Thy Kingdom Come

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

Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

Thy Kingdom Come

“Each night, My little one, ask yourself what you have done for the coming of My Kingdom. Never be content with yourself. There is no room on earth for self-satisfaction. (Jesus) (August 28, 1962)

Today’s Readings: Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come,
Jesus said in reply,
“The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed,
and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’
For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” (Luke 17)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, sometimes I think, maybe because we have gotten so used to being entertained, that we expect Your Kingdom to be only big things. Thunder and lightning, fire and brimstone, some event that will come and really shake things up. And yes, someday, You will make all things new and there will be a new Heaven and a new Earth. Lord we are in the time of now but not yet. Because Your Kingdom of God is among us and has been since the Incarnation. Emmanuel- God with us! It is so easy to get discouraged in the darkness of living in the world because we are not yet seeing clearly (1 Corinthians 13). But Lord, You are among us in Your Word, in prayer, in the Sacraments, and in the “sacrament” of the present moment every moment of our lives. It is so easy to be complacent and accept mediocrity, but Lord help us to never be content but to seek You in all things so that we can then bring Your Kingdom to so many that are in desperate need of You!

Gratitude to the God Who Loves Us in Every Moment

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

Memorial of Saint Josaphat

Gratitude to the God Who Loves Us in Every Moment

On one occasion, when Elizabeth needed bread, Jesus did her a special favor. Jesus said, “Leave now. You must get bread for your family.” I had forgotten this completely. With deep gratitude, I thanked Him that His attention extended also to our earthly needs. (Elizabeth) (February 14, 1965)

Today’s Readings: “Ten were cleansed, were they not?

Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” (Luke 17)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, how often are we like the lepers who just went on their merry way after being healed. Every day You shower Your Grace on us and we barely notice. Even worse, we grumble, murmur, and complain (Philippians 2) as we go about our day and our duties! We have bad attitudes. Yet You care about us and are concerned for us in every moment of our day- from the small temporal concerns to the big problems we think are so insurmountable Your Eyes never leave us. Lord, help us in each moment to be grateful and to thank You for all things great and small today!

Fire Tried Gold

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

Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours

Fire Tried Gold

So now, the drops of oil squeezed from your sufferings float on top of the fountain of My graces. See how your drops of oil are shining upon the mirror of silvery water! They shine like pure gold. This vision flows from My Divinity. You also find it beautiful, do you not? Immerse yourself in this beauty.” (Jesus) (November 17-18, 1964)

Today’s Readings: Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; (Wisdom 2)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, sometimes it is so difficult to see the value of our suffering, the really hard times and hard things, the “chastisements” of our lives if you will. For whom You love You chastise (Hebrews 12:6-7).  Illness, failures, loss of loved ones, children off course, and yes, even our sins. And yet Lord we know that You bring all things together for good for those who love You! And that You try us like fire tried gold and make a masterpiece of our sufferings so that they shine for all Eternity in the light of Your Grace! O Lord may we always see the beauty in Your Will for us trusting that You will take us to Yourself where we will shine for all Eternity!

He Knows It All

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

Memorial of Saint Leo The Great

He Knows It All

As a working mother with six children, burdened with a thousand preoccupations, you needed enormous effort to study. You surprised yourself by becoming the top student. Although you did not think of Me, My hand was upon you.” (Jesus) (November 10, 1962)

Today’s Readings: O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar. (Psalm 139)

Prayer Meditation- Lord there is not anything in our lives that you do not know. Not a moment when we have struggled in our daily lives that You have not seen and do not understand. You know everything we will do, think and say and all we have done in the past. We do not think of You, but Your Hand is always upon us. Lord, help us surrender to You- may our feet journey together today and everyday  aware of Your Presence and Your Loving Call on our lives!

Streams of Living Water

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

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Streams of Living Water

This stream of water is My grace which purifies, which destroys when need be, or saves and gives life. It must run because God wills it. (Jesus) (June 15, 1964)

Today’s Readings: There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most -High.
God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed;
God will help it at the break of dawn. (Psalm 46)

Prayer Meditation- Lord today we honor the Lateran Basilica, a symbol of The Church as Mother and Bride. We read in the first reading from Ezekiel today about the water flowing from every side, watering the river bank resulting in fresh fruit that serves for both food and medicine for our souls. This river, this living water is the Sacraments. The Blood and Water which flowed from Your Pierced Side, Your living water purifies, destroys when need be, and saves and gives life. Lord, keep us close to Your Bride, The Church and to fill us with Your Living Water that we may never thirst again! (John 4).

Small Matters

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

Saturday of the Thirty First Week of Ordinary Time

Small Matters

You are a small instrument, just like the little match that you hold in your hand. Do not be surprised by what I tell you. With one strike of the match, I will enkindle in millions of souls the Flame of Love of My Mother.” (Jesus) (January 16, 1966 )

Today’s Readings: The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; (Luke 16)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, sometimes You trust us with small matters first. We ask You to use us or to be kind and loving to others and those small opportunities come to us in unexpected ways. The whining child who is on our last nerve but really needs a hug more than anything. The elderly person in front of us in the express check out with twenty items when we are running late. The coworker who needs five minutes of our time because their life is falling apart and they really need to talk but we are on a strict deadline. How many times Lord have we failed in those situations- been impatient, lost our cool, or been too busy. But Lord if we let You use us in these small matters we can be the spark that enkindles the Flame of Love in the hearts of those around us. Lord help us always be attentive to small matters so that You can then trust us with great ones for Your Glory!

We Are The Lord’s (Seeking the Lost)

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

Thursday of the Thirty First Week in Ordinary Time

We Are The Lord’s (Seeking the Lost)

All during this time, the Lord’s presence fills me to such a degree that my soul is lifted above my bodily activities, because my soul remains next to the Lord without any interruption.(Elizabeth) (July 17, 1965)

Today’s Readings: For if we live, we live for the Lord,
and if we die, we die for the Lord;
so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. (Romans 14)

Prayer Meditation- Today Lord, we have a treasure trove of readings. Because You remind us every day that we are Yours! In the Psalm (Psalm 27) we are reminded to wait for You with courage and be stouthearted. In the Gospel  (Luke 15) we are reminded that You seek the lost. Lord we are all lost and You never stop seeking us. Lord, St. Paul reminds us that whether we live or we die we belong to You- we are the Lord’s! Help us Lord today to hold onto that promise and may we walk in Your Presence today and help us to remember that we are never truly lost if we turn to You in total trust and surrender.

Renounce What?

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

Wednesday of the Thirty First Week in Ordinary Time

Renounce What?

Yet Our Lord kept urging me, “Renounce yourself completely.” (Elizabeth/Jesus) (1961-1962)

In the same way,
every one of you who does not renounce all his possessions
cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14)

Prayer Meditation- Lord today we read the terms of discipleship in today’s Gospel. On the surface, especially to our modern ears, it seem rather harsh. Hate our families? Count the cost because we might not have what it takes? Renounce all possessions? Really who does this? But Lord as we meditate on Your life and Your Passion we see Your total self -emptying so that we can be free from sin and death. And we can look to the Blessed Mother and to the lives of the saints. So yes, there are people, our brothers and sisters in faith, who did live lives of renunciation. But really Lord, what does this look like- I believe the key is trust and surrender. Nothing must come before You- we are to be free from all attachments but we cannot free ourselves. Only You can set us free. So, Lord we bring ourselves to You empty handed- putting first the Kingdom of God because all the things we truly need will be given us besides (Matthew 6:24-34). So let us not worry or feel discouraged because You want us to succeed in our spiritual lives more than we do! Jesus we trust in You!

Rejoicing and Weeping

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

Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo

Rejoicing and Weeping

“I am grateful to you because your heart suffers with Me, and beats in Me. I was alone and since you were not coming, I came to you. I rejoice to be with you. I am grateful for the number of times you think about Me.” (Jesus) (March 4-7 1962)

Today’s Readings: Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep. (Romans 12)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, the Christian life is one of unity. We are part of You, our Head, and part of Your Mystical Body. That includes those here in the Church Militant as well as in Purgatory in the Church Suffering and in Heaven in the Church Triumphant. At any given time, members will be rejoicing and members will be weeping. Because we are united to Your Sacred Heart, we are able to love others with Your Love. This verse has always been one of my favorite in describing Christian life- if we rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep we are truly accompanying others making it much harder to be judgmental or indifferent. Lord, help us to console Your Sacred Heart by consoling others that Your love would reach all who are dear to You.

The Gift And Call Of The Lord

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

Monday of the Thirty First Week of Ordinary Time

The Gift and Call of The Lord

Elizabeth accepted the call: I tried with all my strength. Afterward, everything fell into place drawing me closer to Him. He kept urging me. (Elizabeth) (1961-1962)

Today’s Readings: Brothers and sisters:
The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.

Just as you once disobeyed God
but have now received mercy
because of their disobedience,
so they have now disobeyed in order that,
by virtue of the mercy shown to you,
they too may now receive mercy.
For God delivered all to disobedience,
that he might have mercy upon all. (Romans 11)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, we all have a call on our life- a call that is irrevocable. You do not revoke Your gifts and Your love from us ever but in Your Mercy You keep calling us to follow You. It is we who do not listen- we drown out Your gentle voice with all the noise in our lives. Yet Lord, no matter how far we have strayed from Your dream for our lives, like the prodigal son, You are always ready to welcome us home! Let us reflect today on the gift and call on each one of our lives- when have we heard or felt it, when have we run away from it, and how have You showed us mercy as we return to You with a humble and contrite heart. Lord may we all know that You have a plan for our lives and that You never give up on us while we have breath!