Reflection: I am the vine; you are the branches...

Jesus teaches us that He is the vine, God the Father is the vine grower and we are the branches.

Jesus said to His disciples, "I am the vine, and My Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does, He prunes, so that it bears more fruit. John 15:1-2 

How can you bear fruit?
You bear fruit by staying attached to the vine, which is Jesus. He has called you, by name, as His disciple and He wants you to bear fruit with your life.

How do you stay attached to the vine?  
Jesus gave us the Mass to keep us attached to the vine. During the Mass, we hear the Word of God, which nourishes our souls and we receive the Eucharist to feed us as food for the journey, the bread from heaven. We stay attached to the vine by going to confession. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Jesus pours out His Love, Mercy and Forgiveness. Through this Sacrament, Jesus will heal, prune, purify and sanctify us.

Without Jesus, we can do nothing. Jesus uses the image of the vine to show us that we can grow and become who He made us to be. When we stay attached to Him, He gives us strength and grace to endure hardships and to bear fruit with our lives. When we bear fruit, we share our gifts with others; we serve God by serving others.  Jesus said:

By their fruits, you will know them. Matthew 7:20

Have you ever felt alone, isolated or excluded by others?  
If you have experienced this kind of pain, bring your hurts to confession and to Jesus, in prayer, especially during the Mass. If you can, go to daily Mass. In this way, Jesus will heal you and nourish you every day with His Word and the Eucharist.

If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become My disciples. John 15:7-8

Reflection: I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

Jesus is calling you by name. Can you hear His voice?

But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. John 10:2-3

Spend time in silence with Jesus, talking with Him as you would with a dear friend. In Eucharistic adoration, Jesus is present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. In a chapel or church, sit before the tabernacle. Jesus is there and He is waiting for you.

Make a quiet place in your home and sit in the Presence of the Lord. Go to a place where you feel peace, take a quiet walk or sit by the seashore or a lake. Wherever you go, place yourself in His Presence and listen. You will come to know His voice.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who is always searching for you. When you turn away from Him, He never stops looking for you to draw you back. He protects you from danger and from enemies and always watches over you. He will console and heal you and restore your soul.

Place yourself in His arms and rest, knowing you are His beloved child.

Be still and listen to His voice...

Jesus came that you may have abundant life, a life lived to the fullest, here on earth and eternal life with Him in heaven. In the Scriptures, there are so many stories of struggles, suffering and pain. God is in the midst of all these difficulties and He is with you in all your sufferings too.  He brings peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Make time to place yourself in His Presence and listen for His voice.

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

Reflection: I am the Good Shepherd

Jesus is the Good Shepherd.  He is our Protector and our Refuge. When we wander away and get lost, He never stops looking for us. He knows us by name and we are His own.  He watches over His flock and protects us from danger and from enemies. When we are in trouble, He lifts us up on His shoulder or under the safety of His arm and He carries us home.

I am the Good Shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11

Meditation:  Imagine you are lost in the mountains, wandering, feeling afraid and alone. You do not know where to go for shelter. The sounds of the night frighten you. Suddenly, you hear someone calling your name. It is Jesus, the Good Shepherd. He gathers you into His arms and tells you He has been searching for you. He holds you close, as a loving father does. Look into His eyes and tell him everything you have been through. Let Him hold you so close you can hear His beating Heart. Let Jesus console you, heal your broken heart and carry you home to the safety of His fold. You are not alone. Rest with Jesus.

The Lord is my Shepherd. There is nothing I shall want. Psalm 23:1

Today is World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Let us pray for vocations to our Mother Mary.

Mary, Most Holy, as a young woman living in obscurity, you nurtured with loving care, the Word of God made flesh. Please protect and accompany all young men and women to a vocation to the priesthood, consecrated life or marriage. Amen.

Today is also Good Shepherd Sunday, a day to remember and pray for our beloved priests. I have been blessed to know so many beautiful priests, good shepherds. There is one priest I want to remember in a special way today. His name is Fr. Greg Staab, OMV (Oblate of the Virgin Mary). Jesus called him to his eternal home on March 1, 2018. Fr. Greg lived "all for Jesus through Mary" and he taught others to consecrate their lives to Jesus through Mary. He had a burning love for the Divine Mercy of Jesus. Fr. Greg was in hospital or rehabs for more than three years with a very rare disease, but his priestly ministry continued from his hospital bed. There was a constant flow of visitors to see Fr. Greg: priests, seminarians, sisters, friends, hospital patients and hospital workers. For as long as he was able, he celebrated Mass followed by a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration from his hospital bed every day. He inspired me and others with his deep love for the Eucharist and for Mary, our Immaculate Mother, his love for prayer and for the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, his devotion to Saint Therese of Lisieux and Saint Faustina and to the Divine Mercy of God in Jesus Christ who bestows upon us unimaginable graces when we approach the Fount of His mercy.

Immaculate Mary, Mother of God and Mother of Priests, pray for all our good shepherds like Fr. Greg. Keep them under your protective mantle of love and pray for vocations to the priesthood, the consecrated life and marriage from our families, our parishes and our Church.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

The Memorare

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux wrote of the great spiritual advantage of true devotion to our Blessed Mother, inviting us to become her trusting children. He wrote this beautiful prayer:

"Look to the star of the sea, call upon Mary … in danger, in distress, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. May her name never be far from your lips, or far from your heart … If you follow her, you will not stray; if you pray to her, you will not despair; if you turn your thoughts to her, you will not err. If she holds you, you will not fall; if she protects you, you need not fear; if she is your guide, you will not tire; if she is gracious to you, you will surely reach your destination."

Our Mother Mary, understands our sufferings and hurts. Let us ask for her intercession to Jesus. Her heart was pierced when she heard Simeon's words, as she held her precious Baby. She did not understand, but she kept all these things pondering them in her heart. Even when we do not understand, let us unite our sufferings and the things we do not understand with Mary.

Mary was petitioned as "Mother of God" at least by the 3rd Century, as is evidenced by the discovery of the Sub Tuum prayer:

This prayer, known in Latin as "Sub tuum Praesidium" and first found in a Greek papyrus, c. 300, is the oldest known prayer to the Virgin.

We turn to you for protection, Holy Mother of God. Listen to our prayers and help us in all our needs. Save us from every danger, glorious and blessed Virgin.

The "Memorare" is a sixteenth-century version of a fifteenth-century prayer that began "Ad sanctitatis tuae pedes, dulcissima Virgo Maria." Claude Bernard (1588-1641) popularized the idea and wrote the "Memorare".

The Memorare
Remember, most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother, to you do I come before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.  O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

Reflection: The Bread of Life Discourse

In the Gospel of John 6, Jesus spoke to the disciples about the bread from heaven, the bread of life and the living bread.

So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."  John 6:32-33

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger and whoever believes in me will never thirst."  John 6:35

This food, the bread of life, helps us endure the trials and adversities of life and sustains and satisfies our hunger for God.

"I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I give is My flesh for the life of the world."  John 6:51

Jesus comes to us from the Father. He is the bread that gives life. Jesus feeds us with the Word of God and nourishes us with the Eucharist, the bread from heaven.  This bread gives us strength and food for the journey of our pilgrimage through life.

Jesus is the bread from heaven, the bread of life and the living bread.

Jesus loves you so very much. Come to Him. Prepare to receive Him in the Eucharist by going to confession frequently. Jesus comes to heal you and meet you in the Eucharist.

Reflection: Peace on Earth + Pray the Rosary Daily

Our Lady of Fatima appeared to the shepherd children telling them to pray the rosary daily for peace. She speaks these words to us too.

In this world, there is so much that can cause distress in the soul. Trusting in God is the key. When your heart and your soul ache, turn to Him. Only God can restore your soul. God is always there, in times of trouble, anxiety and distress. He is there when you fall and when you are hurt. God is always with you. He will never leave you alone. He will come to help you. He will send people to help you. Like a little child, reach out and hold His hand.

Peace I leave you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

Pray the rosary daily for peace in the world and for families. Meditating on the mysteries of the rosary, you enter into the lives of Jesus and Mary. Let there be peace in our hearts, our families, our country and our world.

Saint John Paul II wrote about the power of the rosary and encouraged families to pray the rosary every day to grow in holiness and to become more like Jesus. The rosary has great power to heal the world from the breakdown of the family, abortion and violence. The rosary focuses on Jesus through the eyes of His Mother Mary, our Mother.

Be not afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ. Saint John Paul II

ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE Saint John Paul II Apostolic Letter on the Rosary

Reflection: + The Chaplet of Divine Mercy + Eucharistic Adoration +

Saint Faustina had a vision and heard the words of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in her soul, 

“Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world; for the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”  

She began reciting this prayer constantly, offering it for the sick and dying. Jesus said to her, “Encourage souls to say the Chaplet which I have given you.  I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy."  

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a powerful intercessory prayer that extends the offering of the Eucharist. Prayer is a spiritual work of mercy. 

"For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."

Jesus will entrust souls to you, the souls He wants you to pray for. Never give up praying for the conversion of a soul, living or dead. Jesus has entrusted that soul to you and He hears your prayers.  Do not waste your sufferings! Save souls by giving your sufferings and miseries to Jesus. Be apostles of Divine Mercy. Consecrate your life to Jesus through Mary.Trust in Jesus more every day. Perform spiritual and corporal works of mercy and be merciful.

If you want to know Jesus, spend time with Him in prayer during Eucharistic Adoration. When you love someone, you spend time with them. That's how you get to know them. When you go to Eucharistic Adoration, you spend time with Jesus. As you gaze at Him, He gazes back at you with great love. 

As you spend more time with Him, two great things happen. You get to know Jesus and Jesus helps you get to know yourself. During Eucharistic Adoration, Jesus is Present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. His Love pours out of the Eucharist like the rays of Blood and Water gushing forth from His Sacred Heart pouring into the heart of every person who comes to visit Him.

O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a Fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You. Jesus I trust in You.

Reflection: The Annunciation of the Lord

Today we celebrate the Annunciation of the Lord. The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to tell her that she had been chosen by God to be the Mother of the Son of God, the Mother of the Savior of the world.

Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."  Luke 1:30-33

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.  Luke 1:36-37

The angel Gabriel gave Mary two personal messages to encourage and strengthen her.

"Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God"  
"For nothing will be impossible for God." 

The blessings of these messages strengthened Mary for the rest of her life, especially during times of sorrow and trial. Then the angel Gabriel revealed to Mary the pregnancy of Elizabeth. Both woman would bear a child through Divine Intervention. This represents the first and second Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, the Annunciation and the Visitation. Remember that the Angel Gabriel told Mary to be unafraid. Bring your fears to God and say yes to Him, knowing that all things are possible for Him.

Mary responded with her FIAT, her Yes to God:

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Luke 1:38

Mary trusted God.
  
When you think of Mary, call upon her:
O Mary, my Mother, come and help me to trust God the way you did. Every time I pray the Hail Mary, I call upon your assistance. Mary, I want to greet you the way the Angel Gabriel greeted you. Help me to be unafraid and to trust God the way you trust Him.

God created us because us and wants us to live with Him eternally. He places the highest value on human life. He loves us so much that he became one of us, took on our human nature and became an innocent, completely dependent infant.

When we repeat the words of the angel by praying the Hail Mary, the Word of God dwells among us. Through Mary's humble, obedient Fiat, heaven and earth meet.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee...

Reflection: "I have seen the Lord."

The tomb is empty...

Mary Magdalen was heartbroken. She stood outside the tomb weeping.

But Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken my Lord, and I don't know where they laid Him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" She thought it was the gardener and said to Him, "Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take Him." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni," which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Stop holding on to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brothers and tell them, 'I am going to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.'" Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and what He told her. John 20:11-18

Meditation:

Place yourself at the tomb. Mary is weeping and so are you. Suddenly, Jesus is standing there in your midst. At first, you do not recognize him. Then He calls you by name and you know it is Jesus. He is truly risen!  You embrace Him and He looks at you with great love and says, "Stop holding on to me...Go to My brothers and tell them"  Mary went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord." Turn to the Holy Spirit in prayer and Eucharistic adoration and ask Him to give you the courage and the words to draw others close to Him. He will fill you with His love, peace and joy and send you out to go and tell others about Him and His great love. 

Jesus has called YOU by name. He has given YOU a mission to tell others about Him.  Who is it in your life who is far away from the Lord? Ask Jesus to help you reach out to that person. 

The promise is made to you and to your children, and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call. Acts 2:39

Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit after Pentecost. This promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit is for you and your loved ones. He will fill you with His peace, grace and courage. 

Jesus has risen from the dead!  Morning has broken.  Amen.  Alleluia!

Jesus is calling us to go and tell others about Him. We cannot hold onto Him or keep Him to ourselves. Jesus is commissioning us to go out and proclaim the Gospel. Turn to Our Blessed Mother Mary in prayer. She will bring them to her Beloved Son.

Jesus Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

The tomb is empty! Jesus has risen from the dead. Amen. Alleluia!

John 20:1-9 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him." So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

The stone was rolled away. Imagine how the disciples must have felt! They saw and they believed! After all their hopes had been shattered, Jesus rose from the dead! No matter what is going on in your life, do not despair or give up hope. Bring your sufferings, struggles and sadness to Jesus. 

Jesus is the Light who shattered the darkness! He came to make all things new. He broke the bonds of death to make a new creation. Life overcame death. Love never fails! Be still and enter into the Presence of Jesus this day. Invite Him into your heart.  He wants to make you a new creation in Him. Jesus makes all things new. 

Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and Hallelujah is our song. Saint John Paul II

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.  Psalm 118:24