Excerpts from Psalm 76 (77)(How much like children were the souls of the Old Testament. God gave them their exodus from slavery and sustained them. They responded, with a modernized refrain, “What have You done for us lately?” If the Old and New Testaments are bound by and divided by the coming of Jesus, then the Old represents the maturation of enough followers and history of the Law, that God deemed it time to commit the ultimate act of love. Jesus was sent, “not to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it.” He came ...<< MORE >>

Therese's tearful plea in her audience with Pope Leo XII to enter the Carmel monastery at the age of fifteen is answered, not with his approval, but with a steady gaze and a servant's referral, "You will enter [Carmel] if it is God's will."

Ushered from the audience by physical assistance of Papal Guard and Father Reverony, Therese felt the distress of being blocked in her desire, "Jesus was silent...the sun did not dare shine...my journey was to no purpose." But also inwardly Therese felt a deep peace that she had done everything possible to answer God's call. Offering herself as a 'little ball, His little plaything', "I wished only to amuse the Child Jesus and let Him do with me exactly as He liked." He had pierced the little ball to see what was inside, then dropped it and let it roll away, "but in the end [he would hold] it close to His heart, never to let slip from His hands again."

The God of Abraham was praised and worshiped for guidance He showed His people, the battles won in His name and the rewards earned by faithful service. Fear and honor were the motivations of praise. Then came the Son.

The Son of God was worshiped in anticipation of His Father's deeds in battle for the Israelites. But, no victories of conquest or defense were mounted on His behalf, to the disappointment of many.  The foe He declared was the one within each person -- the self.

Dying out of the love His father showed in defense of all Israel, Christ showed us how to die just to self to achieve heavenly victory. Amen.

A sermon of St Bernard: The whole world awaits Mary's reply [May we, like our Holy Mother Mary, consent to the True Essense of Love, which does not demand, but asks our obedience and love in return for His] You have heard, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The angel awaits an answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon ...<< MORE >>

From a sermon by St. Augustine -- John is the voice, but the Lord is the Word who was in the beginning. John is the voice that lasts for a time; from the beginning Christ is the Word who lives for ever. Take away the word, the meaning, and what is the voice?When I think about what I am going to say, the word or message is already in my heart. The sound of my voice brings the meaning of the word to you[r heart] and then passes away.When the word has been conveyed to you, does not the sound seem to ...<< MORE >>

With stones gathered from the martyrs’ arena of the Colosseum, Celine and Therese next visited Rome’s catacombs, the tomb of St. Cecilia and the house where she was martyred. From that visit, St. Cecilia became Therese’ “patroness and intimate confidante,” because of her total abandonment to and confidence in God, “which enabled her to purify souls who had never desired anything but the joys of the world.”On the seventh day of their Rome pilgrimage, the Martin family attended Mass in the Holy Father’s private Vatican chapel, then a Papal audience. The Gospel of the day encouraged Therese in her desire ...<< MORE >>

Psalm 4:7-9 Many say, "May we see better times! LORD, show us the light of your face!" But you have given my heart more joy than they have when grain and wine abound. In peace I shall both lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me secure.Lord, You made the sun and moon to shine upon us that we might know the Light and its Your guidance, even in darkness. As we can not stare into the sun for its brightness overwhelms, nor can we grasp in this life the infinite love that is You. Only in ...<< MORE >>

Continuing their pilgrimage to Rome, Therese recounts the stillness of Venice, the Bridge of Sighs (so named by prisoners relieved to be crossing it toward their execution rather than kept forever in the dark prison cells of under Doge’s Palace), and especially Padua and Bologna where they venerated the relics of St. Anthony and Catherine. With brimming joy Celine and Therese visited the Holy House of Loretto home to the Holy Family itself, wherein she placed her Rosary in a bowl used by Jesus and – to their hearts’ delights -- they arranged to receive Communion within Santa Casa...<< MORE >>

Lord God, Father and Son and the love of the Holy Spirit that flows to us and among us. To be a Christian is to be willing to sacrifice self for God’s will, even unto death. This we do out of receipt and expression of that consuming Love.  Lord, I offer my life, in its sum, and in the small sacrifices I make in every moment to that Love that binds me to You and those around me.

Lord, what is Your guidance for defending loved ones and community in the face of hatred? Guide me to pray for the enemy of my family and people. Guide me to wisdom in furthering brotherhood when reason sees its possibility. Guide our leaders, Lord, as they combat those who express their Islamic faith through hatred and murder.

The Cross is Your sign of ultimate Love, and our path in self denial and wish to share this Love. May I support those who protect those I love, in Your Name, and through justice and reason may peace come.

The spiritual diaries of St John de Brébeuf For two days now I have experienced a great desire to be a martyr and to endure all the torments the martyrs suffered.Jesus, my Lord and Saviour, what can I give you in return for all the favours you have first conferred on me? I will take from your hand the cup of your sufferings and call on your name. I vow before your eternal Father and the Holy Spirit, before your most holy Mother and her most chaste spouse, before the angels, apostles and martyrs, before my blessed fathers Saint Ignatius and ...<< MORE >>