September 1st has been designated for all Catholics by Pope Francis as "Care of Creation " Day - Go Hug a Tree

Meister Eckhart , born around 1260, had a Creation-centered spirituality. the spiritual tradition that is most Jewish, the most biblical , the most prophetic, and the most like the kind Jesus of Nazareth preached and lived.  It has almost been lost in the West since Eckhart's condemnation of HUMANS not living it.

Thanks to many young people, scientist, and Pope Francis

we are  beginning to turn back to an appreciation of the gift of creation. 

Meister Eckhart has confessed that he finds the world amazing. He is amazed by the grace-filledness of creation. He calls creation the "first grace,"  the grace of creation."

He advises us to alter our way of seeing creation, to alter our consciousness.

Pope Francis has urged Catholics to set aside every September 1st as"Care of Creation" Day.

It is a good day to plant , garden, recycle and

GO HUG A TREE.

Thoughts from above taken from the book Breakthrough, Meister  Eckhart's Creation Spirituality by Matthew Fox

Sunday August 30, Reflections on the Sunday Gospel

JESUS REBUKED THE PHARISEES FOR RELYING ON OUTWARD PURIFICATION by achristianpilgrim JESUS REBUKED THE PHARISEES FOR RELYING ON OUTWARD PURIFICATION (A biblical refection on THE 22nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME [YEAR B] – August 30, 2015)  Gospel Reading: Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23  First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8; Psalms: Psalm 15:2-5; Second Reading: James 1:17-18,21-22,27  The Scripture Text Now when the Pharisees gathered together to Him, with some of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of His disciples ate with hands defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, observing the tradition of the elders; and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they purify themselves; which they observe, the washing of cups and pots and vessels of bronze.) And the Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with hands defiled?” and He said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me; in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’ You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men.” And He called the people to Him again, and said to them, “Hear Me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a man which by going into him can defile him; but the things which come out of a man are what defile him.” For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a man.” (Mark 7:1-9,14-15,21-23 RSV)  As the Son of God who took on our humanity, Jesus knew two universal truths about the human heart: First, that we were created with a deep longing to be united with God; and second, that because of sin, we are constantly found loving ourselves more than anyone else. We are unable to remain united with God because of our sinful desires: “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these things come from within, and they defile a man” (Mark 7:21-23). Jesus knew how easily we can deceive ourselves about what lies within us. Religious discipline – which controls exterior action – can sometimes result in a stale, legalistic piety. By avoiding gross sin, we may presume to reach a comfortable plateau in our relationship with God. Knowing this tendency, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for relying on outward purification. He did not condemn their traditions from any persevere rebellion against authority. He wanted them as Israel’s spiritual leaders, to realize that laws and regulations while affecting outward behavior can leave interior drives unchanged. Jesus knew that in order to abide with God, we must constantly be purifying the way we live. Jesus was not condemning religious rituals; rather He was condemning inner inclinations which can be masked by participation in religious ceremonies. Jesus, however, through the Holy Spirit, truly transforms the wicked heart. He alone can remove the obstacles that prevent us from loving God and other people. He give us genuine power to love, not based on moral will-power or efforts toward self-improvement, but from a true reflection of God’s boundless love for all: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world”  (James 1:27). The human heart finds it natural to be wary of the Lord’s call for constant purification. Yet we must not deny the interior longing within each of us to come into God’s presence. Centuries ago the psalmist expressed thing longing: “LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy mountain?” (Psalm 15:1 NAB). Jesus was the first to ascend to God for our sake, as our high priest. He invites us to be purified by the power of His blood, by becoming one with His body. Let us respond to Him, confident that Christ will complete the purification He has already begun. Prayer: Lord Jesus, You alone can remove the obstacles that prevent us from loving God and other people. Through the Holy Spirit, transform our wicked hearts, and make us Your faithful disciples. Amen. Jakarta, 28 August 2015  A Christian Pilgrim achristianpilgrim | August 29, 2015 at 1:48 pm | Tags: DO NOT LIVE ACC Daily Dig for August 30 Meister Eckhart For God does not give us anything in order that we should enjoy its possession and rest content with it, nor has he ever done so. All the gifts which he has ever granted us in heaven or on earth were made solely in order to be able to give us the one gift, which is himself.…We should learn to see God in all gifts and works, neither resting content with anything nor becoming attached to anything. For us there can be no attachment to a particular manner of behavior in this life, nor has this ever been right, however successful we may have been. Source: Meister Eckhart: Selected Writings

Saturday August 29 Reflection on verse 3 of Psalm 119

Happy are they who never do evil

but walk in His ways.

What is evil?

Saint Thomas Aquinas tells us that evil is the absence of good.

So when we have this absence of good in us we cannot be happy.

Why do we want the good or happiness?

First and foremost when we choose the good we are doing ourselves the biggest favor. The good  brings  in us contentment.

We pass this contentment on to others, splashing all around us with happiness.  People are happy to be in our presence.

When we have this contentment  we are right with God and that adds to our happiness and peace.

The second part of this verse is "to walk in His ways.

What are His ways?

God's ways are to be in line with Jesus' Father's will

And What is His will for us?

Dorothy Day says this:

Paperwork, cleaning the house, dealing with the innumerable visitors who come all through the day, answering the phone, keeping patience and acting intelligently, which is to find some meaning in all that happens-these things,too, are the works of peace."  From the Catholic Worker, Dec 1965

and for me this is God's Will, the daily grind of life. Doing what my Superior wishes, my Sisters wishes  and choosing the good, day in and day out.

  

Friday August 28 St. Augustine - Saint of Second Chances

Daily Dig for August 28 Amy Carmichael Many have forgotten that unofficial witness-bearing used to be the chief way by which the good news went around the world. I tell you, and you believe and receive and tell someone else, and he tells others. Frank, vital telling in ordinary language that the Lord Jesus Christ lives and loves, and can save and keep, and can be known like a real friend, and is a Master who gives real orders and strength to carry them out – think of the power that is in that! Can you wonder that the devil detests it? Source: Fragments That Remain Daily Prayer for August 28 Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. Psalm 93:1, NIV Lord our God, you are king, founding a kingdom that reaches to the ends of the earth, establishing it to endure forever. We thank you that we may be sheltered in your hands and that no sickness of body or soul can do us lasting harm. We thank you for lifting us again and again to true life with the light and power to overcome what is earthly, true life with the flexibility to remain trusting and confident no matter what happens, true life directed to the great goal of God's kingdom, promised to us in Jesus Christ. Amen.

St. Monica

Wednesday August 26 Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa

Prayer to the Black Madonna

Our Lady of Czestochowa, the Black Madonna, you show us the way to your Son. With one hand, you hold him tenderly near your heart; with the other hand you point to him. Help us to imitate you by always carrying Jesus with us, and lifting the vision of the world to him as the source of our life.

You are queen and protector of the people of Poland, and millions have entrusted their prayers to you. Watch over all of us with your motherly love, bring our hopes and fears before your Son, and guide us to eternal life through his life, death, and resurrection. Amen.

Queen of Poland , Pray for Us

Monday August 24 Feast of Saint Bartholomew

Saint Bartholomew was martyr in Armenian according to Tradition.


The Gospel of John is the only one to mention the apostle Nathaniel, but tradition considers him to be the “Bartholomew” of the other gospels. His name means “son of Tolmai” and could have been Nathaniel's surname. Another ce to his identity lies in the fact that Bartholomew is always listed beside the name of Philip, the one who John tells us introduced Nathaniel to Jesus (John 1:45-46). The Gospel reading for today’s Mass is John 1:45-51.

Prayer: Almighty Lord and Father, strengthen in us that faith with which Saint Bartholomew gave himself wholeheartedly to Christ Your Son. May Your Church become the sacrament of salvation for all the nations of the earth. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Jakarta, 24 August 2015

A Christian Pilgrim

Friday August 21- FrancisCorps visits the Poor Clares in Chesterfield

These young women and men are College Graduates that are spending a year of their life

serving the poor.

May God be with them in their Ministry and reward their act of Love and Sacrifice.

Thursday August 20th Feast of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

Bernard of Clairvaux, O.Cist was a French abbot and the primary builder of the reforming Cistercian order. After the death of his mother, Bernard sought admission into the Cistercian order. Wikipedia Born: 1090, Fontaine-lès-Dijon, France Died: August 20, 1153, Clairvaux Abbey, France Organizations founded: Cistercians Siblings: Gerard of Clairvaux, Guy of Clairvaux, More Parents: Tescelin de Fontaine, Aleth of Montbard Daily Dig for August 20 Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt We should protest against the peace which tolerates everything as it is (Ezek. 13:10). This includes those religions and teachings that emphasize resignation, as though we should accept and submit to everything because it is somehow God’s will. In Jesus there is no such thing as mere resignation. No, in his name we are called to seek God’s justice on earth. In Jesus we are to pursue his reign – not just for ourselves but for all people. Those who gather around Jesus cry out for God’s kingdom and his justice. Source: Everyone Belongs to God Daily Prayer for August 20 Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1, NIV Lord our God,  grant that we may be your children who receive the Spirit and all they need from you. You strengthen us not only physically but also inwardly, in our hearts, enabling us to face the uncertainties of earthly life and whatever still needs changing in human society. Keep us from giving in to weakness. May your power be always with us. May we have patience and hope, because you are working for the good and we may wait for it in expectation. Amen. www.plough.com

Wednesday August 19 Freedom in Christ

Daily Dig for August 19

Fred Epstein

The question, “Why do children suffer?” has no answer, unless it is simply, “To break our hearts.” Once our hearts get broken, they never fully heal. They always ache. But perhaps a broken heart is a more loving instrument. Perhaps only after our hearts have cracked wide open, have finally and totally unclenched, can we truly know love without boundaries. Source: If I Get to Five Daily Prayer for August 19 Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25–26, NIV Dear God and our Father,  if only we have you, we desire nothing more in heaven or on earth. Body and soul may fail, but you, O God, are the strength and comfort of our hearts and you are ours forever. May we live in your Spirit and may your light shine over us. Touch our hearts and help us understand the greatness of what you call us to. Help us and free us again and again so that we are not bound by fear, even when we must pass through intense suffering. For your hand shall be with us and shall rescue us. Your hand shall bring about good for us and for all the people around us. Our hearts go out to them and we plead for them too, "Lord, send your Savior to all." Amen. www.plough.com

Tuesday August 18 Riches tie us down but detachment from them helps us fly

Daily Dig for August 18 Basil the Great I ask, “How have you all this wealth?” For the care of the poor consumes wealth. When each one receives a little for one’s needs, and when all owners distribute their means simultaneously for the care of the needy, no one will possess more than one’s neighbor. Yet it is plain that you have very many lands. Whence all these? Undoubtedly you have subordinated the relief and comfort of many to your convenience. And so, the more you abound in your riches, the more you want in love. Source: Ownership: Early Christian Teaching Daily Prayer for August 18 Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Psalm 73:23–24, NIV Thank you, great God and Father,  for filling our hearts with trust so that we are of good hope, also for those who have not yet found trust. Thank you for giving us courage to face all the questions that arise in human life and for accepting us again and again when we come to you. You know what lies before us. You know the mountains that have to be moved. You know all the things that frustrate us and try to wear us out, and you will take them away. At last your light will shine into all the darkness. This certainty fills us with gladness and thanksgiving. In this faith we are determined to remain steadfast and to press on to victory. Amen. www.plough.com

Monday August 17 Called to be Free.

Daily Dig for August 17 C.S. Lewis The New Testament, without going into details, gives us a pretty clear hint of what a fully Christian society would be like. Perhaps it gives us more than we can take. It tells us that there are to be no passengers or parasites: if we do not work, we ought not to eat. People are to work with their own hands, and what is more, everyone’s work is to produce something good: there will be no manufacture of silly luxuries and then of sillier advertisements to persuade us to buy them. And there is to be no “swank” or “side,” no putting on airs. To that extent a Christian society would be what we now call Leftist. On the other hand, it is always insisting on obedience – obedience (and outward marks of respect) from all of us to properly appointed magistrates, from children to parents, and (I am afraid this is going to be very unpopular) from wives to husbands. Thirdly, it is to be a cheerful society: full of singing and rejoicing, and regarding worry or anxiety as wrong. Source: Mere Christianity Daily Prayer for August 17 Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you for holding open the way into our hearts and for bringing us the peace of Jesus Christ. Help us to keep this way open. Grant us peace in this tempest-torn world. Grant us peace when many struggles and uncertainties try to occupy our hearts. We have no strength in ourselves, only in him who is standing at our side and who will never forsake us, who lives and gives strength. His light will always break in anew among us. His light will shine on many people and lead them to the promised day, the day that will bring all our hopes to fulfillment. Amen. www.plough.com

Saturday August 15 Feast of Our Lady's Assumption into Heaven A PROOF THAT WE TOO CAN RISE AGAIN IN BODY AND IN SPIRIT

A PROOF THAT WE TOO CAN RISE AGAIN IN BODY AND IN SPIRIT

 (A biblical reflection on the Solemnity of THE ASSUMPTION OF THE VIRGIN MARY – Sunday, 16 August 2015)

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 1:39-56 

First Reading: Revelation 11:19;12:1-6,10; Psalms: Psalm 45:10-12,16; Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26 

The Scripture Text

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has regarded the low estate of His hand maiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm, He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent empty away. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.”

And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home. (Luke 1:39-56 RSV) 

“Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord” (Luke 1:45).

Today’s feast is not just a celebration of a glorious event in Mary’s life. It’s a celebration of the destiny that awaits all of us. Mary’s assumption proves that we too can rise again in body and in spirit – just as she was taken body and soul in heaven.

What did you get from a week-long Marian pilgrimage, after visiting shrines, daily Masses, enjoying beautiful scenery during our travels from one place to another place, the bus drive itself was colored by praying and joyfully praising God together as a group? One thing is sure: a deeper experience of God’s presence.

Once we arrived home, we returned to the pace of our everyday life. But the memory of God’s presence never left us. In fact, it became a reminder that just as Mary believed she would experience the fulfilment of God’s promises, so too will we share in those very same promises. We are all pilgrims on the way to the glory that Mary is now experiencing in heaven.

Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 30"

Mary’s words of praise to God in the Magnificat reflect a rhythm of trust and obedience that resulted in a deeper life with the LORD. Pondering these words can help us join that rhythm. We can reread verses 51 to 55 and remember the times when God has kept these promises to each of us. Let’s recall those occasions when we put ourselves on a throne of some sort, and God’s goodness is gently “dethroning” us. What about the times He “exalted” us through a sincere compliment from a friend or through an opportunity to serve His people more fully? Just think: In both situations, God was being just as faithful to us as He was to Mary.

Through her unwavering trust in God, Mary shows us the way to heaven. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that “when the course of her earthly life was completed, [Mary] was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven, where she already shares in the glory of her Son’s Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of His Body” (CCC, 974). Mary’s life is a constant reminder that we can trust in the Lord’s promise that we too will reign, body and soul, in heaven as beloved children of God.

Prayer: All glory and praise to You, loving Father. I know that Your promises will be fulfilled in my life and for eternity. I rejoice that You call me to be Your own. Amen. 

Jakarta, 14 August 2015 

A Christian Pilgrim

achristianpilgrim | August 15, 2015 at 11:33 am | Tags: JES

August 14th Vigil of the Feast of our Lady's Assumption into Heaven.

Happy Feast Day of our Lady and Her Assumption

• Mary is "blessed" because --totally, in body and soul and for ever -- she became the Lord's dwelling place (Benedict XVI)



• # 2: Carl Jung on the Assumption: It was in 1950, that the famed Lutheran psychiatrist Carl Jung, theSwiss psychiatrist,and an influential thinker, the founder of analytical psychology,remarked that the papal announcement of the Assumption of Mary, in 1950, was "the most important religious event since the Reformation." (Storr 1983 p. 324) It means that along with the glorified masculine body of Jesus in heaven there is also a glorified feminine body of his mother Mary.
  
  According to Jung "bodily reception of the Virgin into heaven" (Ibid.) meant that "the heavenly bride was united with the bridegroom," (Ibid. p. 322) which union "signifies the hieros gamos"[the sacred marriage]. (Ibid.) Acknowledging that the Assumption "is vouched for neither in scripture nor in the tradition of the first five centuries of the Christian Church," Jung observes that: "The papal declaration made a reality of what had long been condoned.  This irrevocable step beyond the confines of historical Christianity is the strongest proof of the autonomy of archetypal images." (Storr 1983 p. 297).
  
  Jung remarks that “the Protestant standpoint . . . is obviously out of touch with the tremendous archetypal happenings in the psyche of the individual and the masses, and with the symbols which are intended to compensate the truly apocalyptic world situation today." (Ibid. pp. 322-323) Jung added: “Protestantism has obviously not given sufficient attention to the signs of the times which point to the equality of women. But this equality requires to be metaphysically anchored in the figure of a 'divine' woman. . . .  The feminine, like the masculine, demands an equally personal representation

Submitted by Sister Florence

Friday August 14 Maximilian Kolbe gave his life at Auschwitz for another person

Our Celebration of the Feast of Saint Clare August 11, 2015

Left top  Holy Name Postulants   Friars Frank Walter,Russel Murray  Friars Michael Lorentsen , Brad Milunski Celebrant and homilist, Msgr Brietske
2nd Row, Sister Lydia and Friar Ron Pecci,  Brothers Xavier SVD  Friars Dimas , Tom Barton , Damien
3rd Row Friars Brad Milunski  ,Ray Frias Father Vincent Burke SVD and Friar Bob Benko

Thanks to all the priests and brothers that helped us celebrate. We hold you in prayer.
And thanks to all our friends that attended.
Rose O'Connor took pictures and will share in the Catholic Monitor Newspaper.

Tuesday August 11th St. Clare of Assisi - Our Feast Day . We hold all our Relatives, Friends in our life of prayer

Preparing for the big Feast of Saint Clare of Assisi, Patron Saint of the Poor Clares

Please note well that St. Clare of Assisi had a cat.

Connecting to the spiritual stamina, joy, and the pleasures of humble service of others modeled by St. Clare of Assisi.

Naming the Days Feature by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Clare (1193 - 1253) was born into one of the wealthy families of Assisi in Italy. She loved fine things as a teenager but was also drawn inwardly to a life of service. At seventeen, she heard Francis of Assisi, the monk who repaired churches and ministered to the sick, speak and say: "When there is poverty with joy, there is inner peace." A year later, she decided to follow in his footsteps by giving up her life of wealth. Francis persuaded her to form a community of women at San Damiano. She spent the next four decades in prayer and contemplation. She was the first woman to write a Rule for religious life.

To Name This Day:

 Prayers & Mantras

Adopting her words 

"My Lord, I thank you for having created me" 

as an sacred prayer of gratitude for the day.

 Films

Watch the film Clare of Assisi, a one-woman play written and performed by Karen Lee Hodgson that conveys the spiritual stamina, joy, humility and determination of this Christian saint.

 Books

Read The St. Clare Prayer Book: Listening for God's Leading and adopt one of her prayer practices.