Lord, You are God the Father.
Forgive me, Lord, when I forget that you have created all, and as Father of all, reign supreme.
Thank you, Lord, for creating me, granting me life here on earth, and the hope of Life to come. Help me to live a life worthy.
Amen.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012The crucifix represents suffering on behalf of another… His, for us. It also represents saving grace… our redemption.
Jesus Christ was crucified on behalf of the world. Through His saving grace we are redeemed.
Don’t be fooled into thinking you can set Jesus aside, live a life of sin without any responsibility and still walk through the gates of heaven. Yes, He died to save you, but you must live in Him to be saved.
Jesus gave everything for you at the request of God, His Father, our Father, our Creator. He became man, was crucified, died, was buried, and rose up on the third day. He died to save us, He rose up to give us Life. He is the portal, the gate through which we must pass to enter Life Eternal. Live in Him; Live through Him. Give everything for Him as He did for you.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012Let us face it. Some sufferings are easier than others. We can suffer through something we don’t enjoy with relative ease because we know the outcome, know that it too shall pass and things will be back to normal. Sometimes we are very willing to take on suffering, whether it be out of love to help someone, or out of ego for the accolades we will receive. While these types of sufferings may be uncomfortable or even a pain in the neck, they are managed.
What about suffering that is unbearable, that we did not volunteer or ask for, that is long term and the outcome uncertain? What about watching loved ones suffer through something out of their control, out of our control? We all know those who bear great pain and suffering loudly, boorishly, and with great turmoil in their own lives and those who love them, but we also know those who bear great pain and suffering graciously, with great patience and great dignity. Both of these suffering types might have truly have great faith in God. The difference may be partially attributed to personality, but I believe it is due more to a lack of knowledge about suffering. When linked to our faith, linked to God in a personal manner, suffering takes on the form of grace in the soul.
Fr. Benedict Groeschel, a Catholic Priest widely seen on EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network). In 2004, Fr. Groeschel suffered severe injuries after being struck by an automobile in Orlando, Florida. With head injuries and broken bones, he experienced a 20 minute period where he had no blood pressure, heartbeat or pulse. Then, a few days later he suffered a trauma triggered heart attack that was nearly fatal. After months of recovery he was left with limited use of his right arm and difficulty in walking. Later that same year, he returned to preaching and giving retreats full time. He was quoted in the New York Times, fours years later: “They said I would never live. I lived. They said I would never think. I think. They said I would never walk. I walked. They said I would never dance, but I never danced anyway.”
The following is an excerpt from an interview given by Fr. Groeschel after the 2004 accident: “Bishop Sheen used to say that there is nothing worse than wasted suffering. And that is certainly true. I was taught by the sisters long ago in Catholic school to unite my sufferings, works, and prayers each day with Christ, and I continue to do that through the heart of Mary. It gave great meaning to me while I was in the hospital and idle, unable to work for the salvation of souls, to be able to offer the pains and the patience required by them as a prayer for the world.
“You have to be careful with suffering. One has to be careful not to enjoy it, or focus on it, or expand it too much. Then suffering becomes the goal. The goal is not suffering; the goal is loving patience, offered to God as best one can. And the humility to admit that we don’t do this very well. One of the things I learned from my illness is that over and over again we have to tell God that we really trust Him. Trusting in God is not one action; it’s an ongoing way of life.”
—Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R.
From an Ignatius Insight interview after his near-fatal accident in 2004.
Two things stand out to me. First is that suffering has a goal, which is loving patience. Through our suffering we learn to wait on God’s timing, to trust in His will. He doesn’t pretend that is easy, just desired as the goal to be obtained.
Second, is that we need humility to suffer graciously and with dignity. We must admit that we don’t cope perfectly with our suffering, that we sometimes fail, want to give up, or get mad at God for our suffering. We must admit it and humbly ask His forgiveness and help in overcoming it.
While some suffering is fleeting or short lived, and some is deeply felt and long lived, loving patience is the goal, and humility is the by product. When we unite our suffering to God, to the suffering of His Beloved Son on the Cross, we see beyond our suffering to His plan for our life. That plan has a goal also, Eternal Life with Him whose loving patience with us seeks only to draw us to Him. When we are able to suffer in union with Christ we are in full communion with Him. Life Eternal is our reward.
My heart goes out to all who suffer, whatever the cause. I pray the Lord will bless you through your suffering and draw you into a deeper fuller relationship with Him.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
The month of May is devoted to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and our Mother in heaven. As descendants of Eve, we too are banished from the Garden under the stain of original sin on our souls. Through Mary, who delivered to us our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are welcomed back. As any mother who loves her children, Mary will always intercede when asked and go to bat for us. She will take our hopes, desires, dreams, and prayers and present them in her loving hands to Jesus on our behalf. She is our loving advocate. Pray to Mary always, but also especially during the remainder of May. Seek her intercession for special intentions for yourself and those you love. And, as any son who has a good and loving relationship with his mother, Jesus will find it difficult, impossible to deny her requests.
Remember, Mary served as the portal for Jesus, God made man, to enter into our physical realm. Now, Mary serves as the portal for all of our prayers to enter the spiritual realm of the Sacred Heart of her Son, Jesus. Use her. Let Mary, the Holy Queen, be your personal advocate.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012“The power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine.” Ephesians 3:20
When I first began entering The Stillness I felt very awkward, almost timid with our Lord. After all, who was I that He would deign to come to me. I was but a speck of dust in the universe. Even so, the urge, the desire, to enter again and again was so strong that I could not stay away.
As time went on in my Journey Through The Stillness, His leading grew stronger too. I was able to connect with Him more easily, more fervently. His power was at work within me. And yes, He lead me in ways far more than I could ever ask or imagine.
Time in The Stillness has increased my faith, and my pressing need for a close relationship with Him remains ever strong. Through His power within I have found both courage and strength to share my journey publicly and invite others to join Him in The Stillness so they too can be lead on their own unique faith journey with Him.
If you have never tried being still before our Lord, take a moment to imagine yourself in Stillness before Him. Know that He will meet you there and it will be far greater than anything you imagined. First imagine. Invite Him into your heart then wait in the silence for Him. He has been there patiently waiting for you.
My prayer is that through Stillness our Lord will bring you to a closer and fuller relationship with Him.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012“When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” Romans 8:15-16
The last thing I say each time immediately before entering The Stillness is, “Yes, Lord, I will be still for You are my God.” In that response is a host of meaning. In that moment we are Creator and created, Father and daughter, Rabboni and student, Savior and sinner.
To go before the Lord and claim Him as your God you must be willing to relinquiah all control. You must praise Him and honor Him even when all seems lost to you. You must wait for His guidance and His anwers in all things. You must submit to His will for your life, and not just in the big things but also in the little things. This takes great patience with oneself, and while it sounds like an oxymoron, one must gain control of oneself to lose control to God.
Meet Him in the silence of your heart, in The Stillness, and wait on Him to guide you in your faith journey. Claim the Lord as your God and seek Him above all things. Your reward will be great.
“Visit me with Your grace, Lord. Come spiritually into my heart. Purify it. Sanctify it. Render it like unto Your own. Amen.” (taken from The Spiritual Communion)
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012Today’s post is a Stillness entry from May, 2010, a time prior to the start of Martha’s Oribtal Buzz…
May 19, 2010 – Today Jesus stands before me, his hands on my head. We are like this for some time when I realize my thoughts are creeping in as distractions. I say, “In your name and through your Sacred Heart within me, Jesus, I cast out the Devil now, and banish him from my thoughts.” Jesus says, “Yes, Martha, fight for it! Satan cannot come in as long as you are with Me. My hands are on you; how dare he even try!” I say, “Jesus, I WANT to be with YOU. I want to feel my heart aching within and to be on fire for love of You.” Then He says, “I can see when you are tired, Martha. Just rest in Me here. Be infused with the energy you need to continue on our journey.” And so, my heart is aching, my mind is quiet, and my body is still. I am with Him, just WITH Him. He knows my every need and fills me with Himself. Prayer: My Lord, and My God, infuse me with the Life of your Son, the Love of His Mother, Mary, and the Peace of your Holy Spirit flowing within, that I might be used by each for the fight against your most powerful enemy, Satan, in order that he be cast down and made to release those souls that You, in your infinite Mercy and Love, desire to bring home to The Father, that they might gain the grace of your salvation and live in union with you in eternal life, ever offering in praise that Glory and Honor that cannot be denied You, for thou art The Way, The Truth, and The Life. Amen.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012Lord, You are Comforter.
Forgive me, Lord, when I treat others through my narrow vision. Forgive me when I lack empathy, compassion, and mercy. Forgive me, Lord, when I fail to give the comfort that I am capable of, and expected by You to give.
Thank you, Lord, for knowing my limitations and shortcomings. Thank you, Lord, for loving me just the same.
Ask the Lord to show you today where you are failing as comforter. Ask Him to show you how to be more like Him.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012This is a newly edited previous post from January 3, 2011. For those of you who have an affinity, as I do, for the hymn Lord of The Dance!
“Then David danced with all his might before the Lord. He had on a holy linen vest. David and all the Israelites shouted with joy and blew trumpets as they brought the Ark of the Lord to the city.” 2 Samuel 6:14-15
On my Facebook page, and on the ‘About Me’ page on my website, you may have seen the following, “I also love beautiful art: the sound of fingers sliding across guitar strings; lyrics that make my heart sing, smile, cry, etc. and old movies. In my next life I want to dance!” In other words, I can be emotional, and I wear my heart on my sleeve. Beautiful imagery can deeply touch me, what can I say!
I mention these things because I am going to share a book, filled with just such beautiful imagery, that has had a profound effect on my spiritual journey. The book is entitled, “The Divine Embrace”, by Ken Gire. He is a favorite author of mine because over the years, several times, I have gone into a bookstore not knowing what I needed and the Lord unmistakably directed me to one of his books.
This particular book likens our spiritual journey to a dance, a dance with our Lord. I fell in love with the analogy when I read the following excerpt. “The Lord of the dance doesn’t want us worrying about our feet. He doesn’t want us wondering about the steps ahead. He merely wants us to feel the music, fall into his arms, and follow his lead.” Take a moment to reflect, to imagine it; dancing with our Lord!
Now continue reading, “There are places he wants to take us on the dance floor, things he wants to show us, feelings he wants to share with us, words he wants to whisper in our ear. This is what the divine embrace is –an invitation to a more intimate relationship with Christ, one exhilarating, ennobling, uncertain step at a time. We have a choice, you and I. And it’s a choice we make every day, throughout the day. The choice is this: We can dance. Or we can sit it out.”
Ken Gire goes on to talk about stepping on Jesus’ toes, or bumping into others on the floor, or making fools of ourselves. He discusses how we let our fears keep us off the dance floor and end up missing the dance. He then says, “There are two things I have learned from the divine embrace. That perfect love really does cast out fear. And that I would rather dance poorly with Jesus than sit perfectly with anyone else.” Oh my.
If you have followed along in my spiritual journey, you have seen me step out of my comfort zone many times. I have done so when I have been asked to dance! Each time I can honestly say I have ended up in His divine embrace. Most recently with this spiritual meditation/blog website. I can see the names of those who have joined in order to follow along, but with the exception of those who leave comments or click like, I do not know who or how many literally view my journal on a regular basis. It is not mine to know; God knows. It is not about me, but about Him. I can also say, no matter what pain, what cost; no matter what He has called me to do, I wouldn’t have missed the dance. And yes, I have stepped on His toes!
I would like to share one more excerpt. “… along the way we are given glimpses of the one we now love only from afar. Something happens to us in those moments. A shift in focus. … When we see Jesus, however briefly, however indistinctly, our hearts begin to ache. In that moment and because of that moment, we love him more, at least we long to. It is in those moments that we discover where the Lord of the Dance has been leading us all along –into a deeper love for him. … Jesus leads us in a dance that moves around his Father’s heart, in ever tighter circles, until at last we are so close to the love that is at the center of the universe that we feel it, every throbbing beat of it. And when that happens, the beating of his heart and the beating of ours become one.”
Hence, my “Journey Through The Stillness” and Martha’s Orbit and Orbital Buzz. And, I am still dancing in His divine embrace…
“Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.
And I’ll lead you all wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.”
(Hymn: Lord Of The Dance)
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012“Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters; They have seen the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; Their soul melted away in their misery. They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, and were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet, so He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!” Psalm 107:23-31
“Their soul melted away in their misery. They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, and were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the Lord…” As an artist the imagery of words often affects me in the same way an image on canvas might. I can think of no more descriptive way to describe someone in deep remorse, anguish, or grief, than to say ‘their soul melted away’.
We often turn to God in prayers of desperation in our hour of need, in that hour when we count all as lost. Even those who may not truly believe in the power of prayer still cry out to the Lord just in case, or because there is no one else to cry out to. God hears even those prayers.
Prayer is the most powerful weapon known to man. It is man’s direct communication line to God. It is through the prayers of mankind that many miracles occur. Miracles are the rays of grace that answers to prayer travel on.
If your soul is melting away in misery, cry out to the Lord in your time of need. Through the power of prayer your storms will be calmed, and through miraculous rays of grace you will be guided to your haven. Then, in joy, give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness.
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