Topic: Prophecy Meditation
Padre Pio's Christmas Meditation
http://members. aol.com/fmrega4/ PadrePioChristma s.htm
Appearing in volume four of the Italian-language edition of Padre Pio's letters, this essay was taken from Padre Pio's hand-written notebooks. To the best of my knowledge, it is presented here for the first time in English.
Translated by Frank M. Rega, December 2005.
"Padre Pio da Pietrelcina: Epistolario IV," Edizioni Padre Pio, San Giovanni Rotondo, 2002, pages 1007-1009.
Far into the night, at the coldest time of the year, in a chilly grotto, more suitable for a flock of beasts than for humans, the promised Messiah – Jesus – the savior of mankind, comes into the world in the fullness of time.
There are none who clamor around him: only an ox and an ass lending their warmth to the newborn infant; with a humble woman, and a poor and tired man, in adoration beside him.
Nothing can be heard except the sobs and whimpers of the infant God. And by means of his crying and weeping he offers to the Divine justice the first ransom for our redemption.
He had been expected for forty centuries; with longing sighs the ancient Fathers had implored his arrival. The sacred scriptures clearly prophesy the time and the place of his birth, and yet the world is silent and no one seems aware of the great event.
Only some shepherds, who had been busy watching over their sheep in the meadows, come to visit him. Heavenly visitors had alerted them to the wondrous event, inviting them to approach his cave.
So plentiful, O Christians, are the lessons that shine forth from the grotto of Bethlehem! Oh how our hearts should be on fire with love for the one who with such tenderness was made flesh for our sakes!
Oh how we should burn with desire to lead the whole world to this lowly cave, refuge of the King of kings, greater than any worldly palace, because it is the throne and dwelling place of God! Let us ask this Divine child to clothe us with humility, because only by means of this virtue can we taste the fullness of this mystery of Divine tenderness.
Glittering were the palaces of the proud Hebrews. Yet, the light of the world did not appear in one of them. Ostentatious with worldly grandeur, swimming in gold and in delights, were the great ones of the Hebrew nation; filled with vain knowledge and pride were the priests of the sanctuary.
In opposition to the true meaning of Divine revelation, they awaited an officious savoir, who would come into the world with human renown and power.
But God, always ready to confound the wisdom of the world, shatters their plans. Contrary to the expectations of those lacking in Divine wisdom, he appears among us in the greatest abjection, renouncing even birth in St. Joseph’s humble home, denying himself a modest abode among relatives and friends in a city of Palestine.
Refused lodging among men, he seeks refuge and comfort among mere animals, choosing their habitation as the place of his birth, allowing their breath to give warmth to his tender body.
He permits simple and rustic shepherds to be the first to pay their respects to him, after he himself informed them, by means of his angels, of the wonderful mystery.
Oh wisdom and power of God, we are constrained to exclaim – enraptured along with your Apostle – how incomprehensible are your judgments and unsearchable your ways! Poverty, humility, abjection, contempt, all surround the Word made flesh.
But we, out of the darkness that envelops the incarnate Word, understand one thing, hear one voice, perceive one sublime truth: you have done everything out of love, you invite us to nothing else but love, speak of nothing except love, give us naught except proofs of love.
The heavenly babe suffers and cries in the crib so that for us suffering would be sweet, meritorious and accepted. He deprives himself of everything, in order that we may learn from him the renunciation of worldly goods and comforts.
He is satisfied with humble and poor adorers, to encourage us to love poverty, and to prefer the company of the little and simple rather than the great ones of the world.
This celestial child, all meekness and sweetness, wishes to impress in our hearts by his example these sublime virtues, so that from a world that is torn and devastated an era of peace and love may spring forth.
Even from the moment of his birth he reveals to us our mission, which is to scorn that which the world loves and seeks.
Oh let us prostrate ourselves before the manger, and along with the great St. Jerome, who was enflamed with the love of the infant Jesus, let us offer him all our hearts without reserve.
Let us promise to follow the precepts which come to us from the grotto of Bethlehem, which teach us that everything here below is vanity of vanities, nothing but vanity.
COMMENTS WELCOME
Translation Disclaimer:
All translations in any of my Web pages made from various Italian language sources are intended as an informal, good faith sharing from my own personal notes, and are not otherwise authorized, official, or presented as completely accurate.
Medjugorje Day X day Dec 27 - I WISH TO DEEPEN YOUR LOVE
Message of December 25, 2005 (Transmitted by Marija)
"Dear children! Also today, in my arms I bring you little Jesus, the King of Peace, to bless you with His peace. Little children, in a special way today I call you to be my carriers of peace in this peaceless world.
God will bless you. Little children, do not forget that I am your mother. I bless you all with a special blessing, with little Jesus in my arms. Thank you for having responded to my call."
Message of December 25, 2005 (Transmitted by Jakov)
"Dear children! Today, with Jesus in my arms, in a special way I call you to conversion. Children, through all this time which God permitted me to be with you, I continuously called you to conversion.
Many of your hearts remained closed. Little children, Jesus is peace, love and joy; therefore now decide for Jesus. Start to pray.
Pray to Him for the gift of conversion. Little children, only with Jesus can you have peace, joy and a heart filled with love. Little children, I love you. I am your mother and give you my motherly blessing.
"To each and everyone He comes as if He had never come before in His own sweet way, He the Child who is born . . . Jesus the Savior, He Emmanuel, He, Christ as Christ's Mass on Christmas?Merry Christmas!!" (Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen).
Mother Teresa -
Let's concentrate on a worthwhile goal:
that no child be unwanted,
that no person go unloved.
And let's not stop smiling at whomever we meet, especially when it's hard to smile.
Meditations by Padre Pio -
Jesus calls the poor and simple shepherds by means of angels to manifest Himself to them. He calls the learned men by means of their science. And all of them moved interiorly by grace hasten to adore Him.
He calls all of us with divine inspirations and He communicates Himself to us with His Grace. How many times has He not lovingly invited us also? And with what promptitude have we replied? My God I blush and am filled with confusion at having to reply to such a question.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen -
Totalitarianism is the scapegoat of irresponsibility
"Perhaps it is the very burden of responsibility which flows from free choice that makes so many human beings ready to surrender their great gift of freedom.
This also explains the search for someone to whom they can commit their choice, who will do their thinking for them and relieve them of the awful burden of the consequences of their free decisions. This search for someone to whom neurotic minds can commit themselves explains the comparatively facile surrender of so many to totalitarianism in our day and age."
St. Faustina's diary http://www.marian. org/directory_ flash.html -
Sister C.* came in the afternoon and took me home for the holy days. I was happy to be reunited with the community. As we were riding through the city [Cracow], I imagined it was the town of Bethlehem.
As I watched all those people hurrying about, I thought: who is meditating today, in recollection and silence, on this inconceivable mystery? O pure Virgin, You are traveling today, and so am I. I feel that today's journey has its symbolism. O radiant Virgin, pure as crystal, all immersed in God, I offer You my spiritual life; arrange everything that it may be pleasing to Your Son. O my Mother, how ardently I desire that You give me the Infant Jesus during the Midnight Mass.
And I felt such a living presence of God in the depths of my soul, that it was only by sheer will-power that I restrained my, joy in order not to show outwardly what was going on in my soul. (844)
Mary, Immaculate Virgin, take me under your special protection and guard the purity of my soul, heart and body. You are the model and star of my life. (874)
*Sister Cajetan-Mary Bartkowiak. Born January 19, 1911, she entered the Congregation in 1933. She was with Sister Faustina in Warsaw and in Cracow. She was a witness at the information process in 1965-66.
Dailys - http://www.catholic -forum.com/ e-pistle. html -
MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY
These thoughts for a day are taken from a daily meditation book based on the Messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje by Father Richard J. Beyer, Ave Maria Press.
Dec 27 - I WISH TO DEEPEN YOUR LOVE
In this Christmas season, Our Lady seeks to lead us further in love:
Dear children, I wish to thank all of you who have heeded my messages and who, on Christmas Day, have put into practice what I asked of you. Undefiled by sin from now on, I wish to deepen your love even further. And so, abandon your hearts to me! (Weekly Message Dec 26, 1985).
The story of the Magi speaks of love expressing itself in giving:
When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.
On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Mt 2: 9-12).
Reflection:
As our readings illustrate today, Christmas is the great season of love and giving. The Magi, awed by the miracle of God coming into the world as a helpless infant, responded by offering him their most precious gifts.
This spirit of giving is captured in this passage from Frank O'Connor's, An Only Child:
One Christmas, Santa Claus brought me a toy engine. I took it with me to the convent, and played with it while mother and the nuns discussed old times. But it was a young nun who brought us in to see the crib.
When I saw the Holy Child in the manger, I was distressed because little as I had, he had nothing at all. For me it was fresh proof of the incompetence of Santa Claus.
I asked the young nun politely if the Holy Child didn't like toys, and she replied composedly enough, "Oh, he does, but his mother is too poor to afford them."
That settled it. My mother was poor too, but at Christmas she at least managed to buy me something even if it was only a box of crayons.
I distinctly remember getting into the crib and putting the engine between his outstretched arms. I probably showed him how to wind it as well, because a small baby like that would not be clever enough to know.
I remember too the tearful feeling of reckless generosity with which I left him there in the nightly darkness of the chapel, clutching my toy to his chest.
Application:
Today, simply reflect in prayer on the gifts you have received from the Lord. In what way can you share them?
Message to Fr. Melvin Doucette December 27, 2007
Our Father gives you everything
Reading: John 1:1-18
Dear friends,
And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, and we saw His glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
I spent a half-hour in contemplative prayer this morning and I was with Jesus, Our Lord and friend. He said, Melvin, My brother, I love you. I bless all My friends, especially those who are suffering in any way.
I am with you and I am giving you the graces you need every day. I want to live in your hearts and make My permanent home there. Open your heart to Me every day.
I give glory to My Father in heaven for the marvels of His wisdom. It was His will that I be born of My Blessed Mother Mary as a man.
I came to live among you and those who were present were able to touch, to see and to hear the Son of God without any difficulty. The Father brought about this great mystery so that you would be redeemed from your sins and become the adopted children of the Father.
I am the Father's only Son and by being a member of My Mystical Body, you become also a son or daughter of the Father. When He looks at Me, the Father sees all those who are grafted in Me and they are all His adopted children whom He loves as He loves Me.
My friends, our Father gives you everything, including the gift of life. Every good thing comes from Him and He is very generous with His gifts. He is always there to protect you and He provides for all your needs. Thank Him for your friends and every member of your family.
You are called to honour your Father and to worship Him with all your heart. His children are expected to live according to His commandments, which He gave to Moses on the mountain.
He loves you with infinite love and He expects you to love all your friends and neighbours, even those who do not love you. Strive with the graces I give you to love the Father by living a life in conformity with His plan for you. I bless you and My Father blesses you too.
Father Melvin
P.S. I was supposed to go to New Brunswick today but because of the snowstorm I will stay home. I hope to go another day.
I will have one hour of prayer in the prayer room on December 31 from 11:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight to usher in the New Year. Everyone is welcome to attend.
I will have a Healing Mass on January 4, 2008, the first Friday of January. I pray that it will be a nice day.
I continue to answer the many letters I received for Christmas. I thank you all for your cards and gifts.
To send a personal message to Fr. Melvin, address your e-mail to: melvin.doucette@ pei.sympatico. ca
To read the day's message online, visit www.ourladyofpei. ca/message. php
To access archived messages, visit http://groups. google.ca/ group/Heaven- Speaks-to- Us
When not traveling, Fr. Melvin celebrates Holy Mass in the Prayer Room every Wednesday and Saturday at 9:30 a.m. A Healing Mass is also held once a month, usually on first Friday at 7:30 p.m.
On the other Fridays of the month, a Marian Movement of Priests Cenacle is held at 7:30 p.m. Schedules may change depending on Fr. Melvin's commitments. The Prayer Room is usually open during the day, but we recommend that visitors call ahead.
Fr. Melvin Doucette, M. Afr.
1704 Palmer Road, RR 2
Tignish, PE (Prince Edward Island) C0B 2B0
Canada
Message to Darrell Bennett Dec. 24, 2007
MISSION MOMENTS
is provided by
Miracle of the Rosary Mission, Inc.
MissionMoments@...
Http://www.MiracleRosaryMission.org
Monday, December 24, 2007
BVM to db during 10:00AM Cenacle of Prayer
My children I love you. I call you to embrace holy poverty. Empty yourselves of
the world, its vanities and passing riches and pleasures.
Dear children open your hearts to the fullness of God’s love. Receive
the gifts, blessings and graces He desires to impart to you.
My children behold the Lord of lords, the child Jesus, who veiled His divinity
that you could approach Him without fear and trepidation, and gaze upon Him who
gave His life for love of you. You in turn are called through baptism to give
your life for love of others through your love for God to the glory of the Most
High God.
Glory to God in the Highest Heaven and peace on earth to all who love God.
Darrell Bennett, President
Miracle of the Rosary Mission, Inc.
1444C Hwy 1
Thibodaux, LA 70301
USA
Message to Sharon Fitzpatrick Dec.26,2007
PRAYER GROUP ROSARY / WEDNESDAYS - 7:00P.M. / SUNDAYS - 3:00 P.M
LADY OF LOURDES GROTTO (BEHIND HOSPITAL) PANA, IL
MESSAGE FROM HEAVEN
SHARON FITZPATRICK LOCUTIONIST
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2007
MY DEAR DEAR PRECIOUS LITTLE CHILDREN,
OH MY LOVES, YOU HAVE RECEIVED GREAT GIFTS AND AS YOU WERE PRESENT AT THE CRIB
YOU RECEIVED MUCH, MUCH GRACE. YOU HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO BE AT THE OPENING OF
THE FIRST AND LAST STATEMENTS THAT WILL EFFECT ALL OF THE WORLD. YOU DO NOT
UNDERSTAND THESE WORDS, BUT YOU WILL COME INTO THAT KNOWLEDGE AS YOU ALSO
WITNESS GOD'S ACT OF LOVE AND MERCY.
MY DEAR SWEET CHILDREN, KEEP JOY IN YOUR HEARTS. THE TRIALS OF THE DAY WILL BE
SHORT LIVED WHAT IS YOURS WILL BE FOR ETERNITY. CAST AWAY YOUR FEARS, AND DO NOT
CONCERN YOURSELVES WITH THE ACTIONS OF OTHERS. YOU CANNOT CHANGE WHAT OTHERS DO,
BUT YOU CAN CHANGE THEIR STATUS WITH PRAYER AND TRUST. STAND FIRM IN THE TRUTH.
LET YOUR EXAMPLE BE FELT BY OTHERS. BE JOYFUL, BE SINCERE, BE ALWAYS FOR EACH
OTHER.
THE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS ARE NOW YOURS. REFLECT ON GOD'S GREAT LOVE FOR YOU.
CONSIDER ALL THAT IS YOURS AND REJOICE IN GOD'S LOVE FOR YOU.
I GIVE TO YOU MY BLESSING. IT IS SWEET WITH MY FRAGRANCE AND SHALL LINGER WITH
YOU. WITH ALL YOUR HEART GIVE PRAISE AND THANKS TO GOD, FATHER, SON AND HOLY
SPIRIT.
PRAISE TO CHRIST THE KING - NOW AND FOREVER.
YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE BLESSING OF CHRIST - IT HAS COME TO YOU THROUGH MY HEART.