Reviews are starting to come in for 10 Promises of Jesus:; Stories and Scripture Reflections about Suffering and Joy and I’m overwhelmed at the degree of favor they’ve shown! I really sunk my heart and soul into this book, and it’s gratifying to know that my work has paid off.
The Crucifix bears our Lord’s torn and tattered Body, reminding us of his great suffering and the extreme price he paid for our salvation.
With her gaping wounds once again bleeding, the Church needs us to stay strong, fervent, and prayerful. She is the institution of Christ himself – it’s not the institution that has caused the problems, it’s the frail, imperfect human beings within her who fell prey to the evil one.
To understand Mary’s request, we must first understand the nature of genuine humility. Humility isn’t the refusal to acknowledge anything good about ourselves or the playing down of our gifts and qualities. That, in fact, is a form of pride.
Until that moment of desperation, I had never given serious thought to adoring Jesus in my heart. Of course, I pray to him and tell him that I love him. Definitely, I petition him when I’m in need. But the idea of sitting quietly and focusing only on his presence within me and nothing else was new to me.
When we look at all the bright red hearts scattered everywhere we look, maybe we can think of the bright red heart of St. Valentine, who was martyred for the sake of the Bright Red Heart that was pierced for us on the Cross.
Childlikeness isn’t something we can acquire on our own. It’s a grace we must ask for, and one that the Father is most willing to give us.