Thursday, March 25, 2010

Thursday, March 25, 2010

(Annunciation)

Jesus said: “My people, I had prepared My Blessed Mother right from her Immaculate Conception to be without sin. It was her free will to follow My Divine Will in everything that she did, which is why she was without sin, even during her whole life. When the angel Gabriel appeared to her and asked her to be My Mother, she again gave her free will choice to follow God’s mission for her in salvation history. Her fiat ‘Yes’ allowed My Incarnation as a man when the Holy Spirit overshadowed her to conceive Me. This was a pivotal part in the beginning of My mission to eventually offer My life on the cross for all of mankind’s sins. This feast is purposely placed in the Church Calendar nine months before December 25 when My birth is celebrated at Christmas. Rejoice in our two hearts since I entrusted you in St. John to have My Blessed Mother be your mother also. My Blessed Mother is your intercessor for prayer since I always listen to My Blessed Mother’s wishes, even as I did at Cana in providing the wine. Rejoice in this feast of My Blessed Mother’s Annunciation because you are also celebrating My Incarnation as a man.”

Prayer Group:

Jesus said: “My people, artists choose to make My crucifix without much blood coming from My wounds. But if you look closely at the Shroud of Turin, you could see the wounds from the nails, the whip marks from metal thongs, the wounds from the crown of thorns, the lance mark in My side, and bruises on My shoulder and knees. The agonizing crucifix is closer to the true representation of what I suffered. This cross may be difficult to look at, but it is the reality of how cruel men beat Me and crucified Me. As you look on My suffering, you realize more how much I suffered for all of your sins. Give praise and thanks to Me that I was willing to die a difficult death so all of you would have the opportunity to be saved.”

Jesus said: “My people, I cried at the death of Lazarus, but his death was My opportunity to witness to life after death in your soul. By the power of God Lazarus was raised from the dead and it was then that I said: (John 11:25,26)‘I am the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me, even if he die, shall live; and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.’ I wanted to make people realize that your soul is immortal and it will live on forever. This is why you also need to seek heaven over hell by your actions because you will be held accountable at your judgment. One day My faithful will also be resurrected body and soul on the last day.”

Jesus said: “My people, My priests’ hands have been consecrated so they could offer up the bread and wine that is transubstantiated into My Body and Blood during the Consecration of the Mass. The Last Supper was a commemoration of the Passover when the Israelites were finally released from the slavery of the Egyptians after the last plague that killed their first born. My dying on the cross is My blood sacrifice to atone for all the sins of mankind. This was the First Eucharist that I instituted so you could have My sacramental Presence among you at Mass and in My tabernacle.”

Jesus said: “My people, this Sunday is joyful in giving glory to Me as I came into Jerusalem, but it is also sad when you hear the account of My Passion. Some even call this Passion Sunday instead of Palm Sunday. You have been bearing your fasting and extra prayers and penances during Lent, so soon you will see this come to an end on Easter Sunday. Learn from your Lenten devotions how you could do extra suffering for Me at any time during the year.”

Jesus said: “My people, this visiting of churches on Holy Thursday is an old tradition passed down the generations, and it is a sharing of the faith with your neighboring parishes. You can see how each church celebrates My Last Supper. Keep your prayers coming at each church and encourage your children to keep up your faith traditions. It may even be helpful to investigate the reasons for starting this tradition. Your focus that night is on My Blessed Sacrament, so continue your reverence for My consecrated Host of My Real Presence. This sacrament is not just a tradition, but My sacramental Presence is the core of your belief and why you attend Mass on Sunday.”

(Note.)As to customs, many families have a practice of visiting the tabernacles of three or seven nearby churches after the Mass on this day as a sort of 'mini-pilgrimage' (any nearby Catholic churches will do). Some families visit the churches directly after the evening Mass; others go home and wake up in the middle of the night to make the visits (though since churches are rarely open all night these days, this would be hard to do). The spirit of the visits to the churches is keeping vigil in the Garden of Gethsemani while Jesus prayed before His arrest. Matthew 26:36 'Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani; and he said to his disciples: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray.'

The tradition of visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday is an ancient practice, probably originating in Rome, where early pilgrims visited theseven pilgrim churchesas penance. They areSaint John Lateran,Saint Peter,Saint Mary Major,Saint Paul-outside-the-Walls,Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls,Holy Cross-in-Jerusalem, and traditionallySaint Sebastian Outside the Walls.Pope John Paul IIreplaced St. Sebastian with theSanctuary of the Madonna of Divine Lovefor thejubilee yearof 2000.

Jesus said: “My people, I used Judas’ betrayal for My purpose in offering My life for sinners, but this shows you man’s weaknesses in betrayal and how ruthless some people are just to obtain money for their evil deeds. Sometimes your friends may betray you for various reasons. Then you will know how I was hurt by Judas and even how I am offended by your sins as well. You need to be able to forgive those who have harmed you and be loving even of your enemies. Encourage love and peace in your own families with family prayer where possible. I do everything out of love for you, and you could do everything out of love for Me in return for My gifts of grace and life.”

Mary said: “My dear children, I thank you for all of your intentions and your rosaries as I have asked you to pray. You are blessed to have My Son’s Real Presence before you in your holy hour. I want to ask you to pray my Angelus prayers during the appropriate hours because this honors My Annunciation feast that you are honoring today. I treasured the years while I was bringing up My Son, but I was heart broken to have to see Him scourged and crucified. I know this was necessary for salvation, but losing your son is very difficult. I know you all have sufferings, so send your intentions to me and I will give them to My Son.”