Conversations with Jesus V

Meditation Before Holy Communion

"Hast thou no promises to make to Me?"

"I can read thy heart; thou knowest it; thou mayest deceive man, but thou canst never deceive God. Be sincere."

"Art thou resolved to avoid occasions of sin? To renounce that which tempts thee; never again to open the book that excites thine imagination? Not to bestow thine affection on one who is not devout, and whose presence steals the peace from thy soul?"

"Wilt thou go now and be loving and forbearing towards one who has vexed thee?..."

"Good, My child!....Go, then, return to thy daily toil; be silent, humble, resigned, charitable; then return to Me with a heart yet more loving and devoted, and I shall have for thee fresh blessings."

(Source: Gold Dust, Altemus Press. Philadelphia, PA. 1897)

Before our good works can merit ANYTHING whatsoever, we must have personal sanctity. We must strive for holiness and seek to rid ourselves of our sinful tendencies. All the "social justice" issues so popular today: feed the poor, save the environment, help the immigrants, etc. All these things are well and good and we must do them - but all these things avail us NOTHING if we are not in a state of grace! We must be in a state of grace, with the help of God in order to do anything of value in His sight.

Go to confession, pray the rosary, receive Communion as often as you can. Personal sanctity THEN social justice!!! Amen+

Conversations with Jesus IV

Before Holy Communion Meditation

"Art thou fearful of the future? Is therein thy heart that vague dread that thou canst not define, but which nevertheless torments thee?"

"Trust in My Providence...I am present with thee, I know all, and I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."

"Are there around thee those seemingly less devout than formerly, whose coldness or indifference has estranged thee from them without real cause?..."

"Pray for them. I can draw them back to thee if they are necessary to the sanctification of thy soul."

"What are the joys of which thou hast to tell Me?"

"Let Me share thy pleasure; tell Me of all that has occurred since yesterday to comfort thee, please thee, to give thee joy!"

"That fear suddenly dispelled, that unexpected success, that token of affection, the trial that proved thee stronger than thou thougtest..."

"My child, I sent it all; why not show some gratitude, and simply thank thy Lord? Gratitude draws down a blessing, and the Great Benefactor likes His children to remind Him of His goodness."

(Source: Gold Dust by edited by Charlotte Yonge. Henry Altemus Press. Philadelphia, PA. 1897)

Thank you Lord Jesus for dying for us, for giving to us your holy mother as an advocate. Thank you for your holy Catholic Church and her sacraments. Thank you for all your mercy and abundant graces. Open wide my heart and soul, may every beat, every breath, every prayer, every sigh be a canticle of thanks to You, for Your greater glory! Amen+

Conversations with Jesus III

Meditation Before Holy Communion Continued

"Hast thou no interests which occupy thy mind?"

"Tell Me of them all....Of thy vocation. What dost thou think? What dost thou desire? Wouldst thou give pleasure to thy mother, thy family, those in authority over thee? What wouldst thou do for them?"

"And for Me has thou no ardor? Dost thou not desire to do some good to the souls of those thou lovest, but who are forgetful of Me?"

"Tell Me of one in whom thou has interest; the motive that actuates; the means thou wouldst employ."

"Lay before Me thy failures, and I will teach thee the cause."

"Whom wouldst thou have to help thee? The hearts of all are in My keeping, and I lead them gently wheresoever I will. Rest assured, all who are needful to thee, I will place around thee."

"Oh! My child, tell Me of all thy weariness: who has grieved thee? treated thee with contempt? wounded thy self-love? Tell Me all, and thou wilt end by saying, all is forgiven, all forgotten...and I, surely I will bless thee!"

We can learn from these very wise, very holy words that we are to be as children and lay ourselves, our very souls open before Our Lord Jesus. Our King wishes to save His people! All we must do is turn to Him in simplicity, honesty and trust! He longs to give us rest, to heal our wounds, to grant us endless graces. I urge to you think on these words as you approach Our Lord in Holy Communion next. Amen+

Conversations with Jesus II

Meditation Before Holy Communion Continued

"Hast thou no favors to ask of Me? Give Me, if thou wilt, a list of all thy desires, all the wants of thy soul. Tell Me, simply, of all thy pride, sensuality, self-love, sloth; and ask for My help in thy struggles to overcome them."

"Poor child! be not abashed, many that had the same faults to contend against are now saints in heaven."

"They cried to Me for help, and by degrees they conquered."

"Do not hesitate to ask for temporal blessings, - health, intellect, success. I can bestow them, and never fail to do so, where they tend to make the soul more holy. What wouldst thou have this day, My child?....If thou didst but know how I long to bless thee!"

(Source: Gold Dust. Published by Altemus Press, Philadelphia, PA. 1897.)

Prayer ~ O Saving Victim

O Saving Victim opening wide

The gate of heaven to all below.

Our foes press on from every side;

Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow.
To Thy great name be endless praise

Immortal Godhead, One in Three;

Oh, grant us endless length of days,

In our true native land with Thee.
Amen.

(by St. Thomas Aquinas)

Great Book - "Gold Dust"

A Really Great Book

My husband and I recently spent a week in Halifax Nova Scotia. We spent one entire afternoon - not boating in the harbor, not visiting the numerous vinyards, inns or lighthouses - but rather in a dusty old used bookshop. This is one of those great places where the books are stacked to the ceiling and you can't even see the ones on the bottom shelves because there are books stacked on the floor obscuring them. Being the true Catholic geeks that we are we asked for the religion section and were ushered up two flights of stairs to the very far back corner. I figured in our modern "enlightened" and largely pagan society I'd find all sorts of classic or antique Catholic books that had been long since cast off. Oddly enough, I found a TON of protestant books (mostly Anglican) but very few Catholic ones. We did purchase several that we found, among them one absolute treasure called Gold Dust. I have been reading it most nights before lights out and couldn't resist sharing this book's wisdom with you.

The aim of this little book is to help the reader go grow in holiness by offering little snippets of wise advise, holy admonitions and spiritual direction - aimed to the layperson. It was published originally in France, this is the first English Edition and is part of a series of Catholic books called Altemus' Devotional Series (originally 50 cents each!). Publisher's name is Henry Altemus who's company was in Philadelphia.

The part I'll focus on for now is a collection of meditations for prior to Holy Communion and consist of hearing Jesus speak to your soul as you prepare to receive Him in the Sacrament of the Altar:

"My child, it is not wisdom I require of thee, it sufficeth if thou lovest Me well."

"Speak to Me as thou wouldst talk to thy mother if she were here, pressing thee to her heart."

"Hast thou none for whom thou wouldst intercede? Tell me the names of thy kindred and thy friends; and at the mention of each name add what thou wouldst have Me do for them. Ask much fervently; the generous hearts that forget themselves for others are very dear unto Me."

"Tell me of the poor thou wouldst succor, the sick thou hast seen suffering, the sinful thou wouldst reclaim, the estranged thou wouldst receive to thy heart again. Pray fervently for all mankind. Remind Me of My promise to hear all prayers that proceed from the heart; and the prayer offered for one who loves us, and is dear to us, is sure to be heartfelt and fervent."

More soon...May Mary's prayers go with you always!