasquini
$ 35.00  plus postage

Shepherds of Christ, a book of Spirituality Newsletters, is a compilation of the first nine newsletters from Fr. John J. Pasquini begining in August 2006. The Newsletter has been circulated to the priests and hierarchy spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart, promoting love for the Eucharist, greater love for the Church, the Priesthood, Mary and the Holy Spirit, the Mass, Prayer, and greater intimate relationship with God. $35
Authenticity Ocean DVD
The Authenticity Prayer Book is read with the Ocean as a backdrop.
$ 10.00  plus postage

DVD - Prayers from the Authenticity Book read by Rita Ring on the ocean — it is beautiful. 410
Nursing Home Mass DVD
A special mass by Fr. John J. Pasquini for those in nursing homes or homebound.
$ 10.00  plus postage

DVD - A beautiful Mass was done by Fr. John J. Pasquini for Nursing homes and assisted living. It was done at St. Joseph's magnificent chapel — St. Joseph's assisted living in Jupiter, Florida. It last about 33 minutes. We call it the golden Nursing Home Mass from St. Joseph's. $10
Consolation DVD
Give this DVD as a sympathy present.
$ 10.00  plus postage

Consolation by Fr. John J. Pasquini — upon the passing of a loved one. Fr. Pasquini has done a beautiful gift of his most wonderful homily given when someone dear has died. It can be given as a tremendous gift. $10

  
Divine Mercy Chaplet CD
Give this DVD as a gift.
$ 10.00  plus postage

Divine Mercy Chaplet CD. Prayed by Fr. John J. Pasquini $10
Statues/Religious Items

Statues, Crucifixes, and Religious Artwork
These items are very special additions to your home or place of worship.
 

Special 27" Pilgrim Virgin of Fatima/Clearwater Statue with Glass
27" Statue with crown
$ 450.00 plus shipping
Special 18" Pilgrim Virgin of Fatima/Clearwater Statue with Glass  
$ 250.00 plus shipping
Special 15" Pilgrim Virgin of Fatima/Clearwater Statue with Glass
White gown with gold trim around mantel
$ 200.00 plus shipping
Special 12" Pilgrim Virgin of Fatima/Clearwater Statue with Glass
White gown with gold trim around mantel
$ 165.00 plus shipping
Special 18" Our Lady of Fatima/Clearwater Statue with Glass  
Blue and Pink gown with a rosary over her hand.
$ 250.00 plus shipping
Special 11" Our Lady of Fatima/Clearwater Statue with Glass
Blue and Pink gown.
$ 150.00 plus shipping
Crucifix by Felix - Hand Carved
Crucifix with incredible detail!
$ 750.00 plus shipping
Imitation of Two Hearts
Giclee Art Print on Canvas
$ 150.00 plus shipping
Lucia's Vision
Giclee Art Print on Canvas by Harold Kellner
$ 150.00 plus shipping
 
  Mary's Image   12 x 16
  Giclee Art Print on Canvas of Mary's image with a sliver of glass and a little bottle of Jesus and Mary water. The glass will be fixed behind the back of the picture.
  $ 200.00 plus shipping

 

 

 
  Blue Crystal Rosary
  Rosary with the Image of Our Lady of Clearwater
  6mm - $ 30.00 plus shipping
  8mm - $ 40.00 plus shipping

 
  Red Crystal Rosary
  Rosary with the Image of Our Lady of Clearwater
  6mm - $ 30.00 plus shipping
  8mm - $ 40.00 plus shipping

 

 
  Clear Crystal Rosary
  Rosary with the Image of Our Lady of Clearwater
  6mm - $ 30.00 plus shipping
  8mm - $ 40.00 plus shipping
 

 

 
  Mug
  Mug with the Image of Our Lady of Clearwater
  $ 15.00 plus shipping
 
 

 

 

Call Rosie
1-888-211-3041
or
1-727-725-9312

 

Statues  

OL-Guadalupe
w/glass - 28

OL-Grace
w/glass - 24

OL-Mt. Carmel
w/glass - 24

OL-Lourdes
w/glass - 24
  

IH-Mary
w/glass - 24

IH-Ivory
w/glass - 24

SH-Jesus
w/glass - 24

SH-Blessing
w/glass - 24

Sorrow M
w/glass - 24

Inf.-Prague
w/glass - 24

OL-Lourdes
w/glass - 18

OL-Mt. Carmel
w/glass - 18

I Heart
w/glass - 18

I Heart - Ivory
w/glass - 18

OL-Grace
w/glass - 18

SH-Jesus
w/glass - 18

OL-Guadalupe
w/glass - 12
 		 
PV-Fatima
w/glass - 27
 		PV-Fatima
w/glass - 18
 		PV-Fatima
w/glass - 15
 		OL-Fatima
w/glass - 18
 		PV-Fatima
w/glass - 12
 		OL-Fatima
w/glass - 11

St. Padre Pio

St. Joseph

St. Therese

St. Francis

St. Anthony

St. Claire

Limpias

St. Jude
  

Divine Mercy

Holy Family

Angel

St. Philomena

Pieta - Marble

Pieta - Color

Holy Family 12

St. Anthony - 18

St. Francis - 18

 		St. Joseph - 18

St. Therese - 18

St. Rita - 18

St. Clare - 12
  

St. Rita - 12

St. Padre Pio - 12

Divine Mercy - 12

St. Michael - 11

Limpias - 8
 		       
           
           
           
           

 


Shepherds of Christ Ministries
P. O. Box 627
China, IN  47250

 

Toll free - 1-888-211-3041
Local - 1-812-273-8405
fax - 1-812-273-3182
web: www.sofc.org
e-mail: info@sofc.org
 
  Size Price Quantity   

 Holy Family

 24"

$180

  

 Limpias

 24"

$125

  

 St. Anthony

 24"

$125

  

 St. Claire

 24"

$125

  

 St. Francis

 24"

$125

  

 St. Joseph

 24"

$125

  

 St. Jude

 24"

$125

  

 St. Padre Pio

 24"

$125

  

 St. Therese

 24"

$125

  
 Divine Mercy

22"

 $125  
 Angel

22"

 $100  
 St. Philomena

20"

 $100  
 St. Philomena

16"

 $65  
 St. Joseph

18"

 $65  
 St. Francis

18"

 $65  
 St. Anthony

18"

 $65  
 St. Rita

18"

 $65  
 St. Therese

18"

 $65  
 Pieta - Color 15" $125  
 Pieta - Marble 15" $125  
 Holy Family

12"

 $75  
 St. Padre Pio - standing

12"

 $100  
 St. Padre Pio - sitting

9"

 $100  
 St. Michael

11"

 $40  
 St. Rita

12"

 $40  

 Divine Mercy

12"

 $50  
 St. Claire

12"

 $40  
 Pieta - Color 8" $75  
 Pieta - Marble 8" $75  
 Limpias

8"

 $25  
 Our Lady of Guadalupe w/glass

28"

 $500  
 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel w/glass

24"

 $500  

 Immaculate Heart of Mary w/glass

 24"

$500  

 Immaculate Heart - Ivory w/glass

 24"

$500  

 Infant of Prague w/glass

 24"

$500  

 Our Lady of Grace w/glass

 24"

$500  

 Our Lady of Lourdes w/glass  

 24"

$500  
 Sacred Heart of Jesus w/glass

 24"

$500  
 Sacred Heart -Blessing w/glass

 24"

$500  

 Sorrowful Mother w/glass

 24"

$500  
 Immaculate Heart of Mary w/glass

18"

 $300  
 Immaculate Heart - Ivory w/glass

18"

 $300  
 Sacred Heart of Jesus w/glass

18"

 $300  
 Our Lady of Lourdes w/glass  

18"

 $300  
 Our Lady of Grace w/glass

18"

 $300  

 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel w/glass

 18" $300  
 Our Lady of Guadalupe w/glass

12"

 $200  

 Fatima w/glass

11"

 $150  

 Fatima w/glass

 18"

 $250  
 Pilgrim Virgin w/glass

 12"

 $160  
 Pilgrim Virgin w/glass 15" $200  
 Pilgrim Virgin w/glass 18" $250  
 Pilgrim Virgin w/glass

27"

 $450  


Call for Shipping Price (1-888-211-3041)
 
  Name
    		 Sub-Total
  Address
          		 IN Tax (7%)
  City
   		 Shipping
  State                                            Zip
   		 Donation
  Telephone
    		 Order Total

  

 

Call Rosie
1-888-211-3041
or
1-727-725-9312

 

   

    
Immaculate Heart and Sacred Heart Pictures Available
with & without frames - different sizes available

 

Table of Contents

Previous Daily Message

Main Shepherds of Christ Page

SofC LogoCopyright © 2011 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: January 1, 2011
URL: http://www.sofc.org
Contact Information for Shepherds of Christ
Email: info@SofC.org

Shepherds of Christ Ministries
P.O. Box 627
China, Indiana 47250

Telephone: (toll free) 1-888-211-3041 or (812) 273-8405
FAX: (812) 273-3182