Peace Prayer

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Martha

Andrea_Previtali_-_Salvator_Mundi_-_Google_Art_ProjectWorld peace begins in the heart of each and every one of us. In honor of our beloved Saint Francis, let us pray in His words:

Lord make me
an instrument of your peace

Where there is hatred,
Let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, Joy.

O Divine Master grant that I may
Not so much seek to be consoled
As to console;
To be understood,
As to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying that we are
Born to eternal life.

Amen

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Affirmation Grace

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Martha

“Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:38

     Some of us use positive statements, sometimes called affirmations, to help bolster our attitudes. When our mind is filled with positive messages it is easier to disregard the negative messages that we are often bombarded with. When put to good use, positive affirmations can alter lives for the better.

On May 8, 2010, in my time of Stillness before Our Lord, I was compelled to write the following definition of affirmations: “Affirmations are to make one pause and think; to pull one from the clutches of temptation; to bring one into the grace of the moment; to help one to be conscious of failings and to grow in desire to do good.”

When taken separately, each part of the definition truly puts the use of affirmations into perfect perspective.

To pause and think – During the course of our day there are many times when we should pause and think before we speak or act. A good example of an affirmation to use is this one from Journey Through The Stillness: When you judge others, I must judge you. (3/1/11) Write it on a sticky note and put it on the dash of your car, on your computer or in a drawer you open frequently at work, or mentally paste it in your mind. Read it, think of it, before you speak or act; pause and think.

To pull one from the clutches of temptation – I know there are multiple occasions every single day where I need to be pulled from the clutches of temptation. Having an affirmation ready in my mind to repeat over and over to myself can stop me in my tracks and save me from the evil of the sin I am about to commit. This one from Journey Through The Stillness can bring me quickly back to reality: They have pierced my hands and my feet; they have numbered all my bones. (3/5/11) When I say this stirring line from A Prayer Before A Crucifix, and have the image of Jesus on The Cross in my mind, I find myself humbled and no longer desiring to succumb to the temptation. I do not want to add even one more of my sins to the weight of His cross, to His pain and suffering.

To bring one into the grace of the moment – Sometimes we feel more like complaining than rejoicing. In our complaining we may miss out on the truly good parts of the situation, we may miss out on the grace of the moment. I love this affirmation, again from Journey Through The Stillness: Hear Me. I love you exactly as you are. (1/22/11) When a situation turns sour, or we find ourselves doubting, it is good to know He loves exactly as we are, and in reality, His is the only opinion that counts!

To help one to be conscious of failing and to grow in desire to do good –This final affirmation is a matter of self evaluation, of becoming aware of the times we fall short and strengthening our resolve to do better. As we go forward we ask Him to come with us, we ask His guidance: Heart of Jesus, lead me in what is mine to do. (3/23/11) Knowing He is there to guide us to what is our true calling can make all the difference in the world.

     A recent affirmation given to me in The Stillness:  “I am strong, for The One who has conquered sin and death is IN me.”  I wrote it on a sticky note and placed it in my car to serve as a personal reminder, a note from God.

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Consecrate Oneself To The Sacred Heart

Posted on August 29, 2013 by Martha

140px-Jesus_is_taken_down_from_the_Cross_002     In another post I once shared a beautiful prayer of consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus that I pray each morning.  Today I am sharing a sort of companion prayer that I also pray each morning.  The prayer shared in the earlier post was more about consecrating myself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This prayer does that too, but is more about consecrating others to Him, most especially those who do not know Him, or those who choose to remain apart from Him. The final line of this prayer has always been one that can move me to tears. It has to do with the word ‘wrought’, which I also wrote about in a previous post. When I imagine what it meant that He wrought our salvation I long to comfort Him with my tears and worship at His feet.

     If you are lost for whatever reason; if you are separated from God in any way, this prayer is for you. It is offered up by me for you daily. Pray it daily for yourself and those you love. Contemplate on all that it means. If you give yourself over to Him, and also lift others up to Him, then surely you will be found. I know. And, may God Bless each of you.

     “Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon me humbly prostrate before Thy altar.  I am Thine, and Thine I wish to be; but to be more surely united with Thee, behold, I freely consecrate myself today to Thy most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known Thee; many too, despising Thy precepts, have rejected Thee.  Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart.  Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken Thee, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned Thee.  Grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.  Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.  Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise be to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to It be glory and honor forever.  Amen.”

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In The Name Of The Lord

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Martha

140px-Christ_the_Alpha_and_Omega_001There exists a beautiful prayer entitled The Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus Christ.  While authorship is unknown, most attribute it to Saints Bernadine of Siena and John Capistran of the early 15th century.  Its beauty soaks into the soul when prayed slowly and deliberately, meditating on the meaning of each name and asking for mercy and deliverance.  I highlighted a few of my favorite of His Holy Names.  I am sure there will be some which strike a chord in you. Enjoy!

The Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus Christ

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Jesus, hear us.
Jesus, 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.

Jesus, Son of the living God,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Splendor of the Father,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Brightness of eternal Light,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, King of Glory,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Sun of Justice,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, most amiable,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, most admirable,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, the mighty God,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Father of the world to come,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Angel of great counsel,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, most powerful,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, most patient,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, most obedient,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Lover of Chastity,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, our Lover,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, God of Peace,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Author of Life,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Model of Virtues,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, zealous for souls,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, our God,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, our Refuge,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Father of the Poor,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Treasure of the Faithful,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, good Shepherd,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, true Light,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, eternal Wisdom,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, infinite Goodness,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, our Way and our Life,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, joy of the Angels,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, King of the Patriarchs,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Master of the Apostles,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Teacher of the Evangelists,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Strength of Martyrs,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Light of Confessors,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Purity of Virgins,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Crown of all Saints,
have mercy on us.

Be merciful, spare us, O Jesus!
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Jesus!

From all evil,
deliver us, O Jesus.
From all sin, etc.
From Thy wrath,
From the snares of the devil,
From the spirit of fornication,
From everlasting death,
From the neglect of Thine inspirations,

Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation,
deliver us, O Jesus.
Through Thine Nativity, etc.
Through Thy Infancy,
Through Thy most Divine Life,
Through your Labors,
Through Thine Agony and Passion,
Through Thine Cross and Dereliction,
Through Thine Sufferings,
Through Thy Death and Burial,
Through Thine Resurrection,
Through Thine Ascension,
Through Thine Institution of the Most Holy Eucharist,
Through Thy Joys,
Through Thy Glory,

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Jesus!
Lamb of God, Who takeest away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Jesus!
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us, O Jesus!

Jesus, hear us.
Jesus, graciously hear us.

Let Us Pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou has said, “Ask and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” mercifully attend to our supplications, and grant us the grace of Thy divine charity, that we may ever love Thee with our whole heart, and with all our words and deeds, and may never cease from praising Thee.

Make us, O Lord, to have a perpetual fear and love of Thy Holy Name, for Thou doth never fails to govern those whom Thou solidly establishest in Thy love. Thou, Who livest and reignest forever and ever.
Amen.

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Prayer: Sacred Heart Offering

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Martha

charles-bosseron-chambers-sacred-heart-of-jesusPrayer:  O, Jesus, let this aching of your Most Sacred Heart within serve to humble me.  And, by my offering up to you all that I am, all that I do, and all that I pray this day, may all those souls who do not even hear your knock at least turn and glance in your direction; that You, in your unfathomable, tender love can enfold them in your everlasting Divine Mercy and bestow upon them the Grace of your salvation.  I ask this, Jesus, through your most merciful and loving Sacred Heart.  Amen.   (March 25, 2010 – Journey Through The Stillness, written by Martha Wiggins)

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On Prayer

Posted on August 26, 2013 by Martha

“God speaks in the silence of the heart, and we listen. And then we speak to God from the fullness of our heart, and God listens. And this listening and this speaking is what prayer is meant to be….”  (Mother Teresa)

     Humility is born in the silence of our heart as we hear God and receive His fullness of grace.  From this fullness of grace, from humility, we offer ourselves to our Creator.  In humble prayer we admit that we know nothing, can do nothing, and are nothing, without the fullness of grace imparted to us by Him in the silence of our heart.  It is a bit of a round-robin isn’t it?  Yet, in the beginning is silence.  Nothing is required of us but silence of the heart.  God makes it so simple for us to come to Him, to hear His voice, and then to respond.  It can be just as simple as Mother Teresa states.  Our silence, His speaking, and our response: prayer in its most natural and basic form.  A beautifully simple way to become meek and humble of heart.

Prayer: “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.”

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Lord, You Are Humility

Posted on August 23, 2013 by Martha

460px-Fra_Angelico_-_Crucifixion_with_the_Virgin,_Mary_Magdalene_and_St_Dominic_(Cell_25)_-_WGA00547Lord, You are Humility.

Forgive me, Lord, when I hold onto hurt, anger, ill-will, jealousy, and envy.  Forgive me when my pride and vanity feed my sinful characteristics.

Humble me, Lord, and through your Sacred Heart within me, help me to overcome my many flaws.

Thank you, Lord, for your many examples of self-sacrifice and humility to serve as witness to all. 

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The Perfect Outfit

Posted on August 22, 2013 by Martha
Inside the Pantheon at the tomb of the famours artist Raphael is The Madonna del Sasso, by Lorenzetto, a student of Raphael. Photo taken in 2011 by Martha Wiggins.

Inside the Pantheon at the tomb of the famours artist Raphael is The Madonna del Sasso, by Lorenzetto, a student of Raphael. Photo taken in 2011 by Martha Wiggins.

 “You are God’s chosen people.  You are holy and clearly loved.  So put on tender mercy and kindness as if they were your clothes.  Don’t be proud.  Be gentle and patient.  Put up with each other.  Forgive the things you are holding against one another.  Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you.  And over all of those good things put on love.  Love holds them all together perfectly as if they were one.”  Colossians 3:12-14

     If mercy and kindness, along with gentleness and patience, are your clothes, then love is your belt cinched around the middle.  It is what makes all the pieces combine into one outfit.  It is just the right outfit to go out and meet the day!  Yet having the perfect clothes, and even having love to complete our outfit, does not insure that everything will go our way or come easy.    There is still the issue of forgiveness.  We still must forgive others as we have been forgiven.  However, being wrapped in mercy, kindness, gentleness and patience is certainly a step in the right direction.  The key is to remember that we are loved and forgiven by our God.  We are His chosen people bound together in love.  Forgiveness is born in love.

     Clothe yourself as one who is both chosen and forgiven.  Wrap yourself in love and make it a good day!

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Measure Of Success

Posted on August 21, 2013 by Martha
Colosseum, Rome

Colosseum, Rome, Italy, 2011, taken by Martha Wiggins

“The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man.  And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian.  Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.”  Genesis 39:2-3

God Calling, A.J. Russell, October 29th entry:  “Your success is the measure of My Will and Mind that you have revealed to those around you.  Your success is the measure of My Will that those around you have seen worked out in your lives.”

     Favorable result, or the gaining of wealth, fame, etc. is how Webster’s New World Dictionary defines the word success.  It is also how the world defines success.  As believers we are not to be of this world.  We might have a presence in this world but our real life is of the next world; it is of His World.

     We all want to be known as a ‘good’ person, or someone whom others see as worthwhile.  We dress and act in certain ways in order to be counted ‘in’ and not ruled out as weird, or unpopular.  This, however, has nothing to do with the type of success Jesus would have us achieve.  Besides progress for our own soul, He measures our success by how it affects others.  He calls on us to be a witness for him through both our words and our actions.  He wants us to be known as His.

     How do you measure success?  Take a good look today at how your words and actions affect those around you.  Will they know by them that you are a believer, a follower of Jesus, or will they just think you are a good person?  Do others see that you act according to God’s will?  You may very well be a work in progress, but remember, He does not need perfection.  What He needs is effort in His name so that others too will benefit from seeing His will worked out in your life.

 

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The Time Is Now!

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Martha

3c20016r Library of Congress Sacred Heart Image“You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep.”  Romans 13:11

     Are you a clock watcher?  Do you watch it constantly, checking to see how much time has gone by, but yet when asked, you can’t tell someone what time it is?  Watch the clock and miss your life!

     The time is now; not in five minutes, five days, five weeks, or five years.  The time is now to live your life as the creation of God you are.  God created you to live, not to watch a clock.

     None of us know how much time we have to be here on earth, how much time we have to live.  The clock was created by man.  God created life.  Life is time.  That bears repeating.  God did not create time, but rather, He created life.  The passing of time is the passing of life.

     Our life here on earth is a journey back to God.  To help us on our journey, God gave us His only Son, Jesus Christ to show us the way, and to bring us home to Him.  If you have not yet found Jesus and let Him into your life, stop watching the clock, for the time is now.  Wake up; seek Him, become one in flesh with Him, and let Him show you the way home.

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