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Flame of Love

Like A Little Child — July 18, 2023

Like A Little Child

Like A Little Child

Posted byValerie Parisi   EditLike A Little Child

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

Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Like a Little Child


But just as the heavenly Father took the Child Jesus under His protection, so does He now protect my Flame of Love.” (Mary) (May 19, 1963)


Today’s Readings: At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. (Matthew 11)


Prayer Meditation- Lord, sometimes we feel that we need to learn and know more and more, even when it comes to the faith. But without You we cannot rely on our own understanding (Proverbs 3). You can reach us best when we surrender like little children in absolute trust. Then what seems hidden to the world is revealed into our hearts as we rest on Yours! Lord Jesus, You came to Earth as a little baby- dependent on God the Father and on Your earthly parents who lived childlike faith and trust. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, we love You, save souls!

Woe To Us? — July 17, 2023

Woe To Us?

Woe To Us?

Posted byValerie Parisi   EditWoe To Us?

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

Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Woe to Us?

My beloved Jesus, I want to repent of my sins and to love You more than any repentant sinner. My beloved Jesus, in the future, I ask that not one day goes by without my love causing me tears of repentance. Humble me, Lord Jesus, every moment of my life, so I always see myself as poor and sinful. O my Lord Jesus, my heart shudders when I think that I can live with You on this earth and then, after my death, be separated from You for a short time because of my sins. Tell me, O sweet Jesus, what will I do with my innumerable sins?” (Elizabeth) (1961-1962)

Today’s Readings: Jesus began to reproach the towns
where most of his mighty deeds had been done,
since they had not repented.
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!
For if the mighty deeds done in your midst
had been done in Tyre and Sidon,
they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes.
But I tell you, it will be more tolerable
for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. (Matthew 11)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, we praise You and thank You and glorify You for Your Gospel today. Because we read about the towns in the Gospel that had seen Your Mighty Deeds and they did not convert. It is so easy to think that Gospel is all about those hard hearted people long ago but really if we look in the mirror, we know it is also about us. We have been given every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1) in our one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church including the Most Holy Eucharist and how many either do not believe, do not attend, or just take it all for granted. Even daily Mass attenders can easily take what they are receiving each day for granted. Even when the Churches shut down and reopened, where was the hunger among most of the faithful to return to The Sacraments? So many are now comfortable watching the Mass on TV. And yet this is the time that we who are paying attention need to repent of our sins and come to You in humility knowing we are poor and sinful. We need to do this for ourselves and we need to do it for others who have not repented. Because blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God! (Matthew 5). So let us not hear woe, a terrifying word that we never want to hear from You, but let us turn in faith, hope, and trust for mercy, salvation, and sanctification for our souls and for all souls because the Kingdom is coming!

The Cross of Difficult Trials — July 16, 2023

The Cross of Difficult Trials

The Cross of Difficult Trials

Posted byValerie Parisi   EditThe Cross of Difficult Trials

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

Monday of the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time

The Cross of Difficult Trials

Listen, my daughter, you are also the mother of a large family. Through your children you know all the pains and problems of a family. Many times you were close to falling beneath the cross of difficult trials, and you still experience many sorrows over your children. Bearing such ordeals is meritorious for you and for any mother. (Mary) (November 19, 1962)

Today’s Readings: Jesus said to his Apostles:

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s enemies will be those of his household. (Matthew 10)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, how many families today have conflict and today You promise us a sword- often our own “enemies” may be in our own household. Lord, You know all the pains and problems of a family and the sorrows that fill the hearts of so many mothers and fathers today over our children. The crosses of these difficult trials can threaten to overwhelm us and yet we know we do not carry our burdens alone! Lord, may our feet journey together as we take up our crosses confident that You will give us the rest we seek because Your yolk is easy and Your burden light! (Matthew 11). Mother Mary take us by the hand and place our families under Your Mantle so that the Flame of Love would be ignited in their hearts!

Sown Among Thorns — July 15, 2023

Sown Among Thorns

Sown Among Thorns

Posted byValerie Parisi   EditSown Among Thorns

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

Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Sown Among Thorns

I spent the whole day filled with anxieties. At night, as I went to adore the Lord, I thought in the midst of my uncertainty: “My God, what is going on with me? Where have I allowed myself to be led? What is true? What is now in me or what was there before?” (Elizabeth) (March 4-7, 1962)

Today’s Readings: The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,
but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word
and it bears no fruit. (Matthew 13)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, here we are again with the Parable of the Sower. It was Your first parable so it is very important. The same Word proceeds from Your Mouth, not to return void but to achieve the end for which You sent it (Isaiah 55). Because You are the same yesterday, today and forever! (Hebrews 13). But how are we receiving it? I believe that at times in my life I have been the soil on the path not paying any attention to Your Word and the rocky soil that wants to sing Hallelujah at hearing Your Word but cannot stand up to the scrutiny of the world, thus not letting anything take root, as I would return to whatever was popular at the time. That would be my younger years but what really describes many of us all too often, even followers of You Lord, is the third soil. So many of us, me included, are just too full of anxiety to let anything take root, especially these days with so much turmoil in the world. And I believe more than ever, we are presented with a choice because You need us all in right now! So do we keep choosing to let the thorns in our gardens choke the Word in our hearts and just let our emotions and our fears  in these days take over?  Or do we allow You finally, no matter how painful this pruning may be, to rid us of these thorns and brambles so that we can produce the fruit You have intended us to produce from the beginning of time. You told Saint Faustina that the greatest obstacles to holiness are discouragement and exaggerated anxiety. So let us pray the prayer given to us by You which concludes the Divine Mercy Chaplet- Eternal God in who mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us that in difficult moments we might not despair, nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your Holy Will which is Love and Mercy itself!

Meant For Good — July 14, 2023

Meant For Good

Meant For Good

Posted byValerie Parisi   EditMeant For Good

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

Memorial of Saint Bonaventure


Meant for Good


For a long time, He allowed me to feel His presence filled with goodness and majesty. As an insignificant person, really less than nothing, I felt great emotion. I could only babble: “Depart from me, O Lord, I am a great sinner.” (Elizabeth) (August 16, 1962)


Today’s Readings: Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve his present end, the survival of many people. (Genesis 49)


Prayer Meditation- Lord, we have been reading all week about Joseph who was left for dead by his brothers then sold into slavery. But You had plans for him- plans for hope and a future and not for harm. (Jeremiah 29:11). You meant everything for good for Joseph and You mean that for us too no matter how difficult life may seem or circumstances may be. All things work together for good for those who love You (Romans 8:28). We are less than nothing and yet You hold us all in the Palm of Your Hand!

Taking Delight In The Lord — July 13, 2023

Taking Delight In The Lord

Taking Delight In The Lord

Posted byValerie Parisi   EditTaking Delight In The Lord

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

Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Taking Delight in The Lord

“Understand the ardent longing of My Divinity that I want to satisfy here with you. I delight to be with you because I feel that every beating of your heart is Mine.” (Jesus) (February 26, 1964)

Today’s Readings: Trust in the LORD and do good, that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security. Take delight in the LORD, and he will grant you your heart’s requests. (Psalm 37)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, help us to delight in You- to know we are fully known and fully loved! Help us to trust in You more and more and know that You want only our good! That You delight to be with us and to live in our hearts! Lord Jesus please breathe in our breathing and beat in our heartbeats because we are all Yours!  Jesus, we love You and know that You will grant our heart’s requests in line with Your Most Holy Will which is love and mercy itself!

Let Your Peace Return — July 12, 2023

Let Your Peace Return

Let Your Peace Return

Posted byValerie Parisi   EditLet Your Peace Return

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

Thursday of the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Let Your Peace Return

“I feel compassion for you. My little one. I see your great efforts. Do not think they are in vain. I bless your family greatly. I free them from the Evil One who disturbs the family peace. Just trust in Me.” (Jesus) (August 3, 1962)

Today’s Readings: As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you.(Matthew 8)

Prayer Meditation- Lord it seems that peace can be so hard to find these days. So many things can disturb our peace and peace in our homes- troubles within and without. We make efforts to be peacemakers but it seems sometimes to be in vain. How easily we let our peace leave us- and that is where we lose the battle. Because Lord, You tell us in today’s Gospel that we are to let our peace return to us- circumstances may not always be as we would have them but none of that should ever allow us to lose our peace. That is because You are our peace! Lord, we know You see all and You have compassion on us- Lord bless us and our families greatly as we trust in You!

Going To The Lost Sheep — July 11, 2023

Going To The Lost Sheep

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

Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Going To The Lost Sheep


“I first entrusted to you the abundance of my graces. Only a mother can

truly share my sorrows. I am the Mother of Sorrows, I suffer greatly because of the souls being

lost. (Mary) (November 19, 1962)


Today’s Readings: Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,

“Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.

Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'” (Matthew 10)


Prayer Meditation- Lord, in our vocations we have all been given a mission. To seek the lost and to proclaim the Kingdom. It is not reserved for just priests or missionaries. We are now being called, in these critical times, in our vocations as mothers and fathers and lay people to pray, sacrifice, and intercede for others in union with You and the Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary! Lord may we answer Your Call- Come Holy Spirit, Come by the means of the power of the Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary!

Wrestling With God — July 10, 2023

Wrestling With God

Wrestling With God

Posted byValerie Parisi   EditWrestling With God

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

Memorial of Saint Benedict


Wrestling With God


I felt that immersing myself in the Most Holy Trinity was the only way to avoid giving up forever the exhausting struggle, which despite everything I did, refused to leave my soul. (Elizabeth) (October 23-24, 1963)


Today’s Readings: The man then said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go until you bless me.” The man asked, “What is your name?” He answered, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be spoken of as Jacob, but as Israel, because you have contended with divine and human beings and have prevailed.” (Genesis 32)


Prayer Meditation- Lord, we all have our times when we feel like we have gone a few rounds with You in the ring of our lives. We all strive for holiness and perfection- a lot of times that is the problem because we are trying to do it all in our own strength. And so, we struggle and we wrestle- our wills continually trying to prevail in a match we will never win. Lord, help us to surrender to You and to rest in You because this continual struggle is just exhausting. Because You are the God who will hold us and keep us steady even as we strive mightily to wriggle away. As in the Gospel of today (Matthew 9), Your heart is moved with pity for us, You are nothing but love and mercy! Lord help us not to give up in our struggles but like Jacob let us come boldly to You asking blessing from the God who is Our Father who loves us without limit!

Courage — July 9, 2023

Courage

Courage

Posted byValerie Parisi   EditCourage

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


Monday of the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Courage


Jesus said, “My little one, take courage and gaze at Me. May our eyes look at each other and our glances melt in one another.” (Jesus) (January 14, 1963)

Today’s Readings: Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured. (Matthew 9)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, we can feel so afraid, like the woman with the hemorrhage for twelve long years in today’s Gospel, to approach You and yet like her, we know You are our only hope. And You invite us, not turning us away, but calling us closer and closer saying to us courage, your faith has saved you! Like the Psalm today, You gather us under the shadow of Your Wings, You are our refuge and fortress, Our God in whom we trust! (Psalm 91). Let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace (Hebrews 4) with courage and trust!