Our Jesus

"Behold our Jesus, who, not satisfied with dying on earth for our love, is pleased even after His death to dwell with us in the Most Holy Sacrament.  Let us, then, learn to thank Him for it, and to avail ourselves of conversing with Jesus.

- St. Alphonsus di Liguori

Catholic Art - Young St. John the Evangelist

by Piero di Cosimo June 1504, Honolulu Academy of Art

This is a very beautiful portrayal of a young St. John. I am sharing it because every time I go to the Honolulu Art Museum, (Formerly the Honolulu Academy of Art), I love this painting.  I am drawn to this painting.  Not only are the deep rich colors that are so appealing, but also the look of contentment on St. John's face.

For those of you not familiar with the story, it reflects the legend of  how St. John's was handed a poisoned cup of wine.  Yet, when he blessed the cup of wine, the poison rose in the shape of a serpent. Click HERE to see the full image and the description of the painting subject.

Our little art museum has quite an impressive selection of Catholic art.  Be sure to see for yourself if you  have the opportunity.

Movie Recommendations - Amazing Love, the Story of Hosea, etc.

During Lent, our family abstains from secular movies as much as possible. We watch Catholic movies which we have not seen such as Restless Heart and Edith Stein - The Seventh Chamber.  We also watch our old favorites during Lent such as the Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur, the Robe, and of course on Good Friday we will watch the Passion of the Christ.  We also watch Christian (Protestant) films which are wholesome and have good messages.   For the most part, we have not encountered anything that blatantly goes against the Catholic Church's teaching.

We watched one such movie last evening. The movie is Amazing Love, the Story of Hosea. It was produced by Christian Films.

The following is a description from the film's website:

Teen friends, Steve, Carrie, Cooper, and Gameboy embark on a weekend camping trip lead by their church youth group leader Stuart (Sean Astin) and his wife Beth (Erin Bethea). Joining them is an outsider Ashley, a self-involved rich kid, whose attitude causes a major commotion within the group, specifically between her and Carrie. Before it gets too out of hand though, Stuart takes this opportunity to share with the kids the incredibly powerful biblical story of Hosea; a story of immovable faith, impeccable commitment, and impervious love.

The movie starts off in the present and then the story-telling past comes to life. It is a good movie for the whole family. What God suffers for love of us is made quite clear. Amazing Love Website If you subscribed to Netflix, it is available via streaming.

Other movies we have enjoyed are as follows: Movies produced by the Kendrick brothers:

Flywheel
Fireproof
Courageous
Fighting the Giants

If any of you have recommendations, please feel free to share.

Overcoming Distracting Thoughts

"...never willfully to dwell on thoughts that disturb our peace, to despise them, not to allow them to trouble or torment us, and in this, as in all else, to be guided by the decision of our spiritual director."

- Father Jean-Nicholas Grou - The Spiritual Life

From journal entry April 2, 2013

I copied the above quote last year around this time.  I chose it for today's post because I have been having thoughts at Mass that do in fact disturb my peace.  It is clear that those thoughts did not come from God but from His enemy and ours.  The best way to fight those types of thoughts is to pray earnestly to God for the grace to overcome anything that takes our hearts and minds away from Him.

For Those Aspiring for True Sanctity

"...We must keep silence when it is not absolutely necessary to speak."

- Father Jean-Nicolas Grou - The Spiritual Life

Peace that only God can Give

"...we must labor for the love of God. Just as self-love is violent, turbulent, and impetuous, so the care that proceeds from it is full of trouble, uneasiness and disquiet.  As the love of God is sweet, peaceable and calm, so that care which proceeds from this love, even though it be for worldly goods, is yet amiable, sweet and agreeable."

St. Francis de Sales - Introduction to the Devout Life

from journal entry September 5, 2012.

Saint Francis de Sales - The Way to Undertake One's Affairs

I knew that there are no coincidences with God but now I am truly convinced.

My friend Mary who blogs at the beautifully and appropriately named blog The Beautiful Gate wrote about being a time glutton.  That particular post struck me because I have a tendency to multi-task too.

As I am going through my spiritual journals looking for an entry to share, I came upon the following:

"...undertake all your affairs with a calm and peaceable mind, and endeavor to dispatch them in order, one after another..."

Very wisely put, St. Francis de Sales.  Mahalo.

Quote from journal entry August 30, 2012.

A Prayer for what Mary wants for us

Grant me,

O Lord,

what the Blessed Virgin Mary asks for me;

for she loves me,

and wishes to see me saved,

and knows best what I need to obtain eternal happiness.

- original source not recorded

Journal entry May 5, 2013

Feast of the Annunciation

Thanks to the St. Damien Lenten retreat, we can enjoy this beautiful image of a Hawaiian Mary at the Annunciation by artist Calley O'Neil.  You can read more about this beautiful mural HERE.

Mary,

you received with deep humility

the news of the Angel Gabriel

that you were to be the Mother of God's Son;

obtain for me a similar humility.

Prayer Source:  St. Joseph People's Prayer Book

Prayer for a Discerning Heart

Lord, 

I am living in a wicked world, 

surrounded with dangers which lead to perdition.

I am like a child, 

not knowing how to walk on, 

or follow the true way.

Give, therefore,

to Thy servant an understanding

heart to discern between good and evil.

Make me understand how great an evil sin is,

and how great a good it is to love Thee above all things.

Give me a great hatred of sin and make me love Thee 

most ardently to the end of my life.

- Father Michael Mueller