REFLECTIONS: This Reflections blog is a venue for me to just do that, REFLECT. It goes without saying that in many cases these reflections may express some religious thinking…FYI. In some cases they may reflect some family concerns as well. Reflections expressed in this blog are personal. I have no delusions of possibly swaying anyone else’s beliefs.
HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING, you need.
NOT the need to have EVERYTHING.
9.03.2019-Salvation options:
I’m the first to admit up until lately, I’d given little to no deliberation on salvation after death, after all, I was only in my 60’s then and I should to be around for several more years, so why worry! If it’s your feeling that you will be saved and Heaven will be there waiting for you to enter for the asking, that’s your choice and good luck with that. But as a Catholic I know I’ve stumbled and sinned throughout my life so thinking about life after death now is better than waiting until my judgment day. As a Catholic I know that sins are forgiven but erasing the sin still leaves a smudge on my soul. That smudge can only be cleaned up in Purgatory. So, the after-death consequence is out there and it should be at least looked at. Any options that are available that might minimize our stay in purgatory, which prepares and purifies us prior to our admittance in that Heavenly Kingdom, should be at least discussed. I’ve found a few options concerning this topic.
Option #1…The Brown Scapular;
What are, then the specific promises of Our Lady?
- Whoever dies clothed with the Scapular, will not suffer the fire of Hell.
- Our Lady will free from Purgatory persons wearing her scapular on the first Saturday after death.
- The Blessed Virgin assigned certain conditions which must be fulfilled:
- Wear the Brown Scapular continuously.
- Observe chastity according to one’s state in life (married/single).
- With permission of a priest, say five decades of Our Lady’s Most Holy Rosary”
click here for more information-Brown Rosary
Option #2…First Saturday Communions of Reparation
The essential elements of the practice of First Saturday Communions of Reparation
With the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart for these five offenses, we are asked to:
1. Go to confession
2. Receive Holy Communion worthily
3. Pray five decades of the Rosary
4. Keep Our Lady company for 15 minutes while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary
The Great Promise: Our Lady promised to assist all those who will practice the devotion of the first Saturday on five consecutive months with the graces necessary for salvation at the hour of their death.
Promise not a guarantee of heaven; It would be a serious mistake to think that those who practice the devotion on five consecutive First Saturdays are guaranteed passage into heaven when the moment of their death arrives. Our cooperation with grace is always required. A life-long devotion, not merely five First Saturdays The promise associated with the practice of the devotion on five consecutive First Saturdays has been mistakenly construed by many to mean that, once one has completed a series of five, they have accomplished the devotion and are finished. This was not Our Lady’s intention in making the promise, and has resulted in far fewer people practicing the devotion. Our regular practice of the First Saturdays is a sign of our devotion to the Immaculate Heart and a desire on our part to make reparation for the blasphemies against her.
Click here for info on 5-Sat. Devotion
Option #3…Devine Mercy Sunday
The remarkable grace of the Feast of Mercy is also very much akin to the grace of Baptism. The Sacramental grace of Baptism received by an adult is not only the removal of original sin but is also the forgiveness of all personal sins and any punishment due to them, so the soul cleansed on the Feast of Mercy is like the soul of one newly baptized in the promises mentioned, however, Christ joined the forgiveness of all sins and punishment to the Holy Communion received on the Feast of Mercy. In other words so far as that matter is concerned He raised it (the Holy Communion on the Feast of Mercy) to the rank of a “second Baptism.” To fittingly observe the Feast of Mercy it should be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. This Novena begins on Good Friday, for 2019 it’s on April 19th. The Feast should be preceded by a novena of Chaplets to the Divine Mercy beginning on Good Friday. (Leaflets are available in churches). For the computer astute individuals you may goto:
Click here togo to the Divine Mercy Novena online
A. Most churches have a special Divine Mercy Mass scheduled for the Sunday after Easter.
B. Confession and Communion. Confession should be as close as possible to the Feast.
C. An Act of Mercy should take place, such as merciful prayer- Prayers of Mercy for someone.
D. Merciful Deed- Any of the Corporal works of mercy (see below).
1. To feed the hungry;
2. to give drink to the thirsty;
3. to clothe the naked;
4. to harbor the homeless;
5. to visit the sick;
6. to visit the imprisoned;
7. to bury the dead.
Option #4- Chaplet of The Divine Mercy
The History of the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy
Courtesy of the: Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M
In 1935, St. Faustina received a vision of an angel sent by God to chastise a certain city. She began to pray for mercy, but her prayers were powerless. Suddenly she saw the Holy Trinity and felt the power of Jesus’ grace within her. At the same time she found herself pleading with God for mercy with words she heard interiorly:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world; for the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us. (Diary, 475)
As she continued saying this inspired prayer, the angel became helpless and could not carry out the deserved punishment (see 474). The next day, as she was entering the chapel, she again heard this interior voice, instructing her how to recite the prayer that our Lord later called “the Chaplet.” This time, after “have mercy on us” were added the words “and on the whole world” (476). From then on, she recited this form of prayer almost constantly, offering it especially for the dying.
In subsequent revelations, the Lord made it clear that the Chaplet was not just for her, but for the whole world. He also attached extraordinary promises to its recitation.
Encourage souls to say the Chaplet which I have given you (1541). Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death (687). When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge but as the Merciful Savior (1541). Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this Chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy (687). I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy (687). Through the Chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will. (1731)
Prayed on ordinary rosary beads, The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy is an intercessory prayer that extends the offering of the Eucharist, so it is especially appropriate to use it after having received Holy Communion at Holy Mass. It may be said at any time, but our Lord specifically told St. Faustina to recite it during the nine days before the Feast of Mercy (the first Sunday after Easter). He then added: “By this Novena, [of Chaplets] I will grant every possible grace to souls.” (796)
It is likewise appropriate to pray the Chaplet during the “Hour of Great Mercy” — three o’clock each afternoon (recalling the time of Christ’s death on the cross). In His revelations to St. Faustina, Our Lord asked for a special remembrance of His Passion at that hour.
The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy Novena
9.01.2019
This will be short. I know you’re saying, here he goes again, climbing into his literary pulpit. You’re right, but only as it pertains to our life, living in a motorhome. Fr. Paul’s sermon today encompassed the virtues of Humility and Wisdom. there’s not much I can say about “Wisdom” but as far as humility is concerned it’s a condition we must accept do to the limited living condition we must cope with each day. Living with fewer possessions and “stuff” is a positive step towards humility, at least some humility. One attribute Fr. Paul did not mention is “Happiness” through the pursuit of humility. With less to worry about and be concerned with, I feel, enhances everyone’s chances to enjoy true happiness.
8.28.2019
Just what everyone really needs, another blog topic. This blog and the other blog headings, in many ways, are my own personal shrink, town crier and, at times, political whip. Our trip to Iowa, unlike most of our journeys, involved a couple of personal challenges. But these challenges are not exclusively ours. Three percent of the population are full-timers living exclusively or, at least, almost exclusively homeless except for their motorhome, trailer or other RV. And yes; we all must meet the challenges our RVs or this life-style presents to us on a regular basis. But how often do we ever give thanks to Him for this awesome lifestyle. We do make sacrifices. To participate we must surrender a good portion of life’s stuff that, for so many years, gave us that feeling of security, accomplishment and, if you had a big enough home, pride in your life’s work and sacrifices. As a reward we are spared from paying property taxes, major home repairs, home improvements, that ever demanding garden and most of all the family lawn that occupies our every Saturday for nine months of the year. For the positive we get to keep and hand full of tee-shirts, 2-3 pairs of jeans, a tie we’ll never wear and possibly one suit or dress jacket for Christmas and Thanksgiving. In it’s own way it’s also a demanding life and demands patients. Being locked up in a 400 square foot tin can for sometimes several rainy days can be trying; we learn tolerance. But should there be more? Many of us feel very strongly that we deserve the luxuries of this lifestyle, after all we sold out our old way of living to enjoy the trappings of a depreciating home on wheels and every time we leave one location for another, it might be our last, accidents do happen but not that often with RVers.
I’ve been a little lost these last few months. Happy, yes, that’s for certain! A little proud that by the end of this year we will have covered just over eight-thousand miles this year, yes…absolutely!
But it’s a lifestyle that’s very self-serving. So many others, in stick and mortar homes, spend so much of their time giving back. Helping the kids, not likely with my kids though, and watching over others. I guess I’m feeling just a little guilty for having been given so much but not having given back that much in return… Just a little lost.
I will continue to look for opportunity to give back. A friend I’ve never met in person, a Brother you might say seems to have found direction in his life, though it might not be a good fit for me in this time and place, but I will continue to read and try to understand how I might find a niche that’s fits my current lifestyle. There should be something I could include in my life to repay Him for being so generous to Carla and me.
05.08.2025…… JOY leaves my world
Who would have guessed in about 6-years my Carla would be taken away from me.
I love and miss her so much.