Luminous meditations, the Word is light

“The supernatural may immediately be grasped only when nature is elevated and enlightened by grace.” –Edith Stein

“The meaning of symbol is perhaps most properly fulfilled when what we know leads us to something we do not know.” –Edith Stein

“In a way the symbolism of the human body is like this. Its whole external appearance points beyond itself to something disclosed thereby.” –Edith Stein

“Without ‘expression’ we would have no access to the being of someone else’s soul.” –Edith Stein

The Baptism of Jesus

the universal significance of water

Genesis 3:1-8, Matthew 3 through 4:17

• After He took leave of His blessed Mother, Christ our Lord, went from Nazareth to the River Jordan where St. John the Baptist was.
• St. John baptized Christ our Lord. When John wanted to excuse himself, considering that he was unworthy to baptize Him, Christ said to him, “Let it be so now, for so it becomes us to fulfill all justice.”
• The Holy Spirit descended upon Him, and the voice of the Father testified from Heaven, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

The Marriage Feast in Cana

the universal significance of man and woman

John 2: 1-16

• Christ our Lord and His disciples were invited to the marriage feast.
• His Mother calls her Son’s attention to the lack of wine.
• He changes water into wine.

Proclaiming the Kingdom

the complementarity of healthy communication and virtue

Matthew 5

• He speaks apart to His beloved disciples about the beatitudes.
• He exhorts them to use their talents well.
• He shows that He is not a transgressor of the law but a fulfiller. He explains the precept not to kill, not to commit adultery, not to swear falsely, and to love our enemies.

The Transfiguration

the realization of Divine Love’s presence

Matthew 17: 1-9

• Christ our Lord took with Him His beloved disciples Peter, James, and John.
• He spoke with Moses and Elijah.
• While St. Peter was saying they should build three tents (tabernacles), a voice came from heaven. When the disciples heard the voice, they fell on their faces in great fear, BUT Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Arise and do not be afraid.”

Establishing the Eucharist

the significance of sharing a meal

Matthew 26: 17-30, John 6:22-71, and John 13: 1-30

• Jesus ate the Paschal Lamb with His twelve Apostles to whom He foretold His death.
• He washed the feet of His disciples, even those of Judas. He began with St. Peter who, considering the majesty of the Lord and his own lowly estate, would not permit it. Peter did not understand that Jesus was giving him an example of humility.
• He instituted the most Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist as the greatest proof of His love, saying, “Take and eat.” When the supper was finished, Judas went forth to sell Christ our Lord.

*All meditation bullet points from Ignatius. These can be done with the five luminous mysteries of the rosary. Take your time, and let yourself be inspired.

God bless…

Jesus Always Gives Authentic and Lasting Friendship, Encouragement, and Communion (Topic 30)

Single Mothers of Mary                  Topic 30

Goal: To learn that authentic friendship comes from Jesus

Topics that will be covered in this post:

• Inspirational women: Mary, Bahkita, and Catherine of Alexandria
• Fifth Luminous Mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper
• Guidance on preparing the heart for spiritual battle and on avoiding being fake or artificial in conversation
• Questions on faith communities, fellowship, and participation in the Eucharist

St. Bahkita (1869-1942) 

• Born in the Sudan with another name, she was kidnapped at a very young age and treated so heinously that she could never remember the name her parents had given her; her kidnappers gave her the name Bahkita.
• She experienced the awful trials, humiliations, and pains both physical and moral that slavery has, being sold and resold in the markets of El Obeid and Khartoum.
• Eventually in the capital of Sudan she was sold to an Italian Consul in whose household she was treated with kindness and warmth; because of political tensions, the Consul had to leave and received permission to take Bahkita with him to Italy; when she arrived another family wanted to have Bahkita care for their daughters; when the parents had to leave for business, the children along with Bahkita were left to an order of religious women, the Canossians.
• “It was there that Bakhita came to know about God whom “she had experienced in her heart without knowing who He was” ever since she was a child” (Vatican website).
• When she was 21, she received the Sacraments of Initiation and was given the name Jospehine.
• Since she had become an adult, the Italian law said that she could do whatever she wanted. The family still wanted to have her in their lives, but she wanted to become consecrated to God whom she had longed for as a child and found as an adult—she moved in with a religious order. After five years, she took the permanent vows for consecration.
• For fifty years she did various works for her religious order and for those who came in need at their door; people were especially drawn by her gentleness and her musical way of speaking; she wanted to make sure that everyone knew about God who loved them, spreading hope to many–everyone began to call her Mother Moretta, our Black Mother.
• When she was dying, she re-experienced the agony of her chains and torments from slavery; at the very end of her life, she saw Our Lady, and was filled with peace, having a smile on her face when she died.
• People have experienced the graces of Bahkita’s intercession ever since.

St. Catherine of Alexandria (300s AD)

• She became converted when she saw a vision of angels–angels played a big role in her life from that point forward.
• She debated with fifty pagan philosophers in the court of the emperor; all but the emperor became converted by her intellectual arguments–she was not afraid to stand up against the Emperor, Maxentius; he tried to bribe her into not converting everyone into the Catholic faith, but she wanted to spread the Gospel, so she was imprisoned.
• While in prison, she converted the empress, an officer, and two hundred soldiers.
• The emperor decided to have her killed and was going to do so with a spiked wheel, but the wheel broke.
• He eventually had her beheaded.
• Her remains were taken to Mt. Sinai, where one of the largest monasteries in the world exists–St. Catherine’s Monastery–some of the most priceless icons and illuminated manuscripts exist there.
• She was one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers who appeared to St. Joan of Arc over 1100 years after her death.
• She is the saint of philosophers.

Prayer: Fifth Luminous Mystery

(The Last Supper/Institution of the Eucharist)

• Start with short introductory prayer of praise and thanksgiving, intercession and petitions.
• Read Matthew 26: 26-30 and John 15 and reflect.
• Creed, decade of the Rosary with St. Louis, praying for the desire to achieve active participation in every Mass with Jesus instituting the Eucharist.
• Glory Be and reflect…
• Discuss any inspirations or questions about the Mystery.
• Discuss how Jesus shows in this mystery that He will provide everything for His disciples (strength, friendship, correction, understanding, courage, food…) and how we can trust that He really is still present in the Eucharist.

Readings:

• St. Francis De Sales Part IV, Chapter 10 (how to arm the heart against temptation)
• CCC 610-611 (the Last Supper)
• John 6:22-71 (the Bread of Life discourse)
• Familiaris Consortio 51 (the family as the domestic Church)
• St. Francis De Sales Part III, Chapter 30 (further counsels on conversation), review also his chapters on friendships

Faith Witness:

1. Who belongs to our faith community?
2. Why is it important to participate and respond when the community is worshipping Our Lord?
3. Are there things we need to do more to help our own communities of faith? Can we help Christian fellowship grow?
4. What are the easy parts of Christian fellowship? What are the harder parts of Christian fellowship?
5. What do we want non-believing Christians or non-believers to see when they see us with our faith communities? What would we like to see from our faith communities?
6. To begin, Jesus shows us how He transforms us with water, then He transforms water into really good wine at a marriage feast, then He transforms a woman with the Water That Is Him, then He transforms before the Apostles eyes, and finally He says He can transform Himself to become True Food and True Drink. What is He trying to show us?
7. Please pray with Jesus in this mystery as well as with the Beatitudes over the next week.

Authentic Transformation Comes from the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Topic 29)

Single Mothers of Mary                              Topic 29

Goal: To see that authentic transformation only comes from the Source and Mover, the Life and Beauty, the Truth and Power, Love i.e. the Holy Trinity, revealed gently

Topics covered in this post:

• Inspirational women: Mary, Catherine of Siena, Gianna Molla
• Fourth Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration of Jesus
• Guidance on avoiding slander and detraction and on how to remedy the annoying temptations
• Questions on fear of God and trusting Jesus, the Savior

St Catherine of Siena

(a Doctor of the Church)

1347-1380

 

• Born on the Feast of the Annunciation with her twin sister, who sadly did not survive; she was the youngest of 25 children; her father was a successful wool dyer.
• She had her first mystical experience (a vision of angels and saints in heaven) when she was only 6 years old; when she was 12, her parents ordered her to take better care of her appearance so that she could get married; she did for a time, but then she felt bad so she cut off her hair, prized as her best attribute, and swore that she would never marry.
• Her family then tried to keep her ultra busy with menial tasks even though she sorely desired to be in solitude more often. She bore this time with great patience learning how to have spiritual retreats while working (see also St. Francis de Sales, Part II, Chapter 12); her parents soon relented and allowed her to become a Third Order Dominican.
• When she was 19, she received a vision of a spiritual betrothal to Jesus and was told to now encourage the salvation of her neighbor; people began to call her “Mamma” because she had helpful with both spiritual and practical advice.
• As time went on, some people (some accounts say they were jealous nuns) aroused suspicions about Catherine, so she was sent before the chapter general of the Dominicans–he was so impressed with her that he became her confessor, used her advice, and ended up writing her biography, seeing first hand that she was blessed.
• She was able to bring hardened sinners to confession and amendment, to arbitrate disputes between cities, and to care for those sick with the Black Plague (starting in the Asia and devastating the people there as well, the Plague had killed nearly half of the Europeans by 1348); she visited and counseled prisoners and counseled and mediated for the Pope; in fact, she was able to convince the Pope to return to Rome, something nobody else had been able to do (see also St. Bridget of Sweden, the women being the strongest advocates for this return to Rome).
• Catherine received the stigmata when she was 28 years old and provided The Dialogues of St. Catherine of Siena –her conversations with God.
• She died when she was 33.

St. Gianna Molla

(1922-1962)

• Born in Milan, Italy to faith-filled parents, she received a Christian education, participated in youth groups, and stayed involved with her family.
• She became a doctor and was known to persuade women to not seek abortions for unplanned pregnancies.
• Several times, she thought she was called to be a missionary in South America, but her spiritual director persuaded her that she was probably not called to take religious vows since she so easily became sick in the heat—her body could not handle the rigors of the religious life.
• After waiting several years for the right man, she married Pietro when she was 33 and had three children while continuing to see her own patients.
• When she was 39, she found out that she was pregnant but that she also had a tumor in her uterus; the doctors suggested that she have an abortion because going to term would probably kill her; she could not bring herself to have an abortion; during labor, she began bleeding and developed an infection (note: today this type of infection is curable).
• She repeated the words, “Jesus, I love you,” and died 7 days after having her fourth child—a daughter.
• She is one of the first Saints to have her husband and her four children–including the daughter whom she gave life to–be able to witness her canonization in 1994; miraculous healings have occurred with her intercession.

Prayer: Fourth Luminous Mystery (The Transfiguration)

• Start with short introductory prayer of praise and thanksgiving, intercession and petitions.
• Read Matthew 17: 1-9 and reflect.
• Creed, a decade of the Rosary with St. Louis, praying for the firm desire to become a new person with Jesus in His Transfiguration.
• Glory Be and reflect…
• Discuss any inspirations or questions about the Mystery.
• Discuss how the transfiguration moment both reveals and hides Jesus for Peter, James, and John and moments when we have felt the same in Jesus’ Presence.

Readings:

• St. Francis De Sales Part IV, Chapter 9 (how to remedy those annoying temptations)
• CCC 554-556 (the foretaste of the Kingdom), 557-570 (ascent, messianic, and synopsis on his public ministry)  
• Familiaris Consortio  62 (the importance of prayer)
• St. Francis De Sales Part III, Chapter 29 (why to avoid detraction)

Faith Witness:

• Why do you think that sometimes Jesus seems so slow in responding to prayers or in revealing Himself to you?
• Are there times when you have feared God?
• Does fear mean that you do not have faith?
• Jesus tells His disciples to “Rise, and do not be afraid.” Can you hear Him say this to you? Can you hear His hope to have an intimate friendship with you?
• Can you take a look over the course of your life and see how God has been working gently and patiently with you to bring you closer to Him? Reflect.
• Sometimes we forget to look for God’s Presence…isn’t it awesome to see after we remember His qualities, His Person, His gentleness, His love!
• Can we trust His faithfulness and love for us more now that we know that He has an ability to hide and reveal Himself at the same time?
• Please pray with Jesus in this mystery and with the Beatitudes this week.

Authentic Self-Realization Begins with Dialogue, Honesty, and Christ’s Strength (Topic 28)

Single Mothers of Mary                                          Topic 28

Goal: To see that authentic self-realization can only begin after one looks honestly at self with the help of Jesus

Topics covered in this post:

• Inspirational Women: Mary and the Woman at the Well
• Third Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
• Guidance on the gentleness of Jesus, avoiding judging people rashly, and encouragement to overcome even small temptations
• Questions on self-knowledge, Jesus’ goals for us, and how to to tell the difference between rash judgement and moral honesty

Thirsting

Cast away

Excluded from the crowd

Her heart-broken

Looking in deserted heart-places

Carried into relationships that too soon evaporate–they never stay

The heat of the day presses down

Searching for love

She wants to hide

She wants to cry

She feels too dry

—

The rubbled road never seems to lead to home

The comfort is always stolen

Walking alone

She finds a Man at the well, alone

He thirsts

She’s not sure

He might be the Person she was looking for…

Prayer: Third Luminous Mystery (The Proclamation of the Kingdom)

• Start with short introductory prayer of praise and thanksgiving, intercession and petitions.
• Read John 4: 4-42 and reflect.
• Creed, decade of the Rosary with St. Louis, praying for the forgiveness of our sins with Jesus proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
• Glory Be and reflect silently on the Mystery.
• Discuss any inspirations or questions about the Mystery.

Readings:

• “Savior of the World,” Chapter 8 from Life of Christ by Fulton Sheen
• CCC 543-550 (the proclamation and signs of the Kingdom), 551-553 (the keys), 1803-04, 1812-13, and 1830-2 (virtues and gifts of the Spirit)
• Familiaris Consortio 23 & 24 (women, society, and offenses against their dignity)
• St. Francis De Sales Part III, Chapter 28 (on rash judgment)
• St. Francis De Sales Part IV, Chapter 6 (the importance of resisting small temptations)

Faith Witness:

1. Discuss how Jesus works so gently with the Woman at the Well.
2. Why do you think honest self-knowledge coupled with knowledge of God–i.e., spiritual poverty–is such an important part of being a true disciple and a truly loving person?
3. Seeing our own faults can be scary. What can we do to overcome that fear of self-awareness or self-knowledge, and should we ever look this honestly at ourselves without Jesus? In other words, what happens when we do not trust Jesus’ saving power but are able to see some of the effects of sin?
4. What are some things that prevent us from seeing our own faults?
5. What does Jesus assure us after we allow ourselves to see our faults, weaknesses, and emptinesses?
6. What fruits begin to manifest after we take this essential step of self-realization with Christ who alone gives us this knowledge–it takes courage to know self–and who alone can be our Savior?
7. How does self-realization help us to love our neighbor?
8. What is the difference between honest self/other knowledge and rash judgement?
9. What was and still is Jesus’ primary goal for all of us?
10. Please pray the Beatitudes and meditate on the mystery of Jesus’ saving mission this week.

Authentic Intercession, Fulfillment, and Manifestation (Topic 27)

Single Mothers of Mary                  Topic 27

Goal: To begin to understand authentic intercession and fulfillment and the authentic manifestation of love

Topics covered in this post:

• Inspirational Women: Mary, the bride at Cana, and St. Bridget of Sweden
• Second Luminous Mystery: The First Miracle at the Wedding at Cana
• Guidance on finding remedies for great temptations, for creating modest conversation, and for building confidence in doing and saying what is just, honest, and appropriate
• Questions on responses to marriage, differences between God’s plan and the world’s plan for women, and on the nature of LOVE manifested in authentic intercession and authentic marriage

Mary’s heart burning with love

St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373)

• Her mom was the second wife to her dad, so her mom brought several other children to the marriage before having Bridget–she had step brothers and sisters.
• Her mom died when she was only 12, so her aunt then took over the care of her brothers and sisters and her.
• –When she was fourteen (16 in other texts), she married an 18 year old young man named Ulf. Together, they made resolutions to be a holy couple.
• Together, they had eight children–four girls and four boys. Their youngest child has also been canonized–St. Catherine of Sweden.
• During their married life, Bridget cultivated friendships with a number of learned and virtuous people, took charge of feudal estate affairs, became a lady-in-waiting for the queen of Sweden and established the intellectual center for Sweden.
• Her husband died in 1344.
• Despite her young widowhood and fears of the Black Plague in southern Europe, she left Sweden in 1349 because she refused to support the king’s war on Latvia and Estonia. She then made pilgrimages to holy sites, such as the holy places of St. Olaf’s shrine, Compostela, Rome, and Assisi.
• She had many personal revelations, such as the need for court members (politicians) to convert, the need for the Pope to return to Rome, and the need to build religious houses. Since she was unsure whether or not her visions were from God or from the devil, she became haunted by fears until she met a spiritual guide who knew the worthiness of her visions. For the most part, her revelations and prophecies had to do with the religious, cultural, and political problems of her day.
• Her wisdom often brought her slander and persecutions from those who did not want to hear the truth.
• She did not fear to admonish even the Pope when he stubbornly refused to return to Rome (St. Catherine of Siena finally convinced him in 1376, three years after St. Bridget’s death in 1373).
• She helped her family through many problems, such as supporting her oldest daughter who had a riotous husband, grieving over her youngest son’s death, and admonishing her married son Charles who became entangled in a messy affair with the infamous queen of Spain who was also already married—they wanted to marry each other secretly even though they were already married—he died of a fever before that secret marriage could take place.
• She exemplifies courage, perseverance, wisdom, faithfulness to truth, educational values, motherhood, and love.

 

Prayer: Second Luminous Mystery (The Wedding at Cana)

• Start with short introductory prayer of praise and thanksgiving, intercession and petitions.
• Read John 2: 1-16 and reflect.
• Creed, decade of the Rosary with St. Louis de Montfort, praying for the willingness to do whatever Jesus says with Jesus in His Self-Manifestation and willingness at Cana.
• Glory Be and reflect silently on this Mystery.
• Discuss any inspirations or questions about the Mystery.
• Discuss the importance of Mary’s intercession, marriage, and Jesus’ manifestation with his first public miracle.

Readings:

• Read St. Francis De Sales Part IV, Chapter 7 (remedies for great temptations)
• CCC 1612-1620 (the relationship of marriage and virginity for the sake of the Kingdom)
• CCC 1643 (the goods, shoulds, and manifestation of conjugal love)
• Familiaris Consortio  11 (Humankind—male and female—the  Image of God Who is Love), 13 (Jesus the Bridegroom) and 20f (witness of the abandoned)
• Hosea (needs to be read in its entirety in order to see human frailty, God’s marital love, and the hope of authentic conversion and fulfillment–for now, see 2:16-22)
• St. Francis De Sales Part III, Chapter 27 (modesty and love in conversation)

Faith Witness:

• How can we still be vessels of this Good News even while single mothers?
• What kind of response do you have to the word marriage? Reflect whether or not there is a personal need for heart healing.
• What does the world say a woman should rely on after she has become a single mother?
• What are some of the extreme miseries that women find themselves in if they listen to the world?
• How does Jesus change this predicament for women?
• What are the life altering decisions we need to discern with Jesus?
• How can we tell if we are in a good position, emotionally speaking, to know if we are making the decision that is in line with God’s call to holiness and love?
• How will you be able to tell if God is calling you to continue living as a single mom or to marriage?
• Would Mary be a good person to ask for help?
• How does Mary represent “woman” and the importance for women to intercede for others today?
• Read Ephesians 5:21-33 in light of your Christian call to be faithful to God.
• Final prayer and encouragement, read Hosea this week, pray the Beatitudes, and think and pray about the mystery of Jesus at the Wedding in Cana.