It Starts With A Yes And Ends With A Crown

Posted byValerie Parisi August 21, 2023  EditIt Starts With A Yes And Ends With A Crown

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

It Starts with a Yes and Ends with a Crown

Yes, my little one, we will put out fire with fire: the fire of hatred with the fire of love. (Mary) (December 6, 1964 )

Today’s Readings: Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1)

Prayer Meditation- Today we celebrate the Queenship of Mary, Our Mother. Lord, She gave Her Yes, not knowing what would lie ahead but in humble trust and faith! As the first disciple She gained the Crown and lives in Heaven with You, interceding for us, more Mother than Queen (St. Therese). Today, if we have the opportunity, let us pray all four mysteries with Mary, from Her Yes to Her Crown, and let us follow Her and imitate Her virtues as we meditate on Your Incarnation Lord knowing that we will live forever with You in following this sure path!

The Heart Of God

Posted byValerie Parisi August 20, 2023  EditThe Heart Of God

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Memorial of Saint Pius X

The Heart of God

“I broke forth in tears. This increased my sorrow for sins. Who would not cry in the presence of such goodness and kindness? In the silence, He remained next to me and then left. “Rest in peace. I am going to look for hearts.” (Jesus/Elizabeth) (September 1, 1963)

Today’s Readings: Many times did he rescue them, but they embittered him with their counsels. Yet he had regard for their affliction when he heard their cry. (Psalm 106)

Prayer Meditation- Lord today in the Readings we see Your Heart. Because despite our falling away again and again and again You never give up on us. We go after all kinds of things instead of the One Thing that can fill that great big hole in our hearts! Yet when we cry in our affliction, You hear us and You always give us a way out and a way forward. You do not turn Your back ever on those who turn back to You. I like to think the Rich Young Man in today’s Gospel who could not let go of the one thing that kept him enslaved remembered that day that You looked on him with love not with regret at the end of his life but with thanksgiving because that was the day he knew he had to give you everything and he eventually responded generously to Your call on his life. Lord let that be the choice we make as we let go of the one thing that keeps us from You!

Scraps From The Table

Posted byValerie Parisi August 19, 2023  EditScraps From The Table

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Scraps From The Table

I did not dare go to the Lord’s Table even though the person next to me took me by the arm and said, “Come on, let’s go.” (Elizabeth) (1961-1962)

Today’s Readings: She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.(Matthew 15)

Prayer Meditation- O Lord You know this Gospel is very personal for me today. You see, I was a Methodist and not a particularly good one, when sixteen years ago I came begging for scraps when my daughter was critically ill. Lord, what You want from us is lively faith, perseverance, boldness at the Throne of Grace! It may seem like what we are hearing is a no- like You don’t hear or us or don’t care but Lord, like this lady, I would not take no for an answer! I told You I would do anything if You would just walk with me- our feet have been journeying together ever since! Well now I am Catholic and involved in ministry- another story for another day! I would like to think the Canaanite Woman also became a disciple and brought along friends and family!

As For Me And My House We Will Serve The Lord

Posted byValerie Parisi August 18, 2023  EditAs For Me And My House We Will Serve The Lord

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Saturday of the Nineteenth Week of Ordinary Time

As For Me and My House We Will Serve The Lord

“It is to the warm solidarity of the family sanctuary that souls come back to, after having strayed far. It is there that they come to find themselves and they once more return to God. It is necessary for you, mothers, to extend the warm understanding of your hearts to your children even after they have established their own homes. (Jesus) (January 17, 1964)

Today’s Readings: If it does not please you to serve the LORD, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24)

Prayer Meditation- Lord in these days where the culture seems against us and families can be so divided, we are comforted in knowing that You love each and every one of our family members, especially the prodigals and that You never give up on them. You have asked us as mothers and fathers to stay faithful to our vocation, to keep our homes and our hearts open because we have trained our children in the way that they should go and You have promised that when they are older ,they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22). Even if we are less than perfect, if we but ask, You fill in those deficiencies with Your Grace if we bring all of these problems to You. So let us believe and declare that yes, as for me and my house we shall serve the Lord! Mama Mary keep us all safe under Your Mantle until all find their way home!

Cities We Did Not Build

Posted byValerie Parisi August 17, 2023  EditCities We Did Not Build

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Friday of the Nineteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Cities We Did Not Build

Time is short, little sister, and never returns. What you do not accept at a given moment will never again become available to you, because I think that you would not receive it willingly. On everything you do, place the mark of your love and the seal of your decision. Do everything with a selfless love. In this way, you will joyfully share in My work of Salvation. (Jesus) (July 24, 1963)

Today’s Readings: “I gave you a land that you had not tilled
and cities that you had not built, to dwell in;
you have eaten of vineyards and olive groves
which you did not plant. (Joshua 24)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, we glorify You, worship You and adore You because You are so generous. You give us everything we need and we do not have to work for it or earn it- You give us everything we need for our salvation and the salvation of others. Lord, You ask us to accept many things- You bring us daily inspirations, You speak to us in Your Word and through others but are we listening? Are we willing to do everything we do with selfless love to save souls? Lord You have given us everything- let us return love for the Love that knows no limits when it comes to loving us!

As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us

Posted byValerie Parisi August 16, 2023  EditAs We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Thursday of the Nineteenth Week of Ordinary Time

As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us

As a Man, I experienced every type of suffering, and I walked the road of sorrow motivated by the hope I had in all of you. I saw many infidelities as well as your loving commitment. It was your commitment which motivated Me, and even today it still moves Me to mercy and forgiveness. Whenever I encounter one righteous soul, I forgive many. Therefore, do penance so that My hope placed in you may produce for you the fruit of salvation.” (Jesus) (December 15, 1963)

Today’s Readings: Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. (Matthew 18)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, like the servant in the parable, we owe a debt we cannot possibly pay. We will never be able to earn our own salvation! And Lord, if we repent, You will forgive and forget- as far as the East is from the West, You will throw our transgressions away! (Psalm 103:12). Lord we know this ,but like this servant we forget the next part- we are to forgive others as we have been forgiven and we are to do this as often as they sin against us. Because Lord, we have been forgiven everything and we walk in Your Grace! Lord let us walk today in the sweet freedom from the chains of resentment, anger, and unforgiveness- Lord grant us the necessary grace to love others with Your Heart of Mercy today!

Blessed Be God Who Filled My Soul With Fire

Posted byValerie Parisi August 15, 2023  EditBlessed Be God Who Filled My Soul With Fire

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Blessed Be God Who Filled My Soul With Fire

The fire of charity is burning me and I want only what the Lord wants. I have no fear of being deceived by the Evil One. (Elizabeth) (September 18, 1965)

Today’s Readings: Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire! Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing praise to the glory of his name; proclaim his glorious praise. Say to God: “How tremendous are your deeds (Psalm 66)

Prayer Meditation- Today Lord we sing the psalm response- Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire! It is the fire of Your charity which makes us want what You want and love what You love! It is only Your Love which gives value to our actions- perfect love drives out all fear  (1 John 4:18)including the fear in our times which keeps us from truly loving You and others because we become too focused on ourselves especially when we are sick or hurting. Lord fill our hearts with Your burning charity and help us to love You through the Immaculate Heart of Mary!

Blessed Are They That Believe

Posted byValerie Parisi August 14, 2023  EditBlessed Are They That Believe

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Blessed Are They That Believe

‘If each Christian saved just one soul, no one would be lost.’” (Jesus) (January 15, 1964)

Today’s Readings:

Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Luke 1)

Prayer Meditation- O Lord blessed is She who believed and followed You. Blessed in Her Glorious Assumption into Heaven where she intercedes for us! O Lord may we believe and act on Your Word like Our Blessed Mother. Let us never doubt that our prayers in union with Mary in the Rosary are the weapon for our time and for saving souls! Lord we believe Your Word today- help us to follow You!

He Grants Peace

Posted byValerie Parisi August 13, 2023  EditHe Grants Peace

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation-A Daily Dose Of The Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe

He Grants Peace

“As you see, I am honoring you again.

At your request, I come to bless your family and the whole neighborhood. I have brought My peace. Trust! Do not give way to discouragement! (Jesus) (April 14, 1964)

Today’s Readings: He has granted peace in your borders; with the best of wheat he fills you. He sends forth his command to the earth; swiftly runs his word! (Psalm 147)

Prayer Meditation- Lord today we read in the readings about the God who provides, who takes care of His Children. You brought Your people to the promised land and granted them peace in their borders and filled them with the best of wheat! Lord You came to save us and redeem us, to bless us and take care of us even in the smallest things as we see in today’s Gospel about the temple tax and the fish with the coin. Lord, let us not be discouraged but trust in You as You continue to pour Yourself out in Your Word and in the Sacraments, including daily in the Most Holy Eucharist! Lord, bring us Your Peace Lord today and every day!

In The Whispers-Not The Noise

Posted byValerie Parisi August 12, 2023  EditIn The Whispers-Not The Noise

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

In The Whispers- Not The Noise

That same day, the Lord Jesus also spoke in the great silence of my soul. His voice was like a whisper: Jesus: “Be careful, My little one. Renounce yourself entirely. Give yourself totally to Me. You know that I want no evil to enter your heart. With My sufferings, I paid a great price for you, for your soul. Let nothing make you lose the graces which I am constantly giving you. Be careful. The Evil One wants to enter without notice and, as a ravaging animal, destroy the powers of your soul.” (Jesus) (May 17, 1962)

Today’s Readings: A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains
and crushing rocks before the LORD—
but the LORD was not in the wind. 
After the wind there was an earthquake—
but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 
After the earthquake there was fire—
but the LORD was not in the fire. 
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. 
When he heard this,
Elijah hid his face in his cloak
and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. (1 Kings 19)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, today we live in a lot of noise. There is the constant din of the media and opinions all of which can do nothing but confuse and make us anxious. We may even try to interpret the signs of the times in terms of war and chaos and catastrophe. And yet Lord, You are not in the earthquake, You are not in wind, and You are not in the fire. But You are in the silence and in the whispers that You constantly speak to our battered souls. And while we drown like Peter in today’s Gospel (Matthew 14) whenever we take our eyes off You, You will always lift us up when we call out Your Name so that we can let go of the noise and the baggage.