Take Courage

Posted byValerie Parisi August 7, 2023  EditTake Courage

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

Memorial of Saint Dominic

Take Courage

“My little one, take courage and gaze at Me. May our eyes look at each other and our glances melt in one another.”  (Jesus) (Compendium Page 50)

Today’s Readings: At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” (Matthew 14)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, You call us out upon the waters, the great unknown where feet may fail! We want to come out to walk with You, but we so often can’t keep our eyes above the waves. Lord help us not to doubt, why do we have so little faith? Call us Lord like You called Peter and command us to come to You- may our glances melt in one another as we keep our eyes fixed on You, the only one who walks with us through the storms of our life.  You will never let us sink when we look down if we but call Your Name! Lord, may our humble prayer be Your Command!

Bringing What We Have

Posted byValerie Parisi August 6, 2023  EditBringing What We Have

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

Monday of the Eighteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Bringing What We Have

“You are the smallest, the most ignorant and the least meritorious soul that I ever found so as to bring these graces. In spite of that, through your littleness and humility, I want to send forth my messages.” (Mary) (January 14, 1963)

Today’s Readings: But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” (Matthew 14)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, we so want to do Your Work but we have so little to give.- just a couple loaves of bread and a couple fishes. Our smallness, ignorance, and our lack of ability to do anything on our own can feel so limiting. How can we feed the thousands who need You, or even those close to us who are far from You! Yet Lord You choose the weak of the world to confound the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27). You use us, broken earthly vessels, to be conduits of Grace as You multiply the little we have – You fill the wicker baskets to overflowing when we rely and trust in You! Lord help us to know that at each moment of our day You are with us- multiplying the little we have to give for Your Glory today for the salvation of souls.

Rise And Do Not Be Afraid

Posted byValerie Parisi August 5, 2023  EditRise And Do Not Be Afraid

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

Feast of the Transfiguration

Rise And Do Not Be Afraid

Because your soul has been purified of the anguish of doubts, you now have been given the power to rise to the heavenly Father and be immersed in the delightful and joyful contemplation of the Holy Trinity. (Jesus) (October 23-24, 1963)

Today’s Readings: But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone. (Matthew 17)

Prayer Meditation- Lord today we meditate on the Transfiguration. Peter, John, and James see You in the Your Glory. Peter nervously tries to enter the conversation with You, the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) but really the Apostles are scared to death and have no idea what is going on. In so many ways, when faced with Your Glory and Your Majesty, we can be the same. And yet, You call us- Our God first and foremost but also Our Friend to rise and not be afraid especially in these turbulent times. You call us to be purified of doubt and fear and to rise to You in confidence and trust! Let us raise our eyes and see no one but You alone- reign in all the Earth Jesus!

Slouching Down The Slippery Slope

Posted byValerie Parisi August 4, 2023  EditSlouching Down The Slippery Slope

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

Slouching Down The Slippery Slope

“Don’t let laziness have power over you. This sin is the root of every evil that enters your soul. Get rid of this horrible sin that leads to despair and which you do not even want to hear about.” (Jesus) (August 7, 1962)

Today’s Readings: The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. (Matthew 14)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, Herod may have been many things but what caused him to order the murder of an innocent man was human respect. The opinion of others, of not wanting to be embarrassed or make waves causes us to go along with all kinds of evil. Oh no not us we say but let us examine ourselves truthfully because it is very easy to go along with the crowd when topics come up at work, or decisions have to be made in the family, or we know we will be standing alone and we are too fearful to be “that person”. Lots of times  it is laziness and indifference that gets in the way because it is really just plain hard work to swim against the tide. We all feel like we are drowning and sinking and before we know it we are on the slow fade to compromise. Lord, we know we are nothing without You- we can do absolutely nothing without You! But You have asked us in Matthew 10 not to be afraid and that You know every hair on our head! Help us Lord to take up our crosses daily, even the hard ones, knowing You are the one who is doing the heavy lifting.

Is Not His Mother Mary?

Posted byValerie Parisi August 3, 2023  EditIs Not His Mother Mary?

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

Memorial of Saint John Vianney

Is Not His Mother Mary?

“My Mother, you must speak in my favor because I am miserable and a nobody. They do not pay attention to me even though I bring your words. What can I do? O Mother, again I ask that you be the one who speak. Your Divine Son promised that you would confirm what I do. I beg you, Most Holy Mother, act so that they pay attention to your constant pleas. Also, Mother, I am being consumed and I suffer because the priest you sent me to has not accepted your request.” (Mary) (May 17, 1962)

Today’s Readings: Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. (Matthew 13)

Prayer Meditation- O Lord we thank You and praise You and adore You because You have allowed Elizabeth Kindelmann to experience what You experienced which is rejection of what is just too familiar. The hometown boy come back to the synagogue and the local widow who everyone knows as a simple mother and grandmother have much in common. As a matter of fact those of who have tried to get the Flame of Love message out to family, friends, coworkers, parishioners may have experienced the same thing! Because how can someone so familiar and ordinary like us be the bearers of a mission from You? And yet it is the meek who will inherit the Earth and it is exactly the “little ones” who You are seeking to be “Our Lady’s little rabble” who You have called for Your purpose. So let us compassionate You Lord because most people, especially the religious people, went on to reject You. Let us know how blessed we are to suffer for the Name (Acts 5) and for Our Lady’s Cause because we can be confident that You are spinning all of these contradictions into pure gold for the salvation of souls. St John Vianney, patron of parish priests pray for us!

Glory Cloud- How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place!

Posted byValerie Parisi August 2, 2023  EditGlory Cloud- How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place!

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

Thursday of the Seventeenth Week of Ordinary Time

Glory Cloud- How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place!

Each morning, present to Me the offering of your sacrifices; place it at the door of My tabernacle, it will ignite at the fire of My love. During the day, let not the flame of your sacrifices fade away. See to it that the love of many victim souls rise up to Me, and through My intercession, obtain the mercy of the heavenly Father.” (Jesus) (May 1962)

Today’s Readings: In the daytime the cloud of the LORD was seen over the Dwelling;
whereas at night, fire was seen in the cloud
by the whole house of Israel
in all the stages of their journey. (Exodus 40)

Prayer Meditation- O Lord we bless You, we adore You and we praise You because the Israelites saw Your Glory in the Dwelling of the meeting tent. The Cloud guided them by day and the fire, the fire of Your Love was with them at night. And today we can worship Your Glory in every tabernacle in the world even unto the end of time! And unlike the Israelites we can approach You and worship You without fear! (Luke 1) in every Catholic Church. Each morning Lord let us offer You our sacrifices at the door of Your tabernacle and we can do so not only for ourselves but for everyone past, present, and future because the fire of Your Love will burn ever more brightly as we unite our little acts of love to the Love that will never let us go! How lovely is Your Dwelling Place, O Lord Mighty God! (Psalm 84).

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

Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week of Ordinary Time

Pearl of Great Price

“Divine Sculptor, form me in Your image and

likeness, so that at the hour of my death You recognize the work of Your holy hands. O blessed

Divine Hand that carves and caresses at the same time. My soul burns with desires when You

say that You need my sacrifice. What a great distinction! I bless You, beloved Jesus, and exalt

You without end.” (Elizabeth) (September 1, 1962)

Today’s Readings: Jesus said to his disciples:

“The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,

which a person finds and hides again,

and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant

searching for fine pearls.

When he finds a pearl of great price,

he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.” (Matthew 13)

Prayer Meditation- Lord as we have recently honored St. Ignatius of Loyola who gave up everything in his past for the pearl of great price. We all have these big holes in our hearts until we abandon ourselves to You! As St. Augustine said, our hearts are restless until we rest in You! Lord, some of us grew up in the Church and some of us may not have and some of us wandered in darkness and confusion or we may have wandered off the path.  And when we found You, especially in the Sacraments and Your One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, we left everything to follow You!  Because You never give us on us and You never let us go! Lord, like St. Ignatius, may we fill our minds with spiritual reading including the Bible so that You may form us into Your likeness. Mother Mary, as St. Louis Marie de Montfort has taught us, place us in Your mold as we strive to live for Jesus!

One Scarred Hand To The Other

Posted byValerie Parisi July 31, 2023  EditOne Scarred Hand To The Other

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

Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori

One Scarred Hand to the Other

“How good of You to come! Truly, You do not despise me. Because I am a sinner, You double Your strength in me. What goodness, what limitless compassion You have for a repentant sinner.” (Elizabeth) (November 22, 1962)

Today’s Readings: As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him. (Psalm 103)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, it is difficult to take in sometimes Your Mercy and Your Compassion. How far is it really from the East to the West? Because all we see are our faults, failings, and sins. Somehow, we are never going to measure up we think. The really great news, the best news ever is that the work has already been done! You love us and forgive everything inside of us when we repent- truly Your Ocean of Mercy drowns all of it if we ask forgiveness. You especially come to meet us and to heal us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. So, what are we waiting for- how far is it from the East to the West. One scarred hand to the other!

From Small Things Big Things Someday Come

Posted byValerie Parisi July 30, 2023  EditFrom Small Things Big Things Someday Come

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

Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola

From Small Things Big Things Someday Come

“Through your smallness and ignorance, and above all through your humility, we want to put our Holy Cause into action through you. Be careful, do not let vainglory come near. That is why I am bringing it to your attention: be very humble, work hard at it. In this way, your efforts will come together.” (Mary) (August 30, 1963)

Today’s Readings: Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the ‘birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.’” (Matthew 13)

Prayer Meditation: Lord, You are not looking for the learned and the wise but the little ones (Matthew 11) to advance Your Kingdom on Earth! We are small, ignorant even, and most days it seems like we have no clue but Lord help us, through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother to be humble and work hard according to our state in life so that the Kingdom will be alive and growing in us!

All Things Work For Good

Posted byValerie Parisi July 29, 2023  EditAll Things Work For Good

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

Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

All Things Work For Good

Now that He spoke to me after a long time, a great joy filled my soul. The spiritual dryness had lasted for so long and my misery had kept me tied to the ground. I accepted this willingly because it was for the good of my soul.(May 1962)

Today’s Readings: Brothers and sisters:
We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.(Romans 8)

Prayer Meditation- Lord in life there are seasons, seasons of dryness, seasons of circumstances that can seem to last so long they keep you tied to the ground. And it is so easy to turn inward and not turn our eyes to Heaven. And yet we know in the good times on the mountaintop and the hard times in the valley You are always there and You never leave even when it seems we cannot find You! It can be hard but we know You allow all things for the good of our souls because all things work for good for those who love You Lord and are called according to Your purpose! And we can hang on Your Word and Your Promises because You are the pearl of great price and You are worth everything we own and are as long as we possess the Kingdom. Fiat Jesus, Thy Will be done!