“Fill your heart with joy and peace with this prayer of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross —Aleteia”

As you look toward the future, turn to Edith Stein and this prayer she wrote.

continue…..

Please support my sister in Carmel, artist, Teresa Satola, ocds

O my God, fill my soul with holy joy, courage and strength to serve You. Enkindle Your love in me and then walk with me along the next stretch of road before me. I do not see very far ahead, but when I have arrived where the horizon now closes down, a new prospect will open before me and I shall meet with peace.

Lord help me to become more like St. Simon of Cyrene, that I may bear another’s cross in my acts of kindness and prayers. Guide me that I may always unite my own cross and suffers to your HOLY will.

5th Station of the Cross – Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the Cross –

_{From the Gospel according to Matthew (27:32; 16:24)
As they went out, they came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; this man they compelled to carry his cross. Jesus told his disciples, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.}

_{Meditation
Simon of Cyrene is on his way home, returning from work, when he comes upon the sad procession of those condemned – for him, perhaps, it was a common sight. The soldiers force this rugged man from the country to carry the Cross on his own shoulders. How annoying he must have thought it to be suddenly caught up in the fate of those condemned men! He does what he must do, but reluctantly. Significantly, the Evangelist Mark does not only name him, but also his children, who were evidently known as Christians and as members of that community. From this chance encounter, faith was born. The Cyrenian, walking beside Jesus and sharing the burden of the Cross, came to see that it was a grace to be able to accompany him to his crucifixion and to help him. The mystery of Jesus, silent and suffering, touched his heart. Jesus, whose divine love alone can redeem all humanity, wants us to share his Cross so that we can complete what is still lacking in his suffering. Whenever we show kindness to the suffering, the persecuted and defenceless, and share in their sufferings, we help to carry that same Cross of Jesus. In this way we obtain salvation, and help contribute to the salvation of the world.}

_{Prayer
Lord, you opened the eyes and heart of Simon of Cyrene, and you gave him, by his share in your Cross, the grace of faith. Help us to aid our neighbours in need, even when this interferes with our own plans and desires. Help us to realize that it is a grace to be able to share the cross of others and, in this way, know that we are walking with you along the way. Help us to appreciate with joy that, when we share in your suffering and the sufferings of this world, we become servants of salvation and are able to help build up your Body, the Church.}

_{Our Father … Is there one who would not weep, whelmed in miseries so deep, Christ’s dear Mother to behold?}

(Google Image obtained from a church in Dublin Ireland link broken)

Good morning, I would like to share that I am a member of the Order of Discalced Carmelites Secular. I must admit I have not been perfect in this calling, it has not been an easy journey, it has come with many crosses, yet the call has brought forth so many spiritual fruits like the Apostolate of Hannah’s Tears and many more, somehow, I feel in my heart sitting before the Tabernacle that I was to share this with you. I must say how I am so weak without Christ. I was able to see just how weak as the Holy Spirit literally lifted me with not much time to get ready, to be at Mass this morning to find today being the feast of our beautiful Carmelite saint and martyr, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. I have to share this because in my weakness and unawareness the Lord made me aware of the days goodness and HIS presence in my life. Our Lord has also shown me while visiting the chapel after Holy Mass, finding myself praying the Liturgy and today’s scripture reading being the same reading that the Holy Spirit gave this ministry many years ago:

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Praised be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all consolation! He comforts us in all our afflictions and thus enables us to comfort those who are in trouble, with the same consolation we have received from him. As we have shared much in the sufferings of Christ, so through Christ do we share abundantly in his consolation.

May this scripture reading lift you up in the present moment and know that you are loved. I am not the only one God is calling to be near to HIM, Our Trinitarian God is calling you too. Sit with HIM for a while and just be near to HIM. He will speak to you in your present need and HE will comfort you in your afflictions and bring you consolation.

Please pray for me and forgive me for any ramblings.

God bless you

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

What a great little reminder: “Without me you can do nothing.” Lord, I do believe that I can do nothing without You. Help me to believe this with an even greater conviction and, as I do, help me to grow in humility and gratitude.

Jesus, I trust in You.

Morning Reflection 8/6/19