Selfishness

Donald trump is no savior. He only responds to the possibility of getting something he wants. He has been indicted several times and has hurt people, even raping or molesting them. He doesn't care  if it is possible to get an abortion or not as long as he gets what he wants for himself. Those who voted for him in order to change the law about abortion was tragically wasted. Similalrly, those who are opposed to homosexuality and gay marriage in particularl, will find he hates homosexuals and would hunt them down if he got the chance.

The only thing trump responds to is what he wants, and he will spare no expense to get it, and will say or do anything that will get him what he wants.

Cares

God cares for His children and clothes them in life
and well being.

 It is not difficult to be stunned to silence. Events can freeze us where we stand. It tests what we believe by forcing us to do something, or to admit a truth.

One of my passtimes is watching historical videos about world war 2, and fantasy films like Harry Potter. While some condemn the Harry Potter series, I find that there is a strong current of good versus evil, which is a good thing, I think; if we can see events for what they were, history has a way of repeating irself, which can give us opportunities to take certain actions.

Human ingenuity alters the equation of how time resolves; we can't know how things will change, though we may be quick to pick up on possibilities

People can no longer doubt that changes in the climate have rendered weather forcasts difficult to make. That makes violence in nature very unexpected and if no advance warning is heard, then people die in floods, earthquakes and violent volcanic eruptions. While that list of events is by no means inclusive of everything adverse, it is already close enough.

The bodies discovered at Pompeii  were all that remained after the explosive eruption of Vesuvius volcano, in Italy. So many lives were cut short, and plaster poured into the ash rendered a solid image of the final agonising experience of the inhabitants of Popmpeii.

When ash was removed from parts of Pompeii, frescoes and mosaics appeared, perfectly preserved by the burning cataclysm. People's work was disclosed, the bread baked, and the decorations of the dwellings of the time.

At least some thought should be evoked in encountering these things. Our time is by no means without evidence of sudden and unforeseen catastrophes. People carry on having babies, raising children and working toward retirement and ultimately, passing from this life to the next.

If a person prays their Rosary, they can ponder the meaning of the associated mysteries, and find the comfort nothing else can give. We should ask to be forgiven our sins and we should make atonement for them. Certainly, we should also remember those who have gone before us and encountered the  justice of God. Every sin must be atoned in some way, and an important way is to recall those who have passed on in our prayers, asking for the forgiveness of their sins.

It is certain that none of us will have the excuse "I didn't have time to atone". Sins are committed almost casually, as if there were no consequences. Even priests and bishops nuns and monks must account for their lives before God.

The tragic events of history stand before us as witnesses and admonitions;  such things as the Boxing Day tsunami, and the fire-bombing of Dresden and the use of the first atomic weapon stand demanding explanations and ackowledgments.

"Oh my Jesus, forgive them their sins, be merciful to them and bring them home to you, in your great mercy"; a prayer given me by the Lord. It is a short and simple prayer we can repeat whenever we hear a fire engine or an aid car driving by with their sirens blaring. Then too, when we see the news on the internet or on a tv, we can pray for those who died in catastrophes. Whenever we feel ourselves becoming ill or sudden fear invades our heart, we can make the sign of the cross, and experience the Lord giving us His peace.

In the Rosary we can include the prayer, "Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven."

We shold pray that the Lord prevent a nuclear exchange, and act to quell wars and disputes that can lead to deaths of millions.

The Lord does not demand the impossible; He gives all the grace and knowledge necessary to be safe and to remain close to Him in time of trial, suffering and terror. Those who perpetrate terror will suffer for it. Those who overthrow governments and foment wars will be punished for it, because God is just, and such things will be accounted for.

Seeing

What did you come out into the desert to see,
a reed shaken in the wind? But what did you come out to see?
I know what you saw, and I recall your reaction to what you saw.
Together we are closer to God for what we saw in all we suffered.

Dear God it does hurt so.

t dawned on me, when I pulled my cross from out from under my shirt and I realized there is no one to see it except me; the whole purpose of wearing the habit is to be SEEN.  To be seen  loving, praying and being absorbed utterly into God and His bliss. That was the whole purpose from the beginning. That things went bad from there, is an understatement, and I did not react well.

 But I understood very well, God's purposes in the matter. Those whom I approached were charged by the Church with shepherding His flock, not manipulating and maneuvering people into suffering and humiliation, but that was their will, and they pressed their advantage; I could do nothing but kneel before St. Therese's statue in the dark cathedral, and beg for peace and a little consolation to dull the pain.

They got what they wanted. What happened to them subsequently I will never know. But it hurt; whether it hurt badly enough to constitute reparation of sins, I don't know. My place is more or less quiet and peacful, and there is little else to do but enter into the suffering and submit to God. I have been submitting now for over ten years. Whatever they were afraid of, by now has dwindled away. I was an amusing anecdote.

I got s place to live, auiet in which to be before God, and occasionally, the bliss of being absorbed into Him when I wasn't suspecting it. What they got, I don't really know, but from their remarks, I can only gather that they did not have peace in which to be enclosed and enraptured, and their use of drugs to combat their illness, or their use of alcohol, pretty much states the obvious.

Things should not forever be being dragged up to humiliate me over and over again, but since it is so searingly successful to torment me can only mean it was significant to God Himself. But atonement implies a certain participation, and that makes me happy; that I sensed the urge to approach to the Cross over and over again, asking for the brandedness implied can only speak to His willingness to enter with me. That I hurt, was simple enough, but that I hurt for a decent purpose drew me up into bliss before hIm, and likely always will.

How, I am not certain, but I will be seen. Many times, wearing street clothes only, people have approached me as if I were a religious, even with my cross tucked safely out of sight. The cross is not a source of shame to anyone who loves and realizes that the essence of love is a pain that can't be borne, and the bearing of which is an unbearable weight of blessedness.

My eyes have looked upon God, and He has not allowed me to be killed. For a long time after I returned to the States from 'Nam, I bore a burden for all who were wounded and killed in that country. That I am often reminded over and over again of scenes from the place, tells me He is not finished with me yet, and with all I undertook while I was there. Now I am free. My continuing participation in the cross is a consequence of love; a pure and purging love that brings freedom to all those for whom I bear it. I was not nailed to the cross to the extent that my hands and feet and side or any other part of me exuded a single drop of blood. All that shedding of blood is unseen, and unseeable. For my part, I continue to hope I may stand beside Him on the last day without taint of any sin, and able to see His Face and embrace Him without obstacle.

In The Odor of Sanctity

 In describing that, Laurentin and Corteville inform us that the visionary, who passed in her seventies (long after her fellow other seer, Maximin Giraud), had stigmata and–did Melanie, who so many found controversial–“died in the odor of sanctity”!

How is it one person can prevent honoring someone eho obviouslly exhibits such signs universally recognised? Ego is a terrible adversary for the just.

In the odor of sanctity

The strength of human custom is so great, that even supreme good can be stymied by ordinary human beings, and God help those who do. I suggest that such a thing is unforgiveable. On the other hand, people regularly pain the Immaculate Heart, that replica of the Sacred Heart which implores us so often and in so many ways, to love Her and never stray from beneath Her mantle of protection. They do so with impunity, and a feeling of immunity from punishment because She has not been shown to punish anyone.

They do so with the conviction they have done right, even as they see Her children's lives cut short by evil. They do it anyway.

That is why the answer to the reality is the Rosary, which She has told us time and again is our sheild and our refuge against evil. We may still see it, and still see the grief that evil has perpetrated, but never have we seen that the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart will be overcome except in the pain of grief as She watches Her children suffer. Make no mistake, if She suffers, so do we and so does Jesus. For the abominable sin of not caring and of inflicting that pain, there can scarcely be forgiveness. Yet, if She chooses to forgive, then no one can gainsay Her.

Accordingly, we may say the Rosary, and there is ample opportunity to pray for the conversion of sinners, and to make reparation for the pain of piercing of the Immaculate Heart. I specifically encourage everyone who recites the Rosary faithfully each day, to offer the Rosary to console that Sorrowful Heart which is daily offended countless times. Still She comes to us and speaks to us, piercing the veil of unbelief. We may pray for the forgiveness of sins, but we ought to also offer our sufferings as a gift to the Mother of God as our caresses and consolations meant soley for Her. Our life may scarcely have meaning, as we are so small in the scheme of things, but we are not so small that Mary cannot see us or not know we exist.

We ought to approach God and His Mother in the deepest humility, realizing the perils of our position in the world. We  ought to plead to be forgiven so that there is nothing to prevent us from growing closer to them. 

If we can but be a tiny votive light in the immense darkness about us, then we can be lost in God, and engulfed in His Sacred Heart and that Sorrowful Heart who is His Mother. How much comfort ought we to receive by steadfastly burning with a shining love. Let us desire to be comfort for our brothers and sisters, especially those in endless suffering, and for Jesus and Mary. Let us stand beside the cross and be engulfed in His passion to the extent we can, and love with all  our ability to love, so that in the end, love blots out the memory of pain and evil. Then our neighbors might see too and be encompassed by it. Our particpation is always increased if He finds us worthy to stand where we are. 

Prayer intentions:

Peace and not war in the world.

The  intention of the Holy Father and priests.

The relief of the suffering of our brothers whom we see suffering.
The healing of our planet.

The forgiveness of sins and reparation for them so that offenders may atone for the sorrow they have caused Jesus and Mary.
That  priests live in peace, forgiven their sins and loving to forgive the sins of sinners.

That all who do not believe should be able to believe and to believe.

That those dying in sin might be forgiven and scape the sad sentence of hell.

For the intentions of souls in purgatory that they may be united at last with Jesus.

That in our last moments the angels surround us and protect us so that we arrive safely at the feet of Jesus and Mary and are welcomed into the eternal enjoyment of their company.

That God may be praised always and everywhere.

Greeting

 On this hallowed day before the feast of all saints, let us give thanks to God for all the countless unknown saints with the joy of all the saints we know !

Let us give thanks to the Lord for all His bounty.

God bless you all,
Sincerely,
Brother Michael of the Cross
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Appearances

 

Child Stigmatic

I never dreamed such a thing possible. Yet, there are many things I find difficult to get my mind around.

It humbles me, as it should. To think of how it is possible to penetrate the scalp with thorns, or pierce the hands and feet with nails, and the side with a sharp lance is the height of the inconceivable. If any one doubts the Lord, they are on dangerous footing, the ground teetering on the brink of a landslide.

Repent now, and save the suffering of hell, or even purgatory. In other words, stop doing what displeases God. Stop sinning, and give the innocent a rest. It is unsettling to realize how our sins must be forgiven, and the Lord afflicts the innocent in order to make reparation for other people's sins. 

It is as if we all have been nailing other people to the cross without realizing, but there it is.

He realizes that we are unaware. The very existance of heaven hell are hidden and invisible to nearly everyone, except the few to whom He reveals such realities.

Certainly, if we saw hidden realities, it must make in indelible impression on the soul. Anyone who who saw Saint Bernadette during an apparition said that it appeared as if she were in Heaven, utterly transformed by the beautiful vision of the Blessed Mother, and the glory of Heaven.

Bernadette,  like many of her age, was subject to tuberculosis, which settled into one of her legs, in the bone, where it caused excruciating pain, which she tried hard not to show to anyone else. But she was a sister, a nun, in a convent, and the truth would not be hidden, and it was the occasion of a conversion of one of the nuns who had been persecuting Bernadette.

That nun repented when she realized she had been persecuting Bernadette, and became Bernadette's helper until her death.

I shudder to think of everyone laid low by the chastisement, considering the nature of the event. Then everyone will know, and see. People will repent and change the course of their lives. After having once seen Our Lady, those to whom She appeared were never the same.

Exactly what the chastisement will be is hard to make out, although in part it will be a destructive even that will strike the whole earth at the same time, similar to previous catastrophes, but impossible to deny or ignore by the most petulant denier of the faith. All will come to faith, and to some it will be the most traumatic event in their life; they will not be the same afterward. Some will even die from the rigours of the event. Thus, the whole earth, and all of every person on earht, will know the truth, that Jesus is Lord and is present always and everywhere. How I wish sometimes that Heaven would be revealed to everyone, as well, and perhaps my ardent wish will be fulfilled.

But before that moment when so much will be reconciled, so much forgiven and so many confronted with the reality of Heaven and earth, that a great conversion of hearts of all people will take place. After that, whether the earth is a scorch and thrown-down ruin, the Lord will be visible and no one will want to offend Him again.

When they realize what He has done, everyone will be occupied witht he Will of God and illuminated by the great truth of who God is and what He has done for us who have sinned.

Sin a monstrous crime, but for the sake of our souls, its nature is hidden except to some to whom God wishes it not to be hidden. Thus some have been chosen to bear the wounds of Jesus, in the midst of the great hiddenness, while everyone else are occupied with the necessity of a next meal and a night's rest and sleep.

To be deprived of sleep is a great hardship in itselt. which is why so many are sleepless. God watches over everyone, especially those who suffer a particular way and offer it to God.

I remind you of simple facts because Heaven is built upon simple facts, thus the simplest among us understand in their own way, things others cannot be aware of.

Perhaps if we keep the vision of the passion of Jesus clearly in our minds, we can avoid the commission of sins and relieve the burden of the Lord who longs that we all be free of sin and standing at His side in bliss, like the St. Bernadette's of the world.

Exchange

 I have a lot to offer, as a human being, but it seems as if what I have to offer is not needed by anyone. While it is distressing to feel that way as a humn being, God does not enjoy feeling worthless any more than anyone else. It is a sign of our times, that it should be that way, but it is exactly that way.

If people are distressed by messages made by seers have spoken lately, they should meditate very deeply on that moment.

God will show Himself to anyone sincerely loving Him, and He is attracted by the good things we do, especially if it is unselfish and giving, because unselfishness and giving are precise definition of who and what God is.

God has been giving people warnings for a very long time. It was not His transgression that caused us to be expelled from Eden and to suffer death, it was us. That there have been so many wars ought wake us up. War seems to be something engrained in human beings as they are these days. It is equally true that little children do not engage in hate, wars, crimes or violence, it is grown up humans. 

So before the winter comes and the snow starts flying, let us plan to warm to God and bloom in loving Him, because the remedy for our sin is His love. The crucifixion is the starkest  expression of love God has ever made, and every sin pales before His love. 

My heart is open to saving souls and suffering for it, but only God can make it happen in a way that is not demeaning, though whatever happens to us as a result of our willingness to suffer so something meaningful can be offered God is likely going to be demeaning.And before we cry out against injustice, we should examine whether it is us or God that is being demeaned. I can tell you that in the comparison, it is God who has certainly been demeaned a thousand fold more than us.

There is nothing we can say meaningully than "My Lord I love Thee". Let our actions be our statement of love for Him. He tells us to love one another - we should love one another, not worry about reckoning ledgers of who transgressed us or how deeply they may have offended us. We are entirely too fixated on judgements against other people, otherwise war would be something unknown. 

If being so identified with Christ, I have bloody wounds, then so be it; let me be humiliated and my feelings hurt, if that is something efficacious to heal the wounds of the world. Love one another, and you need not be afraid of chastisements. If there is to be a "rapture", know that it is those left behind who may offer something even more precious and substantial toward God, and offer a sacrifice that may truly be worthy. Unselfishness allows God to draw close to us, while selfishness does the opposite.

Let us be more aware of the exchange of our love with God and His love with us.