LONG LIVE GENEROUS HEARTS

Today we are invited to reflect on the importance of being generous, regardless of whether we are rich or poor. The generosity of a person is not measured by the amount one gives, but by the disposition which prompts the giving.

There are many ways of being rich, just as there are many ways of being poor, for material wealth and money are not the only factors that determine what a person can offer. But the highest form of richness and generosity is that loving disposition toward others which, like an inexhaustible fountain, gives its very best without asking for anything in return.

Such spiritual richness will never be affected by any economic crisis because its “shares” are bonded with the abundant bank of God. In this Eucharist let us ask for this grace for ourselves and all the people dear to us.


In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”

NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART: JUBILEE SHRINE

NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART

JUBILEE SHRINE

As of October 2, 2009, First Friday of the month, the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart was declared a JUBILEE SHRINE, officiated by the Archbishop of Manila; Cardinal Gaudencio B. Rosales at a concelebrated Mass at 7:30 that morning.

The honor is granted to this Church for being a National Shrine of the Sacred Heart, this year being declared a Year of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, plus being the Year of the Priests (150th death anniversary of St. John Vianney, Cure of Ars - Parish Priest of Ars).

To gain the plenary indulgence, all who visit the Shrine must be in the state of grace, receive Holy Communion, and say the following prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father (Pope Benedict XVI) and Priests: Apostles Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and the invocations: Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have mercy on us; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us; St. John Marie Vianney, Pray for us.

The indulgences obtained may be for oneself or passed on to our beloved dead. More detailed information on how to obtain plenary indulgences can be read here.

GLORY TO THE SAINTS OF ALL TIMES

The celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints is a wonderful opportunity to give glory to God for the abundance of holiness in the Church, and to honor all the heroes and heroines of the Christian faith.

The “canonized saints” are only the tip of the iceberg – the iceberg of Christian holiness which comprises millions of holy people whose names are not found in the calendars. They performed no miracles, nor did they enjoy any supernatural apparition. They were only “ordinary Christians” – just as we are. The only thing that was “extraordinary” in them was their faithful love for God and generous love for people.

Their success is an encouragement to all of us, ordinary faithful who share with them the sincere desire to “go to heaven.” All we have to do is follow their style – to live our ordinary lives loving God and neighbor to the best of our ability and thereby making of our lives a beautiful gift for the Lord. The beatitudes as taught by Christ defines the lifestyle one can adopt to live a saintly life that is acceptable and pleasing to God while transforming our relationship with others into a harmonious fellowship as "future saints of heaven".


When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

CHALLENGE TO BE COMPASSIONATE LIKE JESUS

"GO YOUR WAY, YOUR FAITH HAS SAVED YOU."

This last Sunday of October is also the last Sunday of the Month of the Rosary and of the Missions. We continue praying for our missionaries, offering for them our rosaries and our material support.

But today is also Prison Awareness Sunday. The prisoners are people we often forget and, perhaps, we do not want to think about. But they are still our brothers and sisters who, like everybody else, need our compassion, understanding, and prayer.

Let us keep this in mind as we offer this Eucharist for all those who are serving prison sentences, those who are doing their best to assist them, and all the personnel in our penitentiaries.

At the same time, deriving encouragement from the compassionate attitude of Jesus toward Bartimaeus, we seek the Lord’s help for our personal needs and for the needs of all mankind. In this Eucharistic celebration, we will adapt the request of the blind man from Jericho and implore, “Lord, let us see the wonders of your love!”

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging.

On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me!” Many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” Bartimaeus threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately the man received his sight and followed Jesus on the way.

CALLED TO SERVE WITH SELFLESS LOVE

Today we observe World Mission Sunday – a day devoted to prayer and generous solidarity in favor of our brave brothers and sisters who are preaching the Gospel and witnessing to Christ’s love in the foreign missions. They are doing this in response to a special call from the Lord.

In their apostolic labor they have become the “servants of all,” especially of those who are poor, sick, or neglected in whatever way. That is why their mission is not only to preach the Gospel, but also to make it come alive through hospitals, schools, and other forms of helps to development. For the success of their mission they trust not only in God’s grace but also in our prayers and generosity. Let us make this Eucharist a moment of special solidarity with all missionaries.


James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

They said to him, “We can!” Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.

Jesus summoned the Twelve and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

FIFTEEN PRAYERS OF ST. BRIDGET TO OUR SUFFERING LORD JESUS CHRIST

THE FIFTEEN PRAYERS OF ST. BRIDGET 
TO OUR SUFFERING LORD JESUS CHRIST

For a long time, St. Bridget wanted to know the number of wounds Our Lord received during His Passion. He one day appeared to her and said, “I received 5,480 blows on My Body. If you wish to honor them in some way, say 15 Our Fathers and 15 Hail Marys with the following Prayers (which He taught her) for a whole year. When the year is up, you will have honored each one of My Wounds.” 

FIRST PRAYER 

1 OUR FATHER

(Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.)

1 HAIL MARY

(Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.)

O Jesus Christ! Eternal Sweetness to those who love Thee. Joy surpassing all joy and all desire. Salvation and Hope of all sinners. Who hast proved that Thou hast no greater desire than to be among men, even assuming human nature at the fullness of time for the love of men, recall all the sufferings Thou hast endured from the instant of Thy Conception and especially during Thy Passion, as it was decreed and ordained from all Eternity in the Divine Plan. Remember, O Lord, that during the Last Supper with Thy disciples, having washed their feet, Thou gavest them Thy Most Precious Body and Blood and while at the same time Thou didst sweetly console them, Thou didst foretell them Thy coming Passion.

Remember the sadness and bitterness which Thou didst experience in Thy Soul as Thou Thyself bore witness saying, “My soul is sorrowful even unto death.” Remember the fear, anguish and pain that Thou didst suffer in Thy Delicate Body before the torment of the Crucifixion, when, after having prayed three times, bathed in a sweat of blood. Thou wast betrayed by Judas, Thy disciple. Arrested by the people of a nation Thou hadst chosen and elevated. Accused by false witnesses. Unjustly judged by three judges during the Flower of Thy Youth and during the Solemn Paschal Season. Remember that Thou wast despoiled of Thy Garments and clothed in those of derision. That Thy Face and Eyes were veiled. That Thou wast buffeted, crowned with thorns and a reed placed in Thy Hands. That Thou was crushed with blows and overwhelmed with affronts and outrages. In memory of all these pains and sufferings which Thou didst endure before Thy Passion on the Cross, grant me before my death, true contrition, a sincere and entire confession worthy satisfaction and the remission of all my sins. Amen.

SECOND PRAYER

1 Our Father ...
1 Hail Mary ...

O Jesus! True Liberty of Angels, Paradise of Delights, remember the horror and sadness which Thou didst endure when Thy enemies, like furious lions, surrounded Thee and by thousands of insults, spits, blows, lacerations and other unheard of cruelties, tormented Thee at will. In consideration of these torments and insulting words, I beseech Thee, O My Savior, to deliver me from all my enemies, visible and invisible and to bring me under Thy Protection to the perfection of Eternal Salvation. Amen. 

THIRD PRAYER

1 Our Father ...
1 Hail Mary ...

O Jesus! Creator of Heaven and earth. Whom nothing can encompass or limit. Thou who dost enfold and hold all under Thy Loving Power, remember the very bitter pain Thou didst suffer when the Jews nailed Thy Sacred Hands and Feet to the Cross by blow after blow with big blunt nails and not finding Thee in a pitiable enough state to satisfy their rage, they enlarged Thy Wounds and added pain to pain and with indescribable cruelty, stretched Thy Body on the Cross, pulled Thee from all sides thus dislocating Thy Limbs. I beg of Thee, O Jesus, by the memory of this most Loving Suffering of the Cross, to grant me the Grace to fear Thee and to love Thee. Amen.

FOURTH PRAYER

1 Our Father...
1 Hail Mary...

O Jesus! Heavenly Physician, raised aloft on the Cross to heal our wounds with Thine. Remember the bruises which Thou didst suffer and the weakness of all Thy Members which were distended to such a degree that never was there pain like unto Thine. From the Crown of Thy Head to the Souls of Thy Feet, there was not one spot on Thy Body that was not in torment and yet, forgetting all Thy Sufferings, Thou didst not cease to pray to Thy Heavenly Father for Thy enemies saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Through this Great Mercy and in memory of this suffering, grant that the remembrance of Thy Most Bitter Passion may effect in us, a perfect contrition and the remission of all our sins. Amen.

FIFTH PRAYER

1 Our Father...
1 Hail Mary...

O Jesus! Mirror of Eternal Splendor, remember the sadness which Thou experienced when contemplating in the Light of Thy Divinity, the predestination of those who would be saved by the Merits of Thy Sacred Passion, Thou didst see at the same time, the great multitude of reprobates who would be damned for their sins and Thou didst complain bitterly of those hopeless lost and unfortunate sinners. Through this Abyss of Compassion and Pity, and especially through the Goodness which Thou displayed to the good thief when Thou didst say to him, “This day, thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.” I beg of Thee, O Sweet Jesus, that at the hour of my death, Thou wilt show me Mercy. Amen.

SIXTH PRAYER

1 Our Father...
1 Hail Mary...

O Jesus! Beloved and Most Desirable King, remember the grief Thou didst suffer, when naked and like a common criminal, Thou was fastened and raised on the Cross. When all Thy friends abandoned Thee, except Thy Beloved Mother, who remained close to Thee during Thy Agony and whom Thou didst entrust to Thy faithful disciple when Thou saidst to Mary, “Woman, behold thy son!” and to St. John, “Son, behold thy Mother!” I beg of Thee, O My Savior, by the sword of sorrow which pierced the soul of Thy Holy Mother, to have compassion on me in all my trials and tribulations, both corporal and spiritual, and to assist me in all my trials, and especially at the hour of my death. Amen

SEVENTH PRAYER

1 Our Father...
1 Hail Mary...

O Jesus! Inexhaustible Fountain of Compassion. Who by a profound gesture of Love, said from the Cross, “I thirst!” Suffered from the thirst for the salvation of the human race. I beg of Thee, O My Savior, to inflame in our hearts the desire to tend toward perfection in all our acts and to extinguish in us the concupiscence of the flesh and the ardor of worldly desires. Amen.

EIGHT PRAYER

1 Our Father...
1 Hail Mary...

O Jesus! Sweetness of Hearts, Delight of The Spirit, by the bitterness of the vinegar and gall which Thou didst taste on the Cross for Love of us, grant us the grace to receive worthily, Thy Precious Body and Blood during our life and at the hour of our death, that They may serve as a remedy and consolation for our souls. Amen.

NINTH PRAYER

1 Our Father...
1 Hail Mary...

O Jesus! Royal Virtue, Joy of the Mind, recall the pain Thou didst endure when, plunged in an ocean of bitterness at the approach of death, insulted, outraged by the Jews, Thou didst cry out in a loud voice that Thou wast abandoned by Thy Father, saying, “ My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Through this anguish, I beg of Thee, O My Savior, not to abandon me in the terrors and pains of my death. Amen.

TENTH PRAYER

1 Our Father...
1 Hail Mary...

O Jesus! Who art the beginning and end of all things, life and virtue, remember that for our sakes, Thou was plunged in an abyss of suffering from the Soles of Thy Feet to the Crown of Thy Head. In consideration of the enormity of Thy Wounds, teach me to keep, through pure love, Thy Commandments, whose way is wide and easy for those who love Thee. Amen.

ELEVENTH PRAYER

1 Our Father...
1 Hail Mary...

O Jesus! Deep Abyss of Mercy. I beg of Thee, in memory of Thy Wounds which penetrated to the very Marrow of Thy Bones and to the Depth of Thy Being, to draw me, a miserable sinner, overwhelmed by my offenses, away from sin and to hide me in Thy Wounds until Thy anger and just indignation shall have passed away. Amen.

TWELFTH PRAYER

1 Our Father...
1 Hail Mary...

O Jesus! Mirror of Truth, Symbol of Unity, Link of Charity, remember the multitude of wounds with which Thou wast covered from head to foot, torn and reddened by the spilling of Thy Adorable Blood. O Great and Universal Pain which Thou didst suffer in Thy Virginal Flesh for the love of us! Sweetest Jesus! What is there that Thou couldst have done for us that Thou hast not done?! May the Fruit of Thy Sufferings be renewed in my soul by the faithful remembrance of Thy Passion, and may Thy Love increase in my heart each day until I see Thee in Eternity. Thou who art the treasury of every real good and every joy, which I beg Thee to grant me, O Sweetest Jesus, in Heaven. Amen.

THIRTEENTH PRAYER

1 Our Father...
1 Hail Mary...

O Jesus! Strong Lion, Immortal and Invincible King, remember the pain which Thou didst endure when all Thy Strength both moral and physical, was entirely exhausted, Thou didst bow Thy Head saying, “It is consummated!” Through this anguish and grief, I beg of Thee Lord Jesus, to have mercy on me at the hour of my death when my mind will be greatly troubled and my soul will be in anguish. Amen.

FOURTEENTH PRAYER

1 Our Father...
1 Hail Mary...

O Jesus! Only Son of the Father, Splendor and Figure of His Substance, remember the simple and humble recommendation Thou didst make of Thy Soul to Thy Heavenly Father saying, “Father, into Thy Hands, I commend My Spirit!” And with Thy Body all torn, Thy Heart broken and the Bowels of Thy Mercy open to redeem us, Thou didst expire. By this Precious Death, I beg of Thee, O King of Saints, comfort me and help me to resist the devil, the flesh and the world, so that being dead to the world, I may live to Thee alone. I beg of Thee, at the hour of my death, to receive me, a pilgrim and an exile returning to Thee. Amen.

FIFTEENTH PRAYER

1 Our Father...
1 Hail Mary...

O Jesus! True and Fruitful Vine, remember the abundant outpouring of Blood which Thou didst so generously shed from Thy Sacred Body as juice from grapes in a wine press. From Thy Side, pierced with a lance by a soldier, Blood and Water issued forth until there was not left in Thy Body a single drop and finally, like a bundle of myrrh, lifted to the top of the Cross, Thy Delicate Flesh was destroyed, the very Substance of Thy Body withered and the Marrow of Thy Bones dried up. Through this bitter Passion and through the outpouring of Thy Precious Blood, I beg of Thee, O Sweet Jesus, to receive my soul when I am in my death agony. Amen.

CONCLUSION

O Sweet Jesus! Pierce my heart so that my tears on penitence will be my bread day and night. May I be converted entirely to Thee. May my heart be Thy perpetual habitation. May my conversation be pleasing to Thee and may the end of my life be so praiseworthy, that I may merit Heaven and there with Thy saints, praise Thee forever. Amen.


For more on the life, the prophecies and revelations of St. Bridget of Sweden, please visit www.prophecyfilm.com

THE QUEST FOR THE REAL RICHES

"GO SELL WHAT YOU HAVE, AND GIVE TO THE POOR,
AND YOU WILL HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN;
THEN COME, FOLLOW ME."

Material riches are not an evil in themselves. They become a blessing if we keep our hearts detached from them and use them generously to help those in need. Then we are also spiritually rich, and our generosity becomes liberating for us and uplifting for its beneficiaries.

But material wealth becomes a curse when it destroys the sensitivity of those who allow themselves to be dominated by the craving for it. Woe to us if we allow material riches to possess our hearts! We would soon find ourselves in a state of spiritual bankruptcy.

Let this Eucharistic celebration remind us of the superiority of the spiritual values and give us the grace to use our material resources according to God’s plan.

Today, Indigenous Peoples’ Sunday, we are also expected to remember and pray for the original inhabitants of the Philippines. We are exhorted to recognize and respect their rights and to love them as our brothers and sisters in Christ.

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments:

You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness.
You shall not defraud.
Honor your father and your mother.”

The man replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

At that statement the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”

They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”

Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters, or mother or father, or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands – with persecutions! – and eternal life in the age to come.”

FAMILY: CRADLE OF LIFE AND LOVE

"LET THE CHILDREN COME TO ME; DO NOT PREVENT THEM,
FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD BELONGS TO SUCH AS THESE."

Today’s liturgical readings remind us that the family is the first and basic institution of human society. Its nature and purpose are inscribed in the very makeup of man and woman who are incomplete in themselves. This is why they need the help of “the other half” to reach their full potentials and satisfy their affective, emotional, and physical needs.

Unfortunately, sin has sown in many families the seeds of selfishness and unfaithfulness, which lead to most painful breakups. Jesus, who came to restore all aspects of our life to their original integrity, today reminds us of God’s plan for the human family and enjoins all to keep it the way God designed it to be. Thus let us remember in our prayers all families.

Tomorrow is World Teachers’ Day. As we celebrate this Eucharist, let our prayers for all teachers express our gratitude for the countless ways they have touched our lives.

The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?”

They replied, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”

In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them.