If we pray to the Lord to forgive our sins, we must in turn forgive the sins of others. We must all stand before the judgment seat of God. We must all one day give an account of our own sins. We should therefore always serve the Lord with fear and awe.
We must constantly pray and be alert that we not be lead into temptation. Even in the midst of severe temptations, we should strive to make progress and hope to attain virtue. Judgment awaits all of us.
We should never become angry when we are corrected for doing something wrong or for our sins. Sometimes we are unconscious of the sins we commit because our hearts are of little faith. Futile desires often cloud our minds. However, we can rejoice if we keep God's commandments.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Prayers at the Foot of the Altar
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Witness
The Christian life necessarily involves persecution. We make enemies simply by calling ourselves Christian. There are many kinds of persecution, just as there are many kinds of martyrdom. We have a chance every day to be a witness to Christ.
For example, we are tempted by a spirit of fornication, but out of fear of the judgment of Christ we decide to maintain our purity of mind and body. We are thus a martyr for Christ. We may be tempted by the spirit of pride and ignore the poor and the needy. Instead we show compassion for them out of humility. We are thus a witness to Christ.
The greatest witness is simply acknowledging that Christ has come in the flesh and adhering to His commandments. If we hear and do not act, we deny Christ. The true witness is the one who hears God's commandments and keeps them.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
For example, we are tempted by a spirit of fornication, but out of fear of the judgment of Christ we decide to maintain our purity of mind and body. We are thus a martyr for Christ. We may be tempted by the spirit of pride and ignore the poor and the needy. Instead we show compassion for them out of humility. We are thus a witness to Christ.
The greatest witness is simply acknowledging that Christ has come in the flesh and adhering to His commandments. If we hear and do not act, we deny Christ. The true witness is the one who hears God's commandments and keeps them.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Our Lord
Open up the door of your heart to receive the Lord! Open up your soul to Him always! Receive Him into your mind and you will soon experience the richness of living a simple life, what it means to experience true peace, and know the feeling of true joy brought about by grace!
If you shut the door of your mind, you shut out Christ. Christ will never force Himself upon anyone, but rather He will always knock at the door awaiting His time of entry. Blessed is the man at whose door Christ stands and knocks.
When does Christ most often knock at your door? He visits those who are tempted in order to save them from being overwhelmed by their temptations and trials. When the members of His body are in distress Christ is always near.
Open up to Him; He wants to enter.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
If you shut the door of your mind, you shut out Christ. Christ will never force Himself upon anyone, but rather He will always knock at the door awaiting His time of entry. Blessed is the man at whose door Christ stands and knocks.
When does Christ most often knock at your door? He visits those who are tempted in order to save them from being overwhelmed by their temptations and trials. When the members of His body are in distress Christ is always near.
Open up to Him; He wants to enter.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Monday, September 20, 2010
Repentance II
The first stage of repentance is admitting one's own sins. When we condemn our own sins the Lord will always forgive us. Furthermore, condemning our own sins makes us less likely to commit them again. We must also stop dwelling on those who have done us harm, or our enemies. We must control our anger and forgive other's sins against us. "For if you forgive your debtors, your heavenly Father will forgive you."
We must also constantly pray from our hearts and be willing to practice charity at all times. We should strive to live a modest, humble life in the Lord. We are always capable of forgiving, being humble, praying and condemning our own sins.
Let us always strive to turn back to the Lord.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
We must also constantly pray from our hearts and be willing to practice charity at all times. We should strive to live a modest, humble life in the Lord. We are always capable of forgiving, being humble, praying and condemning our own sins.
Let us always strive to turn back to the Lord.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Temptation
The scriptures remind us that God chastises every son He acknowledges. If we find ourselves excluded from sufferings or chastisements, than we are not among God's numbered sons. God even chastised His only Son. If God did not spare even His own Son who was without sin from punishment, how could He not punish we who are adopted sons who are with sin?
We must prepare ourselves and expect temptations in this life. Scripture also remnids us that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength. We must not be afraid of temptations because God will never abandon us. God rebukes but He also encourages, He brings fear but He also brings consolation. We must never refuse the healing nature of our God.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
We must prepare ourselves and expect temptations in this life. Scripture also remnids us that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength. We must not be afraid of temptations because God will never abandon us. God rebukes but He also encourages, He brings fear but He also brings consolation. We must never refuse the healing nature of our God.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Christian Perfection
We all have a responsibility to seek holiness in our lives regardless of the state of life we have chosen to live. For a mother of five children, holiness means something different than that of a cloistered religious. No matter what our vocation, the life of a Christian involves what we do, what we say and what we think. Thought comes first, then words because our words express what is inside. Finally, after thoughts and words come actions. What we do is the result what the mind has conceived. We must therefore make sure that all our thoughts, words and actions are controlled by Christ.
We must constantly examine our thoughts, words and actions to make sure they are all directed toward Christ, rather than turned away from Him. For example, if our thoughts, words, or deeds are a result of our passion, they will not be in harmony with Christ. On the other hand, if they are free from any passionate inclination, we can be sure they are directed toward Christ, who is the source of our peace.
Christian perfection consists in observing all the things which express the meaning of Christ's name. We must bring out this meaning in our thoughts, our prayers and the way we live.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
We must constantly examine our thoughts, words and actions to make sure they are all directed toward Christ, rather than turned away from Him. For example, if our thoughts, words, or deeds are a result of our passion, they will not be in harmony with Christ. On the other hand, if they are free from any passionate inclination, we can be sure they are directed toward Christ, who is the source of our peace.
Christian perfection consists in observing all the things which express the meaning of Christ's name. We must bring out this meaning in our thoughts, our prayers and the way we live.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Prophecy of Simeon
"And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed." Luke 2:34-35
The Flight into Egypt
"And after they (the wise men) were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise and take the child and His mother and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy Him. Who arose and took the child and His mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and He was there until the death of Herod." Matt: 2:13-14.
The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple
"And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the Child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and His parents knew it not. And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking Him." Luke 2:43-45.
The Meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross
"And there followed Him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented Him." Luke 23: 27.
The Crucifixion
"They crucified Him. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, His Mother. When Jesus therefore had seen His Mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, He said to His Mother: Woman: behold thy son. After that he said to the disciple: Behold thy Mother." John 19: 25-27
The Taking Down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross
"Joseph of Arimathea, a noble counselor, came and went in boldly to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And Joseph buying fine linen, and taking Him down, wrapped Him up in the fine linen." Mark 15: 43-46
The Burial of Jesus
"Now there was in the place where He was crucified, a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein no man yet had been laid. There, therefore, because of the Pasch eve of the Jews, they laid Jesus, because the sepulcher was nigh at hand."
John 19: 4l-42
"And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed." Luke 2:34-35
The Flight into Egypt
"And after they (the wise men) were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise and take the child and His mother and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy Him. Who arose and took the child and His mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and He was there until the death of Herod." Matt: 2:13-14.
The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple
"And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the Child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and His parents knew it not. And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking Him." Luke 2:43-45.
The Meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross
"And there followed Him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented Him." Luke 23: 27.
The Crucifixion
"They crucified Him. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, His Mother. When Jesus therefore had seen His Mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, He said to His Mother: Woman: behold thy son. After that he said to the disciple: Behold thy Mother." John 19: 25-27
The Taking Down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross
"Joseph of Arimathea, a noble counselor, came and went in boldly to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And Joseph buying fine linen, and taking Him down, wrapped Him up in the fine linen." Mark 15: 43-46
The Burial of Jesus
"Now there was in the place where He was crucified, a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein no man yet had been laid. There, therefore, because of the Pasch eve of the Jews, they laid Jesus, because the sepulcher was nigh at hand."
John 19: 4l-42
Thursday, September 9, 2010
The World
"They are not of the world, as I also am not of the world" (John 17, 16). Such was the prayer of Jesus to His Father regarding His Apostles. The Apostles, the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints lived in a spirit of aversion toward the things of this world.
The world consists of both malice and folly and these two qualities are why the holy ones learned to hate the world. Changing fashions and styles are a clear indication of worldly folly. We should guard against getting caught up in worldly habits, dress and always succumbing to the changing environment. Christ said: "You are the salt of the earth" (Matt. 5, 13).
We have a responsibility as Christians to be the wisdom and the "wise" people of this earth, otherwise we become "salt which has lost its savour."
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
The world consists of both malice and folly and these two qualities are why the holy ones learned to hate the world. Changing fashions and styles are a clear indication of worldly folly. We should guard against getting caught up in worldly habits, dress and always succumbing to the changing environment. Christ said: "You are the salt of the earth" (Matt. 5, 13).
We have a responsibility as Christians to be the wisdom and the "wise" people of this earth, otherwise we become "salt which has lost its savour."
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
The Blessed Virgin Mary III
Today is the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We must worship and adore God because of His infinite love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. God from all eternity had great plans for the Blessed Virgin. Today is a day to rejoice with the Mother of God in all the favors conferred upon her by Almighty God. Today is a day to thank the Blessed Trinity in their immense love for her.
When we have a true devotion to the Mother of God we must know that this devotion is none other than a reflection of the same love, respect and submission with which Christ Himself honored her while He walked the earth. We also honor the Blessed Virgin Mary because of the perfection with which God bestowed upon her. We venerate her because of the service and honor she herself gives to the Almighty God. Finally, we acknowledge Mary because of the powerful blessings we receive through her intercession.
We should offer the Blessed Virgin Mary our body, soul, heart, mind and very life. We must also pray that we lead others to the same sentiments. The most efficacious means, however, of honoring the Blessed Virgin is to imitate her virtues. We must be humble and submit to the will of God in our lives. We must be pure and have a hatred for sin in all forms. We must show our love for God by our charity toward one another. We must be patient, meek, and zealous for the Kingdom of God.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
When we have a true devotion to the Mother of God we must know that this devotion is none other than a reflection of the same love, respect and submission with which Christ Himself honored her while He walked the earth. We also honor the Blessed Virgin Mary because of the perfection with which God bestowed upon her. We venerate her because of the service and honor she herself gives to the Almighty God. Finally, we acknowledge Mary because of the powerful blessings we receive through her intercession.
We should offer the Blessed Virgin Mary our body, soul, heart, mind and very life. We must also pray that we lead others to the same sentiments. The most efficacious means, however, of honoring the Blessed Virgin is to imitate her virtues. We must be humble and submit to the will of God in our lives. We must be pure and have a hatred for sin in all forms. We must show our love for God by our charity toward one another. We must be patient, meek, and zealous for the Kingdom of God.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Friday, September 3, 2010
Sacred Heart II
Consider that our Lord Jesus Christ has chosen to remain always with us in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar in order to share His infinite love and treasures with us. By giving Himself to us, Christ has willed to give us the very Source of these blessings. It is only in the Blessed Eucharist that we are able to find every possible kind of blessing.
Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament imparts His blessings at all times and on everyone who approaches Him. "Come to me all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you." (Matt. 11:28). God in His infinite love and mercy chooses to acknowledge our infirmities and weaknesses. He in turn gives Himself to us as our nourishment and consolation in order to give us strength and combat our evils.
It isn't enough for our Lord to give us His Sacred Heart as a symbol of His infinite love. He also wishes to be our strength and defense against all the efforts of our enemies. Today it is good to meditate on the question: What could Christ possibly give to us that He hasn't already given when he gives us Himself in the Eucharist?
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Jeffery A. Fasching
Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament imparts His blessings at all times and on everyone who approaches Him. "Come to me all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you." (Matt. 11:28). God in His infinite love and mercy chooses to acknowledge our infirmities and weaknesses. He in turn gives Himself to us as our nourishment and consolation in order to give us strength and combat our evils.
It isn't enough for our Lord to give us His Sacred Heart as a symbol of His infinite love. He also wishes to be our strength and defense against all the efforts of our enemies. Today it is good to meditate on the question: What could Christ possibly give to us that He hasn't already given when he gives us Himself in the Eucharist?
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Jeffery A. Fasching
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Sacred Heart
"I am forgotten as one dead from the heart." (Psalm 30:13). Christ suffered harsh treatment from His own people the Jews, the Gentiles and also heretics. All these classes of people caused Christ much pain, but they were all His open enemies. Harsh treatment was likely expected from them. But could one think it possible that even those who profess being faithful to Him would not have sympathy for all this harsh treatment?
Imagine the sentiments of Christ and His tender, Sacred Heart which has infinintely loved men, but has found in the hearts of those same men only coldness and even contempt! Tomorrow is the first Friday of the month. Let us make a firm resolution to give the Sacred Heart of Jesus proof of our gratitude and love. Let us renew our devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let us be more respectful toward His presence in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Let us visit Him more frequently.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Imagine the sentiments of Christ and His tender, Sacred Heart which has infinintely loved men, but has found in the hearts of those same men only coldness and even contempt! Tomorrow is the first Friday of the month. Let us make a firm resolution to give the Sacred Heart of Jesus proof of our gratitude and love. Let us renew our devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let us be more respectful toward His presence in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Let us visit Him more frequently.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
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