Incorruptible!

     Glorious are the Scriptural passages set to the music composed by George F. Handel! I have always delighted in listening to (and singing along with) Handel's Messiah at Christmas and Easter. My favorite recording is the breathtaking choral performance by the Cambridge Singers and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by John Rutter. This clear and absolutely marvelous rendition of the Messiah comes with a lovely summary of the history of its composition. Joyful and perfectly balanced, this recording of Handel's Messiah is a tremendous achievement and the best that I have ever heard. I will never grow weary of listening to this incorruptible masterpiece. The two CD set - Handel Messiah the Complete Work can be purchased @ Amazon.com.

La Santa Eucaristía

(Barcelona)

El Misterio Divino del don de la Santa Eucaristía se explica bellamente en esta presentación de Lighthouse Catholic Media. a través de este alimento espiritual, Jesucristo nos ha dado la manera de esforzanos mientras intentamos acercarnos más a Él durante nuestro caminar terrenal. Por medio de la traducción al español de "The Eucharist: Sacrifice and The Mass" originalmente presentado por el Arzobispo Fulton Sheen, Padre Rivas nos recuerda la multitud de gracias y bendiciones sobrenaturales que nos brinda el Santísimo Sacramento. Esta es una de las muchas maravillosas producciones español de Lighthouse Catholic Media.

How to Love As Jesus Loves~10

How to Love As Jesus Loves,

Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, 

 by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

(Chapters 17 and 18 )  

     Attachment to the things of this world place our souls at a perilous distance from God. We surrender to God's will when we Detach from passions which threaten to monopolize our souls. In a brilliant metaphor, Father Donnelly illustrates the vast horizons of our God given souls. Our love relationship with Jesus encompasses every aspect of our hearts, minds and souls. A quote I will never forget is "The mother weeping in wild grief for her dead child is loving God with her whole heart."   

          Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about  How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart,  by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

How to Love As Jesus Loves~9

How to Love As Jesus Loves,

Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, 

 by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

(Chapters 15 and 16)  

     Father Donnelly teaches us that "sympathy is nurse for the illness of the soul." It is unselfish and "the flower of Christian Civilization." He reminds us that "the Heart of Christ was made for others," and that Our Lord "does not withhold the blood of His Heart from anyone." We learn in these chapters that, with full understanding of how we are hurt by others, Jesus places urgent importance upon the virtue of forgiveness. 

          Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about  How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart,  by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

How to Love As Jesus Loves~8

How to Love As Jesus Loves,

Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, 

 by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

(Chapters 13 and 14)  

     In chapter 13, the author refers to the "moral pericardium" and "human pericardium" in his description of selfishness and the desires of the human will. He states that the early Christians were more successful at living compatibly with the Heart of Christ because they threw away their self will. Their unselfish hearts beat as one with the heart of Jesus.
     The focus of Chapter 14 is that "Christ's love is the light that heals the blindness of the soul." 

     Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about  How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart,  by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

How to Love As Jesus Loves~7

How to Love As Jesus Loves,

Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, 

 by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

(Chapters 11 and 12)

     Chapter 11 bears Father Donnelly's reminder that Jesus never abandons us. Chapter 12 describes Christ's rebuke of insincerity and hypocrisy of the heart.

    "God is a person and has a personal love for us all." says the author. Jesus' love for us carries neither wavering nor duplicity. 
Jesus' vivid comparison of insincerity to bone filled tombs, dirty dishes and poisonous snakes highlights the importance He places on His followers truly loving one another, as He loves us.   

      Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about  How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart,  by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

How to Love As Jesus Loves~6

How to Love As Jesus Loves~ 

Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, 

 by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

(Chapters 9 and 10 )

     In Chapter 9 we learn what it means that we are the object of Our Savior's love. Chapter 10 reveals Christ's supernatural remedy for the heartbreak of earthly failure.

    Jesus delights in and abides within the heart that seeks the treasures of Heaven. Further, as evidenced by the events on the road to Emmaus, Jesus enlivens the hearts of His followers even at their darkest moments. He continues to do the same for us today at any time that we faithfully welcome Him into our hearts. There is no hopelessness which cannot be gloriously transformed by an infusion of His love. We are His treasures and He loves us without measure. 

      Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about  How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart,  by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

How to Love As Jesus Loves~5

How to Love As Jesus Loves, 

Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, 

 by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

(Chapters 7 and 8)  

     Chapter 7 explores the supernatural power of Our Lord's heart felt words. Chapter 8 addresses Christ's potent quieting of emotional  despair. 

    The words of Jesus came from His heart. The turbulent sea was calmed, the eyes of blind were opened, demons fled. Absolution of sins and the super substantial transformation of bread and wine continue today, as ordained Catholic priest's words are spoken in persona Cristi. Prayers are daily answered. Miraculous healings are daily attributed to the power of The Great Physicians' words. 

      Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about  How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart,  by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

How to Love As Jesus Loves~4

How to Love As Jesus Loves, 

Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, 

 by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

(Chapter 4)

  

    Studying this brief chapter opens hearts in humble preparation for Lent. Holy contrition sets aside entitlement to any pride filled perception of spiritual vigor. A closer look at its deepest meaning facilitates a sublime contrition that unites our hearts with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The author states "Contrition must be supernatural." Rather than focusing upon "giving up" something of our limited human design, our soul becomes more available to understand what God wants this Lent. Only He knows the glories and beauty of the path He has selected for us!

     Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about  How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart,  by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

How to Love As Jesus Loves~3

How to Love As Jesus Loves, 

Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, 

 by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

(Chapters 5 and 6 Healing and Holiness)

     In chapter 5, the author contrasts the hearts reaction to two types of interpersonal loss: death and separation. Father Donnelly's depiction of the seemingly irreparably broken heart's response to these types of loss underscores the supernatural depth of healing afforded to us by Jesus. Christ's Sacred Heart remains lacerated to provide us with a healing outpouring of His love. The author explains: "There was, then, no wound of death which His heart did not feel and there was no wound of estrangement which He was not called upon to suffer."

     Chapter 6 reminds us that Our Blessed Lord also teaches us that our hearts are the source of both holiness and sinfulness. Do our seemingly charitable actions come from hypocricy or Christian love? Our true motives are determined by the condition of our hearts. "What comes out of the heart reaches a wire which sends a man's soul over the wide chasm of the grave into the the unending depths of Heaven or Hell.", writes Father Donnelly.

      Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about  How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart,  by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

How to Love As Jesus Loves~2

How to Love As Jesus Loves, 

Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, 

 by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

(Chapters 2 and 3 Meekness and Humiliy )

     Anger, pride and vengeance are powerful motivations for many unfortunate actions. Resultant mortal tragedies are all too frequent. We learn in these chapters of How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart,  by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J., about the overriding supernatural efficacy of meekness and humility in drawing us closer to Christ in all of life's circumstances. The author contrasts the stregth of meekness with anger's "unlovely daughters". Referring to the limitless meekness and humility we see in Our Lord's words and actions, as the "school of Christ", we, His "students", are again reminded of the need to be like children, to grow in holiness, virtue and  love for one another. In a beautiful weekday Mass sermon our priest explained that we are unlikely to err when the motivation of our actions is truly the love of Jesus.

      Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about  How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart,  by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

How to Love As Jesus Loves~1

How to Love As Jesus Loves, 

Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, 

 by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.

(Introduction and first chapter)  

     We learn from Holy Scripture that God commands us to love Him with our whole heart, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Holy Mother Church teaches us that we cannot approach the Eucharist if within our heart resides any hatred towards another. Regardless of the depth of pain we experience at the hand of others, Jesus requires that we forgive "seventy times seven." From the Cross itself Jesus prays for Divine forgiveness for His persecutors. His love is without limits. Mary presents us with a perfect example of loving obedience to Gods's will. Further, she instructs us to do what Jesus tells us. We are to love as Jesus loves.
      So, how do we accomplish this daunting feat?
      Father Donnelly introduces this theologically rich work by clarifying the meaning of devotion. He explains the symbolism of the Sacred Heart of  Our Savior. With a vivid metaphor, he illustrates the mystical significance of the hearts of Jesus and Mary.
      Jesus' intercession on our behaĺf is expressed in this beautiful quote at the end of the first chapter:
     "The unbelief of Thomas was the occasion of showing us that Christ did not permit His wounds to be closed. They are still open, and the most eloquent intercession comes from the wound of the Heart."
      Father Donnelly (1869-1959) was a uniquely gifted author, poet, teacher and priest, who also wrote the lyrics to hundreds of hymns.

      Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about  How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart,  by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.