Coming to the tomb of Jesus that first Easter morning, the
women discovered an angel there, the rock rolled away. It was a
shocking and unexpected sight. The guards, who were there to
This is the power of
the cross for the follower
of Christ, no matter
what happens to us or can
happen to us we are not
defeated.
make sure that the disciples did not steal the body of the Lord,
were also witnesses to this. They were overcome with fear—to the
point of being “like dead men.”
One experience, two groups of people, two different reactions.
One group looks at the empty tomb and rushes to tell what
they have witnessed. The other group is paralyzed by the life
event. This wasn’t just something that happened thousands of
years ago; it happens every moment of every day. Those who see
the cross as the end of their life, meet death there; those who
believe and place their trust in God, find in the cross life and victory.
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Easter Mediation
Sunday, March 27, 2016
A Meeting with Mother Angelica
This actually happened about three weeks ago, not sure how I missed it. Father Benedict Groeschel was in Alabama filming some episodes and spent one day in Hanceville where he met with Mother Angelica. Here is his account:
In other Father Groeschel news, please check my post below about a new book and how you can contribute to it by asking your questions about the spiritual life.
This past week I had the great blessing of visiting with Mother Angelica at
the shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama. After visiting
the marvelously beautiful shrine, we met Mother at the room with the grill
dividing the cloistered sisters from the visitors.
Mother was in
great form; she laughed a great deal and was able to communicate, even at times
in complete sentences. She has done the miraculous work of establishing the
largest religious television network in the world. She has also established a
cloistered convent, which now numbers over thirty sisters—most of them young.
The convent also has two other foundations. She also established the Franciscan
Missionaries of the Eternal Word with over twenty-five friars. You may have had
the opportunity to read Raymond Arroyo’s book on Mother Angelica. You would
really enjoy this book.
I offered Mass at the shrine in the
morning and left for a busy day of television at EWTN in Irondale, Alabama. I
was accompanied on this journey by a volunteer, Timothy Pida, who has worked for
years for the Missionaries of Charity and has very generously helped me for the
better part of this year. We both came away with a profound sense of gratitude
for all that EWTN does for souls and for the church, and also grateful that we
had spent this precious time with this great woman.
In other Father Groeschel news, please check my post below about a new book and how you can contribute to it by asking your questions about the spiritual life.
Easter Meditation
Coming to the tomb of Jesus that first Easter morning, the
women discovered an angel there, the rock rolled away. It was a
shocking and unexpected sight. The guards, who were there to
This is the power of
the cross for the follower
of Christ, no matter
what happens to us or can
happen to us we are not
defeated.
make sure that the disciples did not steal the body of the Lord,
were also witnesses to this. They were overcome with fear—to the
point of being “like dead men.”
One experience, two groups of people, two different reactions.
One group looks at the empty tomb and rushes to tell what
they have witnessed. The other group is paralyzed by the life
event. This wasn’t just something that happened thousands of
years ago; it happens every moment of every day. Those who see
the cross as the end of their life, meet death there; those who
believe and place their trust in God, find in the cross life and victory.
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Confession during Holy Week.
It's common to go to Confession during Holy Week. If you need a refresher... For a brief, pointed and helpful guide,
All of Michael Dubruiel's books listed on Amazon.
The Power of the Cross free download and audio files.
The New Version of the Stations of the Cross link
All of Michael Dubruiel's books listed on Amazon.
The Power of the Cross free download and audio files.
The New Version of the Stations of the Cross link
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Holy Week Reflection
When St. Peter heard that Jesus was going somewhere, he wanted
to follow the Lord. Jesus refused, and told the apostle that he
would follow later. Peter protested: He was willing to lay down
his life for Jesus (again something that he ultimately would do
later). Then Jesus dropped a bombshell: That very night, Peter
would deny him three times.
The final battle to following Jesus is the battle of self. No matter
how pure our motives may seem, until we trust in God more
than we trust in ourselves, we are doomed to fail. To truly follow
Jesus, we must unite ourselves with him and trust him totally.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Holy Week Meditation by Michael Dubruiel
St. Paul tells us that we are to “cast off the works of darkness
and put on the armor of light”—we are to conduct ourselves as
people of light. Too often people try to escape or reject their cross;
they flee to the darkness, escape in alcohol or sex, or immerse
themselves in anger, all because things have not gone their way.
Without the grace of God, this is our fate as well. Yet when we
are handed a cross, if we abandon ourselves and trust in God as
Christ did, what seems like defeat is in fact a victory! The evil that
is done to us, God can mold into good. Then we can sing
Hosanna to God in the highest, because the light of God will live
in us and we will see everything in his light.
Monday, March 21, 2016
Gift for a new Catholic
The How to Book of the Mass by Michael Dubruiel would be an excellent resource for your RCIA sessions.
In this complete guide you get:
- step-by-step guidelines to walk you through the Mass
- the Biblical roots of the various parts of the Mass and the very prayers themselves
- helpful hints and insights from the Tradition of the Church
- aids in overcoming distractions at Mass
- ways to make every Mass a way to grow in your relationship with Jesus
- Bless yourself
- Make the Sign of the Cross
- Genuflect
- Pray before Mass
- Join in Singing the Opening Hymn
- Be penitential
- Listen to the Scriptures
- Hear a Great Homily Everytime
- Intercede for others
- Be a Good Steward
- Give Thanks to God
- Give the Sign of Peace
- Receive the Eucharist
- Receive a Blessing
- Evangelize Others
- Get something Out of Every Mass You Attend
Find more about The How to Book of the Mass here.
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