Ash Wednesday

Day 1 -

In today's liturgical readings, the Church, reminds me of the three pillars of Lent:
1) Almsgiving
2) Fasting
3) Prayer
Of course they would be the three things I have most difficulty with, but with God's grace nothing is impossible!

During my lunch break I went to a local parish and visited Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
I asked the Lord to grant me a spiritual map to use as a guide during my Lenten journey, the map I received consisted of seven mountains --
Mountain number 1: pray the sorrowful mysteries each day.
Mountain number 2: make the stations of the cross.
Mountain number 3: read the Passion narrative from the Gospels.
Mountain number 4: have St. Alphonsus Ligouri be my guide.
Mountain number 5: Live in the present moment, not in the past and not in the future.
Mountain number 6: Have a special devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows.
Mountain number 7: Make a good examination of conscience every night.

So there you have it. My spiritual map for Lent.
More to follow...

40 days of Lent with Brian

Spiritual Fragments --

For the next 40 days, starting tomorrow - February 17th - Ash Wednesday - I will daily jot down reflections, spiritual insights, happenings and everything in between about my spiritual journey through the season of Lent.

God bless and see you tomorrow!

The Spiritual Combat

In our darkening and immoral society, Catholics must understand that they are in a war! This war, which began in Bethlehem when the Eternal Word became flesh and will end when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords returns with the Heavenly Host to judge the nations, pits the army of satan against the army of Our Heavenly Mother.

The question that each Catholic is confronted with at the beginning of this New Year is: What banner do you wish to fight under? The banner of the Immaculate Heart or the black banner with skull, crossbones and pitchfork.

Each one of us must decide! Not to decide is playing into the hands of the enemy.

Make this New Year a Holy Year! If you are a prisoner of war, wounded by serious sin, go to confession and once again take up the banner of Our Lady's Immaculate Heart. If you are a faithful soldier, keep fighting the good fight and remain in a state of grace. Souls depend upon it!

Happy New Year!

God bless,

Brian.

A New Year with the Mother of God

Mary Most Holy

Reflection:

Holy Mother of God

My Mother

My Love

Fair and Pure

We pray to Thee:

Guide us this New Year

Lead us to Thy Son

Deliver us from all evil!

Strengthen us in faith, hope and charity

Make us into Living Flames of Love

Mother we love you!

Amen

Merry Christmas

I want to wish all my brothers and sisters in Christ a Merry Christmas!
Please don't forget amongst all the gift giving, eating and happiness this day brings, that the real meaning of Christmas is Jesus Christ!

Why did Jesus enter time and take on human nature? Three words - God loves us!

Merry Christmas!
God bless,

Brian.

A Christmas Reflection

Eternal Word of the Father
Heavenly Light dispelling all darkness and gloom
Come, Come and enter our hearts

Holy baby of Bethlehem
God with us!
Pure and undefiled
Love Incarnate

We worship You!
We praise You!
We adore You!

Little One, lying in a manger
Poor and humble
Have mercy on us!

Baby Jesus, Son of Mary
Conquer our richness with Your Holy Poverty
Conquer our pride with Your Holy Humility

Light of the world
On Christmas Day
clothe us with peace, joy and hope!

Amen.

I'm back. More posts to come...