The Cross of Difficult Trials

Posted byValerie Parisi July 16, 2023  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

Posted byValerie Parisi July 15, 2023  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

Posted byValerie Parisi July 14, 2023  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

Posted byValerie Parisi July 13, 2023  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

Posted byValerie Parisi July 12, 2023  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!

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

Posted byValerie Parisi July 10, 2023  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

Posted byValerie Parisi July 9, 2023  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!

Revealed To The Little Ones

Posted byValerie Parisi July 8, 2023  EditRevealed To The Little Ones

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

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Revealed to Little Ones- “Little One” Sunday

Mary: “Do not be passive about my Sacred Cause. It will be through the few, the little ones, and the humble that must begin this great outpouring of graces that will shake the world. None of those called must excuse themselves or refuse my invitation. All of you are my little instruments.” (Mary) (December 2, 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 little ones.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. (Matthew 11)

Prayer Meditation- Lord, I am so thankful to You. Because not only is it Mary’s time but it is our time if we are the little ones. And who are we the little ones? We are the ones who pray and sacrifice- not in some big prideful way, but quietly, with each Rosary, each Holy Hour, each little form of fasting or self denial no matter how small, each choice  to walk and pray in unity with You as we do our duties rather than to worry and give in to anxiety! Our Mother is Mary- we are consecrated to You through Her! Our sisters are St. Therese and St. Faustina as well as Elizabeth Kindelmann- they reveal to us Your tender merciful Heart, the Heart of the Gospel for our times. We are the little saints under Mary’s Mantle and with Her we will crush the head of the evil one (St. Louis Marie de Montfort). We have all been called to Your fighting force and like Gideon’s little army we will shake the world even if we may not see it individually in our lifetimes. Because each choice to gather those five smooth stones (Bible, Fasting, Confession, Rosary, Mass) is one choice closer to the giants that seem so big right now crashing to the ground! Lord thank You that You have revealed Your Divine Will to the little ones and we are all little ones if we surrender to You in humble trust! So let us celebrate today- it is “little one” Sunday!

Are You Ready For The New Wine?

Posted byValerie Parisi July 7, 2023  EditAre You Ready For The New Wine?

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

Saturday of the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Are You Ready For The New Wine?

Jesus: “I make you feel this way to prove to you that it is I who speak. Do not discard My request with a scorn. This disrespectful attitude causes indescribable sorrow. Take to heart My anguished and important desire, and that each one enters into himself and begins a new life. Draw from Me the strength to do that. (Jesus) (August 8, 1962)

Today’s Readings: The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much,
but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.” (Matthew 9)

Prayer Meditation: Lord, we thank You, we praise You and we adore You for Your Word today and this Gospel about the new thing (Isaiah 43:19)You have done in Redemption and what You are doing in Sanctification because You told Elizabeth Kindelmann on August 8, 1962 that the coming of the Kingdom should be our only purpose in life. It is so easy to get used to the way things have always been done. The Pharisees fasted a certain way and had over 600 laws about all aspects of life which were no longer necessary because You had come not to abolish the law but fulfill it (Matthew 5:17) and to fill us with the new wine of the Holy Spirit! You have called us all to new life in You but it is a constant process of dying and rising as we give You everything! At first it is giving up sins and then working on faults and developing virtue but even in those who have been walking with You a while there can be so many attachments, even to good and holy things, which may no longer be Your Will for us because You always have something new and something better! May we draw from You the strength to allow You to pour the wine of Your Spirit into our nothingness, fresh wineskins filled with all that You are longing to give us!