Beads of Joy 03-31-10
He's Paid 30 Pieces of Silver
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Wednesday of Holy Week
Hello Everyone,
The betrayal of Jesus was just the beginning of that long walk to Calvary. Today we read how Judas takes the first step to turn on Jesus and betray Him, and for what? money? Our scripture today can be found in Matthew 26:14-25 (Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus & The Passover with the disciples). I pray that all of you are having a most joyful Godly Holy Week. Spend this very special week with Jesus and His Mother as much as you possibly can, begin new habits that draw you close to them. This is the week that leads up to His Death and Resurrection. The holiest of holy weeks in our faith. The thought of someone willing to basically sell another for murder is ludicrous. I don't know if Judas really knew what was going to happen to the extent that it did, but I would think considering all the disciples were well aware of the times they were living in; and the anger the scribes and Pharisee had towards Him, he had to have thought crucifixion was in the cards. And if he did and still did it anyway, how sad. But we all know someone had to betray Him, so that by His death, and resurrection He defeated death for all of us. It was our sins and Judas' fatal sin that Jesus died for. But let's look into this for a moment.
"Worldly gain for the sake of money." Money can be a sad desire in our lives, yes we need it to live, we even need it to be buried when we die. But we don't need to be so obsessed with it that it takes over our lives. Judas sold out on Jesus for money. That is the craziest thing I ever heard of. It's been said in general, when corruption and payoffs occur: Just follow the money, and all the evidence is there. What does the word of God tell us about money, "Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless." Ecclesiastes 5:10. And in the gospel, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24. We all need to keep that in mind, we can't have two masters, it doesn't only have to be money, it can anything we find ourselves clinging to. There is actually a lot said about money is scripture, none of which encourages us to desire it like so many do in today's world, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:10.
Nothing in this life is worth selling out our love for Jesus. Except for Jesus. See the minute we grab something and cling to it, as our desire; our hands and arms are full, now we can't hold onto Jesus anymore. God clearly stated this in the second commandment, " "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments." Exodus 20:3-6. Pretty powerful stuff. I think this is just letting us know God's serious and He wants us to honor Him alone. I don't really know why people cling to things, maybe it's in our nature to be able to grab hold of something tangible that we can see. For whatever reason we need to do all we can to tame that down. I am guilty as charged, but I have changed greatly these past 5-10 years of my life.
The way I approach distractions and things that I know in my life that take me away from my Lord, is simple; I replace them with an "addiction of sorts" that revolve around Jesus. That's how I developed my prayer life and my writing time. I use to have so many distractions in my life, and I knew it and I would stop them for several days, even weeks at a time. But through the force and design of a habit, I returned to the one thing I didn't want to. Did that make sense? So I encourage all of you who are having challenges that you don't like, or that are distracting you and keep you from Jesus, replace the habit, with something you want to do instead. You have to be very open and honest with yourself when you see yourself drifting away from our Lord. What feelings, or emotion, or flavor ice creams did it. Opps, Sorry, food always seems to derail me. Fill my belly and my mind wonders. LOL. I can't explain that, I just know that food is a huge distraction to me. Shopping for it, cooking it, eating it. I love all facets of the adventure. See what I mean, this can't be healthy. Hey stop laughing at me. LOL. Ok you can smile at me. This was just a thought that I hope helps everyone focus more fully and devoutly on Jesus. Minimize the distractions if you can, your life will be filled with so much joy. Remember Judas was distracted by his desire for money.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Love One Another - Be Strong
Beads of Joy 03-30-10
Love One Another - Be Strong
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Tuesday of Holy Week
Hello Everyone,
It seems like we are on a similar tone like yesterdays blog and scripture. Today we are reading John 13:21-38 (Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial) Jesus teaches us here that He has given us a new commandment, "A new commandment, I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." v.34. Can we obey such a commandment? Can we follow Jesus to the cross by putting everyone else before ourselves? By God's grace we can. The society we live in, is all about self. It's sad, but Jesus' way is opposite the grain of the new world we live in. Yes I purposely said new world. This so called perfect world that some politicians think can be created; is actually a very diabolical way of destroying all that we value amongst the faithful, and given to the ungodly. We as Catholics, must stand strong in our faith. Me speaking personally for myself: I'd gladly die defending what I believe in my faith, I will never deny Jesus. I refuse to go to my grave and have to explain to God that I gave into everything that offends Him. Nothing, I'll say it again, NOTHING in this life should ever derail your love for Jesus, Nothing. Be strong, be bold. This world can not take, destroy or kill anything that is in your heart. No powers or authorities, or legislation can touch it.
This reading also spoke of how Peter was going to deny Jesus three times. Ok there's another example we can also learn from. Peter in all his wisdom and all his love for Jesus; still fell victim to the very weakness of the world around us that I was just talking about. But we know what he did and how he handled it. He got himself right back on track with God asking for forgiveness. Watch the scene in the movie The Passion of the Christ. Peter after denying Jesus three times, fell to his knees before Our Blessed Mother and clearly acknowledged his wrong doing and his unworthiness. I realize that's a movie. But we all know Peter repented. We must do all we can in our weakness, hold strong and not give up. We will fall, no matter who we are or how strong we think we are, remember we all will fall from time to time. No one is so perfect, and if you think you are; then in my opinion your not out in the trenches enough fighting to defend our Lord and sharing His love with others. Just my opinion. But to me, your not a hero in a battle if all you do is watch it on TV.
Look at the Stations of the Cross as a clear example of how Jesus who has the power of God within Himself; fell three separate times as He carried His enormous cross. But also note that after every fall, He got up and continued. He didn't give up or give in and let the violent mean society of people around Him who hated Him do anything to Him, that would take Him away from His will that saved us. Never let this world's distractions make you lose sight of God. And also don't fall victim to believing there is no God. This world is very subtle in its wicked ways. But then satan doesn't only attack us with a sword, sometimes he uses a tasty chocolate cake LOL (opps sorry), or a simple law that "sounds" like it's protecting the innocent, when it actually will increase their deaths by 30%. And good honest God fearing people line themselves up behind the lie and many become mislead. We need to do our own diligence in our lives. Stay true to God, we will all fall short and we will all sin and we will from time to time make some seriously bad choices. But remember we are human, and our strengths are weakened by our original sin. But that must not discourage us.
So after all this has been said, what should we do. I think the two examples here and the wisdom in scripture show us that: We must love others as Jesus has and does love us, and we should never be weakened by our own weaknesses. Sometimes the only way we really learn, is from our own weaknesses, and most of us know what they are. So staying focused in prayer and obedience to His word, and by doing all we can to continually grow spiritually; we will most likely be more ready than if we did nothing. Our radar will always be up watching out for us, and watch what moves opposite the grain of our Lords teachings. I have many friends who are part of the ROTC in Niagara Falls, NY. We lived right behind the Air Force base, and one thing I noticed all the near nine years we lived there was; the planes kept flying every couple hours in a huge round circle around the entire county. Twenty four hours a day. They had a pretty large fleet of planes. So one day it came to mind and I asked, "Why do you guys keep flying, day in and day out? You never go anywhere." She looked at me and said, "We always have to be ready. We never know if we'll be needed and if we get the call and a couple of hundred of us need to get deployed somewhere and it's urgent. We have to be ready, so these planes must be kept, functionably ready at all times, to be ready at the spur of the moment without time to prepare." I though, Oh wow, that response can be used in our lives when it comes to being ready in our lives spiritually. Hope this was helpful.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Love One Another - Be Strong
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Tuesday of Holy Week
Hello Everyone,
It seems like we are on a similar tone like yesterdays blog and scripture. Today we are reading John 13:21-38 (Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial) Jesus teaches us here that He has given us a new commandment, "A new commandment, I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." v.34. Can we obey such a commandment? Can we follow Jesus to the cross by putting everyone else before ourselves? By God's grace we can. The society we live in, is all about self. It's sad, but Jesus' way is opposite the grain of the new world we live in. Yes I purposely said new world. This so called perfect world that some politicians think can be created; is actually a very diabolical way of destroying all that we value amongst the faithful, and given to the ungodly. We as Catholics, must stand strong in our faith. Me speaking personally for myself: I'd gladly die defending what I believe in my faith, I will never deny Jesus. I refuse to go to my grave and have to explain to God that I gave into everything that offends Him. Nothing, I'll say it again, NOTHING in this life should ever derail your love for Jesus, Nothing. Be strong, be bold. This world can not take, destroy or kill anything that is in your heart. No powers or authorities, or legislation can touch it.
This reading also spoke of how Peter was going to deny Jesus three times. Ok there's another example we can also learn from. Peter in all his wisdom and all his love for Jesus; still fell victim to the very weakness of the world around us that I was just talking about. But we know what he did and how he handled it. He got himself right back on track with God asking for forgiveness. Watch the scene in the movie The Passion of the Christ. Peter after denying Jesus three times, fell to his knees before Our Blessed Mother and clearly acknowledged his wrong doing and his unworthiness. I realize that's a movie. But we all know Peter repented. We must do all we can in our weakness, hold strong and not give up. We will fall, no matter who we are or how strong we think we are, remember we all will fall from time to time. No one is so perfect, and if you think you are; then in my opinion your not out in the trenches enough fighting to defend our Lord and sharing His love with others. Just my opinion. But to me, your not a hero in a battle if all you do is watch it on TV.
Look at the Stations of the Cross as a clear example of how Jesus who has the power of God within Himself; fell three separate times as He carried His enormous cross. But also note that after every fall, He got up and continued. He didn't give up or give in and let the violent mean society of people around Him who hated Him do anything to Him, that would take Him away from His will that saved us. Never let this world's distractions make you lose sight of God. And also don't fall victim to believing there is no God. This world is very subtle in its wicked ways. But then satan doesn't only attack us with a sword, sometimes he uses a tasty chocolate cake LOL (opps sorry), or a simple law that "sounds" like it's protecting the innocent, when it actually will increase their deaths by 30%. And good honest God fearing people line themselves up behind the lie and many become mislead. We need to do our own diligence in our lives. Stay true to God, we will all fall short and we will all sin and we will from time to time make some seriously bad choices. But remember we are human, and our strengths are weakened by our original sin. But that must not discourage us.
So after all this has been said, what should we do. I think the two examples here and the wisdom in scripture show us that: We must love others as Jesus has and does love us, and we should never be weakened by our own weaknesses. Sometimes the only way we really learn, is from our own weaknesses, and most of us know what they are. So staying focused in prayer and obedience to His word, and by doing all we can to continually grow spiritually; we will most likely be more ready than if we did nothing. Our radar will always be up watching out for us, and watch what moves opposite the grain of our Lords teachings. I have many friends who are part of the ROTC in Niagara Falls, NY. We lived right behind the Air Force base, and one thing I noticed all the near nine years we lived there was; the planes kept flying every couple hours in a huge round circle around the entire county. Twenty four hours a day. They had a pretty large fleet of planes. So one day it came to mind and I asked, "Why do you guys keep flying, day in and day out? You never go anywhere." She looked at me and said, "We always have to be ready. We never know if we'll be needed and if we get the call and a couple of hundred of us need to get deployed somewhere and it's urgent. We have to be ready, so these planes must be kept, functionably ready at all times, to be ready at the spur of the moment without time to prepare." I though, Oh wow, that response can be used in our lives when it comes to being ready in our lives spiritually. Hope this was helpful.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Monday, March 29, 2010
God's Love is Limitless
Beads of Joy 03-29-10
God's Love is Limitless
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Monday of Holy Week
Hello Everyone,
Holy week has begun. The sorrow of a most challenging week, will end in the joy of a most Blessed Easter morning. Today we are reflecting on John 12:1-11 (Lazarus's Sister Mary Anoints Jesus). I don't know can we possibly comprehend what it means to have a love for someone that is literally limitless and has no bounds whatsoever? Mary, precious Mary, sister of Lazarus, was so thankful, and appreciative of the love God had in raising her brother; that she used the most expensive, extravagant fragrant she owned and used it to anoint the feet of Jesus. And then she used her hair to wipe away her tears that she cried on His feet. Can we use all we have in something that we see as value, and spend it all on Jesus? I mean completely using all it for His glory. Now you realize it doesn't have to be a fragrance, it can be money, a car, a house, our time, our skills. What do we possess that can not only be used to glorify God; but we can show Jesus that He comes first in our lives, not this item.
Mary sister of Lazarus, has taught us a most precious lesson. Do we allow our love for Jesus to literally rule our lives? I know in today's time that may sound impossible. But I will tell you, it's not. I'm no angel, far from perfect. But you can eliminate all the distractions in your life so that in the end; pretty much all of your free time is all His, worshiping, praying and loving Him. Why do you think Judas was so harsh to Mary? His main focus was greed. He knew if he could sell it, he'd have more funds to tap into at his leisure. We can't allow anything in this world to have such a hold on us, that we put Jesus second or even last in line behind it in our lives. I don't care what you possess. You can have fifty trillion dollars, one hundred homes worldwide and dozen jets. When you stand before God on the last day, you will be equal with the homeless person in God's sight. What you did with your life and your stuff will be judged more, because you have been given more. The homeless person may have been put into the situation by sad circumstances, but loved and thanked God for all they had. These things I believe are important to stay in our thoughts throughout our lives; mostly so we don't lose sight of what really matters.
Now I hope this don't sound morbid, but it's an important thought. I read it many years ago. "It don't matter if your rich or poor, when a dead body decays, they both smell the same." And you know that's the inevitable hard truth. The one equalizer in this life is death. You can't take anything with you, and no title or amount of money mean anything. What will matter is how did we prioritized our lives. And where did God, and Jesus exist in our lives? Now let's not let judging or comparing others be any part of what we do in our own lives. That's another bad road to go down. Instead, let's look at what blessing we have, and let's see how we can use them, share them, or give them in such a way that brings glory to God. Again I look at my life and see that if you do prioritize Jesus as always first, and your heart really skips a beat thinking about Jesus and His Mother. Believe me you will never allow anything or anyone to take precedence over them. I believe what we all must do is one by one, look at everything that consumes our time, our thoughts and our money. And then one by one eliminate the distractions.
Do I sound like I am talking crazy. I guess maybe some might agree, but you know I don't agree. I'm not saying stop family trips and family fun. I'm saying do you really need to have four cars because they make you feel and look good? Can you maybe rather try to see how maybe the sale of one or two or even three of those cars, can bless a struggling family or relative. Or maybe adopt a child who really wants to be loved. God has a plan for all of us, we can't allow these huge road blocks of selfish pride stop us from being God fearing, God loving people who care more about others than ourselves. Selfishness is all about you, and if self is all that matters, how sad a life you have lived. Yea maybe you had fantastic brand new vehicles and a huge beautiful home and lots of money. But in comparison to a devoted life seeking out God's will, and a selfless heart only desiring to put everyone else's needs before your own wants, I'd rather be the latter. Sad is the life of a man holding on to his treasure as the ship sinks refusing to let it go. Today let us observe Mary's love and priorities, she has set us a wonderful example.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
God's Love is Limitless
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Monday of Holy Week
Hello Everyone,
Holy week has begun. The sorrow of a most challenging week, will end in the joy of a most Blessed Easter morning. Today we are reflecting on John 12:1-11 (Lazarus's Sister Mary Anoints Jesus). I don't know can we possibly comprehend what it means to have a love for someone that is literally limitless and has no bounds whatsoever? Mary, precious Mary, sister of Lazarus, was so thankful, and appreciative of the love God had in raising her brother; that she used the most expensive, extravagant fragrant she owned and used it to anoint the feet of Jesus. And then she used her hair to wipe away her tears that she cried on His feet. Can we use all we have in something that we see as value, and spend it all on Jesus? I mean completely using all it for His glory. Now you realize it doesn't have to be a fragrance, it can be money, a car, a house, our time, our skills. What do we possess that can not only be used to glorify God; but we can show Jesus that He comes first in our lives, not this item.
Mary sister of Lazarus, has taught us a most precious lesson. Do we allow our love for Jesus to literally rule our lives? I know in today's time that may sound impossible. But I will tell you, it's not. I'm no angel, far from perfect. But you can eliminate all the distractions in your life so that in the end; pretty much all of your free time is all His, worshiping, praying and loving Him. Why do you think Judas was so harsh to Mary? His main focus was greed. He knew if he could sell it, he'd have more funds to tap into at his leisure. We can't allow anything in this world to have such a hold on us, that we put Jesus second or even last in line behind it in our lives. I don't care what you possess. You can have fifty trillion dollars, one hundred homes worldwide and dozen jets. When you stand before God on the last day, you will be equal with the homeless person in God's sight. What you did with your life and your stuff will be judged more, because you have been given more. The homeless person may have been put into the situation by sad circumstances, but loved and thanked God for all they had. These things I believe are important to stay in our thoughts throughout our lives; mostly so we don't lose sight of what really matters.
Now I hope this don't sound morbid, but it's an important thought. I read it many years ago. "It don't matter if your rich or poor, when a dead body decays, they both smell the same." And you know that's the inevitable hard truth. The one equalizer in this life is death. You can't take anything with you, and no title or amount of money mean anything. What will matter is how did we prioritized our lives. And where did God, and Jesus exist in our lives? Now let's not let judging or comparing others be any part of what we do in our own lives. That's another bad road to go down. Instead, let's look at what blessing we have, and let's see how we can use them, share them, or give them in such a way that brings glory to God. Again I look at my life and see that if you do prioritize Jesus as always first, and your heart really skips a beat thinking about Jesus and His Mother. Believe me you will never allow anything or anyone to take precedence over them. I believe what we all must do is one by one, look at everything that consumes our time, our thoughts and our money. And then one by one eliminate the distractions.
Do I sound like I am talking crazy. I guess maybe some might agree, but you know I don't agree. I'm not saying stop family trips and family fun. I'm saying do you really need to have four cars because they make you feel and look good? Can you maybe rather try to see how maybe the sale of one or two or even three of those cars, can bless a struggling family or relative. Or maybe adopt a child who really wants to be loved. God has a plan for all of us, we can't allow these huge road blocks of selfish pride stop us from being God fearing, God loving people who care more about others than ourselves. Selfishness is all about you, and if self is all that matters, how sad a life you have lived. Yea maybe you had fantastic brand new vehicles and a huge beautiful home and lots of money. But in comparison to a devoted life seeking out God's will, and a selfless heart only desiring to put everyone else's needs before your own wants, I'd rather be the latter. Sad is the life of a man holding on to his treasure as the ship sinks refusing to let it go. Today let us observe Mary's love and priorities, she has set us a wonderful example.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Jesus' Entry Into Jerusalem
Beads of Joy 03-28-10
Jesus' Entry Into Jerusalem
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Lent 2010 - Day 40
Hello Everyone,
Happy Palm Sunday ! It's funny not many people say that today, though some of my facebook friends have. I am impressed, thanks. Today is a most joyous day for us to celebrate. Today the Passion Narrative actually begins, and it begins a way that kinda makes you wonder, we start out with praise and love, all for Jesus; and not that much later this is followed by a crucifixion and hatred. Today Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, and He is welcomed with open arms, cloaks and palm are laid out on the ground for Jesus as He arrived on a colt (a colt is a sign of peace). Today's scripture can be found in Luke 19:28-40 (Jesus Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem). So much joy for us to celebrate and share together. Today we can spend some time in our reflection wondering: Do we really welcome Jesus into our hearts, our lives, our homes, our conversations, our thoughts, our motives? Do we really embrace Him into our lives? Or do we like those we read about in scripture turn on Jesus if what He says isn't what we want to hear? There are many questions in this paragraph. Let's take it nice and slow and even reread the scripture. He is our Teacher, and our Master. Let us embrace Him, His Word and what love He has given to us; we who are so unworthy of His love.
Jesus came into the world to die for us. It was the plan from the start, God knew it and so did Jesus. And we see by the words Mary spoke to Jesus at the Wedding at Cana that she knew there was a special plan for her Son. How can a body of people embrace and love someone so much; and then shortly after that turn against them? Jesus showed us true humility as He arrived in Jerusalem. Let us live our lives in such a way that we are humble, before God and before others. Here's a glance of the coming Passion our Lord shall endure.
The Passion Narrative (Luke 22:14-23:56)
Luke 22:14-23 (The Institution of the Lord's Supper)
Luke 22:24-30 (The Dispute About Greatness)
Luke 22:31-34 (Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial)
Luke 22:35-38 (Purse, Bag, and Sword)
Luke 22:39-46 (Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives)
Luke 22:47-53 (The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus)
Luke 22:54-62 (Peter Denies Jesus)
Luke 22:63-71 (Jesus before the Council)
Luke 23:1-5 (Jesus before Pilate)
Luke 23:6-12 (Jesus before Herod)
Luke 23:13-25 (Jesus Sentenced to Death)
Luke 23:26-43 (The Crucifixion of Jesus)
Luke 23:44-49 (The Death of Jesus)
Luke 23:50-56 (The Burial of Jesus)
Let us offer up this day to those who are rejected, and even more so those who were initially loved and then rejected. We can kind of see how some children who are killed in abortion can even be seen in this way. I know of some people who just abort their children because they didn't want more kids, unfortunate even those in my extended family. I am so ashamed of their selfish actions. They are married and in love, and it was through love that this wonderful child has been created, but in the end the child was betrayed and killed. Just as our Lord has been. Jesus shares with us how important it is that we, like Him forgive those who betray the innocent. It's not going to be easy by no means. I will be the first to admit it and say I will not go without stamping my feet and screaming. But through the grace of God I will forgive them. We need to pray for the betrayers of the innocent. We have been placed in their lives to pray for them.
Prayer of Forgiveness
Dear Lord, today I ask you to open my heart to learn from you, how to be more like you, in forgiving not only those who betrayed and killed you; but to forgive all those who betray the innocence of an unborn child and kill them. You know me better than I do, it's not going to be easy for me. Please help guide me even closer to you, as you give me the strength and grace to open my heart and love for everyone you have died for. For you didn't come to save only the righteous, but sinners, and all of us are sinners. Thank you Jesus for always making everything in my life be what you want it to be. I desire nothing if it is not of you. My life is perfect, even in its imperfections, because I embrace only you. Your will is mine, nothing else matters. Thank You Lord, Glory and Honor and Praise to You Lord Jesus. Amen.
The Challenge: Make crosses with the palm. LOL, that can be a challenge for many of us. I have good moments and I have moments no matter what I do, they fall apart. Have Fun.
Holy week begins...
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Jesus' Entry Into Jerusalem
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Lent 2010 - Day 40
Hello Everyone,
Happy Palm Sunday ! It's funny not many people say that today, though some of my facebook friends have. I am impressed, thanks. Today is a most joyous day for us to celebrate. Today the Passion Narrative actually begins, and it begins a way that kinda makes you wonder, we start out with praise and love, all for Jesus; and not that much later this is followed by a crucifixion and hatred. Today Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, and He is welcomed with open arms, cloaks and palm are laid out on the ground for Jesus as He arrived on a colt (a colt is a sign of peace). Today's scripture can be found in Luke 19:28-40 (Jesus Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem). So much joy for us to celebrate and share together. Today we can spend some time in our reflection wondering: Do we really welcome Jesus into our hearts, our lives, our homes, our conversations, our thoughts, our motives? Do we really embrace Him into our lives? Or do we like those we read about in scripture turn on Jesus if what He says isn't what we want to hear? There are many questions in this paragraph. Let's take it nice and slow and even reread the scripture. He is our Teacher, and our Master. Let us embrace Him, His Word and what love He has given to us; we who are so unworthy of His love.
Jesus came into the world to die for us. It was the plan from the start, God knew it and so did Jesus. And we see by the words Mary spoke to Jesus at the Wedding at Cana that she knew there was a special plan for her Son. How can a body of people embrace and love someone so much; and then shortly after that turn against them? Jesus showed us true humility as He arrived in Jerusalem. Let us live our lives in such a way that we are humble, before God and before others. Here's a glance of the coming Passion our Lord shall endure.
The Passion Narrative (Luke 22:14-23:56)
Luke 22:14-23 (The Institution of the Lord's Supper)
Luke 22:24-30 (The Dispute About Greatness)
Luke 22:31-34 (Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial)
Luke 22:35-38 (Purse, Bag, and Sword)
Luke 22:39-46 (Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives)
Luke 22:47-53 (The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus)
Luke 22:54-62 (Peter Denies Jesus)
Luke 22:63-71 (Jesus before the Council)
Luke 23:1-5 (Jesus before Pilate)
Luke 23:6-12 (Jesus before Herod)
Luke 23:13-25 (Jesus Sentenced to Death)
Luke 23:26-43 (The Crucifixion of Jesus)
Luke 23:44-49 (The Death of Jesus)
Luke 23:50-56 (The Burial of Jesus)
Let us offer up this day to those who are rejected, and even more so those who were initially loved and then rejected. We can kind of see how some children who are killed in abortion can even be seen in this way. I know of some people who just abort their children because they didn't want more kids, unfortunate even those in my extended family. I am so ashamed of their selfish actions. They are married and in love, and it was through love that this wonderful child has been created, but in the end the child was betrayed and killed. Just as our Lord has been. Jesus shares with us how important it is that we, like Him forgive those who betray the innocent. It's not going to be easy by no means. I will be the first to admit it and say I will not go without stamping my feet and screaming. But through the grace of God I will forgive them. We need to pray for the betrayers of the innocent. We have been placed in their lives to pray for them.
Prayer of Forgiveness
Dear Lord, today I ask you to open my heart to learn from you, how to be more like you, in forgiving not only those who betrayed and killed you; but to forgive all those who betray the innocence of an unborn child and kill them. You know me better than I do, it's not going to be easy for me. Please help guide me even closer to you, as you give me the strength and grace to open my heart and love for everyone you have died for. For you didn't come to save only the righteous, but sinners, and all of us are sinners. Thank you Jesus for always making everything in my life be what you want it to be. I desire nothing if it is not of you. My life is perfect, even in its imperfections, because I embrace only you. Your will is mine, nothing else matters. Thank You Lord, Glory and Honor and Praise to You Lord Jesus. Amen.
The Challenge: Make crosses with the palm. LOL, that can be a challenge for many of us. I have good moments and I have moments no matter what I do, they fall apart. Have Fun.
Holy week begins...
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Love Shared is Love Gained
Beads of Joy 03-27-10
Love Shared is Love Gained
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Lent 2010 - Day 39
Hello Everyone,
Today I am putting a little different twist on the blog. I have future plans for a series like this, but last night while driving for whatever reason; I was thinking about my grandparents. So today I'd like to touch on the love they shared, the knowledge I gained and where so much of who I am is from them. Just to let you know, this is my mother's mom and dad. My grandma passed away many many years ago, it crushed me, I loved her so much. All the cousins asked me to do the eulogy, omg, I cried and cried, that was so hard to do. And my grandpa, you all know him, his photo's are in my album, we see him often. These two people played such a dynamic role in my life, I don't know if they did all they did consciously; or it was just in there genes to be the way they were. One big thing I have learned is never think your role as a parent, or a grandparent or a friend or a sibling or whatever is not important, cause it is. And I think the greatest wisdom I gained is that "knowing" that you know its important allows you to "do it right" for everyone. You know what I mean. If your head is screwed on straight and you know your words will hurt or help, you'll always do the right thing. I miss my grandma.
Well let me welcome everyone into my world again. It's not all that crowded, open all the doors, there's room. OK. I'll speak up so everybody can hear me. LOL, I'm crazy I know. Let me tell you, I grew up in the school of ole ways. Family was everything, literally. Every single weekend growing up, if we weren't camping or traveling, we were at my grandparents house, my cousins, my aunt and uncles, you name it, we spent major time together growing up. I so miss them days, and all those wonderful people. Well My mom's parents house was common place for me. Gramps use to take me fishing and we'd go on the ham radio, and me and grams use to chat and chat and chat and cook and she was the best. She introduced me to Our Lady when I was so young (my eyes are filling with tears as I type). She knew, she just knew that I needed our Blessed Mother and Her Son in my life. She planted a most precious seed in my heart, one that would grow for eternity. Please all the grandma's and grandpa's out there. PLEASE share our Lady with all your young grand kids. And do it in a private super special way, one that would be engraved in their hearts for future reference and future wonderful memories. Omg I feel like crying, grandma always told me how special Our Lady was to her. I think of that so often.
My grandma use to have a HUGE Blessed Mother statue on her dresser, there was always prayer cards and rosaries and I remember even dried out roses. I just so remember her that statue. She would always touch it as she walked by it. In detail I remember one of the earliest conversations, I have shared this before. She and I were in the living room, she called me over to her, she was holding her rosary beads. She huddled me next to her, she was such a special loving grandma. I miss her so much. I wish my kids knew her. Back to the story. She brought me close to her, and asked me, "Do you know who the two most special women in my life are?" I don't remember answering, but I remember just looking her in the eyes. She said, "my kid sister Helen, and our Blessed Mother." I didn't know what to say. She then showed me her rosary beads, she told she always prayed her rosary and talked to our Lady. I remember enough at the time, that I honestly didn't know exactly what she meant. I was an altar boy back then, but we weren't at that time a really religious family. But grandma knew to plant the seeds. At her funeral I noticed she wasn't holding her rosary beads. I cried so much, I put mine in her hands. I remember saying, "she has to have her rosary beads when she sees our lady." Please grandma's we need more grandma's like mine out there. LOL. That part of her is so engraved in who I am. She loved our Lady so much, like I do. It's incredible.
Now let me tell you about my Grandpa. He is so cool, I love this guy. In the navy he was a boxer, so he was tough, but incredibly loving. He worked for over 40 years at P&G as a welder. I am so proud of him. He is super smart to this day when it comes to any kind of math. He even challenges my Charlie, his great grandson, it's so cute. And growing up everyone of us grand kids knew our multiplication and division by heart, if we didn't know it when asked, we had us write it out ten times while we were visiting.. I know, omg. But I got to tell you, when us cousins talk about the ole days and we look back and see that as a fond memory, really we do. Grandpa wanted all of us to be good in math, he always said, we need to know it in everything we do, because math is at work and at home in everything. He is right, just think about it. I miss the days I use to spend time with him. We use to go fishing ALOT ! Grandpa use to take me out for breakfast before we went fishing at three in the morning, and we'd talk about what we were going to do, and school and that I would be going to college..right. LOL. He'd tell me all the rules so I wouldn't get hurt or lost in the dark by the beach. Once we got to the beach, he'd help me with the "waiters" that's the long boots/pants you wear so we can walk far into the water and fish, they were so cool, he always had a pair my size.
My goal here today is that you are thinking of your own wonderful memories, or the wonderful memories you'd like to give your grand kids. Sometimes just sharing ones own love for their own family, allows others to gain from it, as well as I do. Please take this message, capture it in your heart, and share it's core (LOVE) with everybody. Engrave your love for them into their hearts. It'll last for eternity, I promise you it will.
Our Life's Challenge: To be that loving parent, grandparent, sister, brother, friend. And always be that person to everybody.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Love Shared is Love Gained
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Lent 2010 - Day 39
Hello Everyone,
Today I am putting a little different twist on the blog. I have future plans for a series like this, but last night while driving for whatever reason; I was thinking about my grandparents. So today I'd like to touch on the love they shared, the knowledge I gained and where so much of who I am is from them. Just to let you know, this is my mother's mom and dad. My grandma passed away many many years ago, it crushed me, I loved her so much. All the cousins asked me to do the eulogy, omg, I cried and cried, that was so hard to do. And my grandpa, you all know him, his photo's are in my album, we see him often. These two people played such a dynamic role in my life, I don't know if they did all they did consciously; or it was just in there genes to be the way they were. One big thing I have learned is never think your role as a parent, or a grandparent or a friend or a sibling or whatever is not important, cause it is. And I think the greatest wisdom I gained is that "knowing" that you know its important allows you to "do it right" for everyone. You know what I mean. If your head is screwed on straight and you know your words will hurt or help, you'll always do the right thing. I miss my grandma.
Well let me welcome everyone into my world again. It's not all that crowded, open all the doors, there's room. OK. I'll speak up so everybody can hear me. LOL, I'm crazy I know. Let me tell you, I grew up in the school of ole ways. Family was everything, literally. Every single weekend growing up, if we weren't camping or traveling, we were at my grandparents house, my cousins, my aunt and uncles, you name it, we spent major time together growing up. I so miss them days, and all those wonderful people. Well My mom's parents house was common place for me. Gramps use to take me fishing and we'd go on the ham radio, and me and grams use to chat and chat and chat and cook and she was the best. She introduced me to Our Lady when I was so young (my eyes are filling with tears as I type). She knew, she just knew that I needed our Blessed Mother and Her Son in my life. She planted a most precious seed in my heart, one that would grow for eternity. Please all the grandma's and grandpa's out there. PLEASE share our Lady with all your young grand kids. And do it in a private super special way, one that would be engraved in their hearts for future reference and future wonderful memories. Omg I feel like crying, grandma always told me how special Our Lady was to her. I think of that so often.
My grandma use to have a HUGE Blessed Mother statue on her dresser, there was always prayer cards and rosaries and I remember even dried out roses. I just so remember her that statue. She would always touch it as she walked by it. In detail I remember one of the earliest conversations, I have shared this before. She and I were in the living room, she called me over to her, she was holding her rosary beads. She huddled me next to her, she was such a special loving grandma. I miss her so much. I wish my kids knew her. Back to the story. She brought me close to her, and asked me, "Do you know who the two most special women in my life are?" I don't remember answering, but I remember just looking her in the eyes. She said, "my kid sister Helen, and our Blessed Mother." I didn't know what to say. She then showed me her rosary beads, she told she always prayed her rosary and talked to our Lady. I remember enough at the time, that I honestly didn't know exactly what she meant. I was an altar boy back then, but we weren't at that time a really religious family. But grandma knew to plant the seeds. At her funeral I noticed she wasn't holding her rosary beads. I cried so much, I put mine in her hands. I remember saying, "she has to have her rosary beads when she sees our lady." Please grandma's we need more grandma's like mine out there. LOL. That part of her is so engraved in who I am. She loved our Lady so much, like I do. It's incredible.
Now let me tell you about my Grandpa. He is so cool, I love this guy. In the navy he was a boxer, so he was tough, but incredibly loving. He worked for over 40 years at P&G as a welder. I am so proud of him. He is super smart to this day when it comes to any kind of math. He even challenges my Charlie, his great grandson, it's so cute. And growing up everyone of us grand kids knew our multiplication and division by heart, if we didn't know it when asked, we had us write it out ten times while we were visiting.. I know, omg. But I got to tell you, when us cousins talk about the ole days and we look back and see that as a fond memory, really we do. Grandpa wanted all of us to be good in math, he always said, we need to know it in everything we do, because math is at work and at home in everything. He is right, just think about it. I miss the days I use to spend time with him. We use to go fishing ALOT ! Grandpa use to take me out for breakfast before we went fishing at three in the morning, and we'd talk about what we were going to do, and school and that I would be going to college..right. LOL. He'd tell me all the rules so I wouldn't get hurt or lost in the dark by the beach. Once we got to the beach, he'd help me with the "waiters" that's the long boots/pants you wear so we can walk far into the water and fish, they were so cool, he always had a pair my size.
My goal here today is that you are thinking of your own wonderful memories, or the wonderful memories you'd like to give your grand kids. Sometimes just sharing ones own love for their own family, allows others to gain from it, as well as I do. Please take this message, capture it in your heart, and share it's core (LOVE) with everybody. Engrave your love for them into their hearts. It'll last for eternity, I promise you it will.
Our Life's Challenge: To be that loving parent, grandparent, sister, brother, friend. And always be that person to everybody.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Mary's Way of The Cross
Beads of
Joy 03-27-10
+ Sign of the Cross
Opening Prayer
Mary our Mother, you were there with Jesus as He began His way of the cross. The pain and humiliation must have crushed your heart. Your Son was treated so unfair, He was innocent of all charges. On the contrary, He had healed many and fed many and taught many. How could these same people who seen His kindness and love want to kill Him? Where do you find the strength my Mother to follow Him all the way to the cross? Please dear Mother, walk with me as I to follow your Son to the Cross. He has been condemned to pay the ultimate price for my sins; and my heart screams and yells and my eyes constantly almost uncontrollably cry. I am so sad Mother, I know how important it is that I need to follow your Son to the Cross. Please travel with me, so that by your intercession and my confession, I to maybe able to kneel at the foot of the cross with you. I am so undeserving of His forgiveness and love, there is no excuse for my selfishness. I should have tried harder in stopping my own sinfulness, why must He die for me? I am nothing, he is everything. Please let us begin this journey Mother.
1st Station - Jesus is Condemned to Death
Think about this: Jesus has already been scourged at the pillar and crowned with thorns even before He was brought before Pilate. There was no mercy for Him as He was beaten almost to death.
Mother Mary: How sad and distraught our Blessed Mother must have felt, here her Son was arrested in the middle of the night; beaten and pretty much almost killed by those who say they love God. The scribes and the Pharisees knew who Jesus was, but there selfishness lead them to kill the very man who came from the very God they supposedly worshiped. How much sorrow must have filled your heart Mary. I would image that you seen Jesus at the Pillar, holding on for dear life, as the guards continually, constantly beat your Son. The blood, His precious blood was everywhere. It was a literal blood bath. Many must have wondered how ever could anyone survive this alone. But we know you knew in your heart that you said yes to God and that you knew Jesus also had to say yes. Please allow me on my knees to help you clean up the blood with you. His blood has been shed for me, I do not deserve such love from anybody. Thank You Mary and Praise You Jesus.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
2nd Station - Jesus Carries His Cross
Think about this: This cross was no little stump of wood, Jesus carried a heavy, oversized cross. He was being treated worse than the murderer Barabbas that they freed.
Mother Mary: Oh my dear mother, this journey only gets worse. You now see your Son holding a cross. A cross that was larger than Him, you saw all the blood they beat out of Him. You seen the look on His face when they presented Him before Pilate, the glances He gave you trying to reassure you. You felt your heart bleed with Him. The pain you must be enduring must be so overwhelming. Where do you get all this strength my dear Mother? How can I be like you as I cry and cry, seeing these people hurt and beat my Lord? I have never seen so much hatred and anger directed towards one man before in my entire life. Your Son loved everyone, He treated everyone equally, even those who didn't love Him. Please Mother Mary, show me how by your strength and love for Him that you too can carry this cross. I want to be with Him, I want to follow Him on this journey. I must admit my dear Mother I will cry, and I will suffer pain that I have never felt before witnessing such a brutal murder of such an innocent man.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
3rd Station - Jesus Falls The First Time
Think about this: Jesus has already been scourged, a crown of thorns has been pressed upon His head, and a huge cross and been put on His shoulders to carry. Where did he find the strength? Jesus himself determined to continue fell while still holding on to the cross.
Mother Mary: How could you continue walking with your Son without collapsing in sorrow and pain seeing Him suffer so greatly? This is too much to bear, my heart is screaming at these people, why do they continually whip Him, can't they see He is in pain, can't they see all the blood? The anger and violence towards your Son is only getting worse, Jesus is now on the ground, one knee touching as he holds strong to the cross He must bear. Please Mother allow me to embrace you, and hold you as we both cry and scream to let Him go. I think I know how you must feel Mary, you don't think you can cry anymore, your hurt and pain are beyond tears, you are broken before Him. I feel that way right now, I have so much anger towards these heartless mean cruel people who are killing my Lord; yet in all that I have a desire to pray for them, to forgive them. I know that's not me thinking those thoughts, rather it is your Son who is my heart, helping me and you my mother to be like Him. Even when we fall under the anger and violence of a mean world.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
4th Station - Jesus Meets His Mother
Think about this: The love that must have been shared in their union during such a time of such heart felt pain. Mary finally gets to be face to face with Jesus. Her eyes are swollen from all the tears, her heart is shred to pieces. Yet in all that she senses His strength and His will to do God's will. They both know He must continue.
Mother Mary: My dear precious Mother, however do you have such strength? I know I keep asking that, yet all I see is sorrow and blood everywhere. Your Son, my Lord, they are killing Him mother. These people only seek to destroy Him and end His time with us. Yet this meeting with Him, this moment you and He had the chance to lock eyes and hearts; it has given you such strength my dear mother. Your spirit seems more confident that we must continue, we must allow this to happen. But why mother, why can't I stop crying, I keep crying, my heart is so sad. My heart feels like its being teared apart and there is nothing I can do about it. I am screaming to the top of my lungs inside, yelling at these men who still keep whipping my Lord, why don't they stop. When does all this pain end my dear mother, when? Please pray for me mother. I need the strength you have to continue. I know it is through His death that we are made whole before God. But why must we see and feel and know the pain and suffering He endured? Taking all this in is keeping my eyes focused on Him. That must be why my mother.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
5th Station - Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
Think about this: As the hours and the whipping continues on this journey the cross is getting heavy; all the blood, all the tears in His skin, His body had to be so weak at this point. The guards realize He needs help.
Mother Mary: How much pain He is enduring is now endured upon one of those following Him. Simon has been pulled unwillingly from the crowd. My heart screams now for him, what are they going to do to him, another innocent man. Then mother as you and I together realize, they are having him help Jesus bear the burden of the cross. Oh mother your Son's burden is being lifted by another. Jesus is still teaching us as He is suffering. We to must help one another whenever we can, when we see others suffering. The love that must have flowed from Simon's heart when he eventually realized that he was helping Jesus. He was like us, in the crowd following in disbelief of the brutality that was being brought upon such an innocent man. Oh my tears have slowed down, but I know in my heart that this is far from being over. But this small sigh of relief has rejuvenated my spirit to continue following my Lord with my mother together.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
6th Station - Veronica Wipes The Face of Jesus
Think about this: A woman in the crowd sees Jesus covered in blood, she like us has seen Him fall and struggle with the huge cross. All she wanted to do is comfort Him, oh how I feel the same way.
Mother Mary: My dear mother your Son is loved by so many. We are not alone in this crowd, many here are like us, seeking to comfort and be by our Lord's side as we suffer together. Jesus knew that Veronica's heart was hurting, He knew all she wanted to do is comfort Him. Look mother, she is there wiping His face, making it easier for Jesus to see. Veronica is crying mother, but it looks like tears of Joy, I think a saw her smile. Mother maybe Veronica to senses that we must continue on this journey together. But wait mother those guards are grabbing Veronica and yelling at her. Oh mother I fear for her safety, I fear that her love for Him makes them angry. Please Lord, do not allow her to be harmed, she's only seeking you like we are. Oh thank God mother, those guards pushed her back into the crowd, oh thank you Lord. Why am I crying again? I can't completely stop crying, I know in my heart what is going on here, but I can't stop crying. I know mother, these are a mix of tears of sorrow and of Joy. I can't fully understand them yet, but I trust in the end, that my tears will be all of Joy for your Son, my Lord.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
7th Station - Jesus Falls The Second Time
Think about this: Jesus has fallen again, He is now down on both knees trying to keep the cross on His shoulder. The pain, the weight of the cross, His legs are struggling as he finds that renewed energy to continue.
Mother Mary: My dear sweet mother, your Son is truly suffering, His fall confirms that this is taking its toll on His body, the suffering is getting worse. Mother look at His wounds this fall has teared open so many of them, He is bleeding even more. Oh mother my heart is in so much pain, I feel the tears again mother. Oh no, here they come, I can't stop crying every time I see my Lord suffering like this. What can I do? How can I stop this pain? The more He suffers for me, the more I suffer with Him. Mother why do those guards keep hitting Him, why are they yelling at Him. Oh mother please stay with me, I am trying to understand this with all my heart, but I keep falling back into my own human feelings. I know Jesus is dying for my sins, and that by His death we will be united with Him forever in eternity in Heaven. I....I.. I know that mother. But I can't stop crying for Him. He is an innocent man who is dying for me, an unworthy man. He does not deserve to be treated so cruelly. Please mother help me more fully understand.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
8th Station - Jesus Meets The Women of Jerusalem
Think about this: As Jesus continues to be beaten and yelled at, a group of devout women who have been following Him, are crying for Him, they feel His pain. Yet in all His pain He continues.
Mother Mary: Mother who are all those women? Oh wait I think I recognize some of them. There's the woman whose daughter was raised from the dead, and the others I saw when Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish. Mother these woman have been with Jesus and us all along. They are crying so much mother, I thought my tears were endless, mother I am going to cry with them, I can't help it. The love they are sharing not only for Jesus, but before the crowd is moving all our hearts. I think these are tears of Joy mother. These women are here out of commitment to your Son. They are showing Him in a most sorrowful way that they to stand with Him. Oh no mother, those two guards are walking towards the women. I pray Lord, please protect them. Oh, thank you Lord, mother the guards are only breaking up the women and sending them back into the crowds. My heart has been moved greatly at this station my mother. No matter how long and how hard the road ahead seems, we are not alone. Your Son loves us so much, that he is willing to die for us to save us. Thank you Jesus for sharing these devout, faithful women with us, they have moved my spirit yet even closer to You.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
9th Station - Jesus Falls The Third Time
Think about this: Jesus has fallen again under the weight of a cross that must feel like a thousand pounds by now. His torn up body is getting weaker. This fall that sends Him on His face reminds Him of all the tears that are in His skin. He starts bleeding heavy again.
Mother Mary: My mother why do these guards keep kicking Him when He falls down. Can't they see He is in pain? Oh no mother, Jesus is really bleeding so much more now, this fall is so taking it's toll on His frail beat up body. I pray that He is Ok and that He can somehow find the strength to stand again. Mother I want to run over to Him and embrace Him and tell Him everything will be Ok, I want to stop those soldiers from hitting Him. Why, why, why don't they stop hitting Him, do they think by hitting Him, He will continue. These soldiers have no sense of what it must be like to be beaten, and beaten and beaten almost to death and then forced to carry a cross over dirt and rocks for a long time. Oh how my heart aches for Him. I can't hold all this sorrow in anymore mother, I feel like I am going to scream to the top of my lungs and yell at those hurting Him when He is down. I know mother, I will stand strong with you, as we continue to follow Him. My heart is all teared up. My body feels drained, my eyes are swollen, my face is red. When is this going to end, when will we see Him again.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
10th Station - Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
Think about this: Now they further humiliate Him. Not only have they beaten Him almost to death, and His skin is all teared apart. Now they rip off his garments pulling with it skin and scabs and making Him suffer the humiliation of being made bare before everyone.
Mother Mary: Oh Mother.. Why do they keep offending your Son? Why don't they leave His clothes on, they refuse to allow Him to have any dignity at all even in His death. Why are they so cruel to Him. Hasn't even one solider come to know Jesus for who He is, why won't he step forward and at least defend His dignity as He gets closer to His death. Oh mother, now we can see the rest of His torn body, Jesus has so many cuts and tears all over Him. His body is covered in blood top to bottom. I can see many places pouring and pumping out blood. STOP !!!!!!!!!!!!! Please stop, you are killing my Lord, I can't take this anymore, I stand here and watch those who hate Him, kill Him, with no conscience or concern for Him. STOP !!!!!!!!!! Do you soldiers not have a single spec of conscience for what you are doing? Why must you humiliate such a loving, caring Savior? Why must you offend Him before everyone? Haven't you offended Him enough? Please STOP. At least allow Him to die with some sort of dignity. He has healed and cured so many, why are you treating Him like this? Please mother help me to understand, I see your tears, I know you are crying inside, please help me embrace His will like you have.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
11th Station - Jesus is Nailed to The Cross
Think about this: After this very long walk, Jesus' body is all torn apart, He is bleeding horribly and His garments have been removed. Now the soldiers stretch out His arms and nail Him to the cross.
Mother Mary: Oh No Mother !! I knew that this would come to this. OH NO, PLEASE DON'T !!! I can't watch this, there are three soldiers holding hammers and long nails. They are going to nail His hands to the ends of the cross and His feet at the bottom. STOP, OH PLEASE !!!!!!, you are killing Him. I know, I know, He has to do this in order to defeat death for us, but Lord, they are so cruel to You. Your body is all teared apart, blood is everywhere. Blood is even squirting out as they hammer your body to the cross. Lord please help me to understand, even more so then I already do. Please mother stay with me throughout my life, so that I to can be strong like you. Mother you are crying even more now than before. Oh mother, please tell me what you are feeling. How can I comfort you? How can I show you how much I care about you and your Son? Mother you are the closest to Jesus, the blood that flowed through your body, flows through His. The blood we see now splattered all over throughout this walk is part of you. Your suffering must be so deep, so painful. But why are you crying? I know what you're saying. These tears are of Joy knowing that He is about to defeat death for all of us. And by following Him, I am comforting you. Thank You Mother.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
12th Station - Jesus Dies on The Cross
Think about this: It is finished! Jesus has died upon the cross, the cross He carried, the cross He is nailed to, the cross His blood is covered in. The defeat of death is near.
Mother Mary: I know mother even though we know He is about to defeat death, we can't help but cry for Him. We knew He was going to die at the end of all this. We knew that after bleeding as much as He did, that it wouldn't take much for Him to die. We also knew that He had to die, but mother all of us are crying even more. I think the reality of His death is here now for all to see. We can plainly see His limp body, having been drained of the blood and water by the solider, that He is indeed dead. Oh mother, why, why, why, wasn't there some other way that God could have done this? God sent us His only Son, someone so many have fallen in love with, someone who cared so much about us. And those who hated Him killed Him before us. We must stand strong together now, we must wait for His return. Jesus promised that in three days, he'd rebuild the temple. We know He is coming back, our tears turn into tears of Joy now. We are crying, but we are crying knowing that He will rise and defeat death, and death will never ever have a hold on any of us ever again.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
13th Station - Jesus is Taken Down From The Cross
Think about this: Now Jesus is dead, the disciples took His body down. Mary is waiting at the foot of the cross. She wants to hold her Son, she wants to forever remember Him in her arms. So much sorrow, yet so much relief that He is no longer suffering.
Mother Mary: Oh my dear mother. Your Son is in your arms. Do you recall holding Him as an infant? Do you remember helping Him walk? How about the first time He fell as a toddler, did you pick Him up and hug Him? Your sorrow right now, must be filled with so many memories, memories only you can remember. You are His mother, you taught Him to speak, and to eat and to walk; you were there with Him in the most important part of His life protecting Him. Yet now when He needed help the most from those who wanted to kill Him. You and all of us were helpless, and we couldn't do anything to comfort Him. I am not crying anymore my mother. I sort of feel relieved that He is no longer suffering anymore. He looks at peace in your arms. Both you and He seem content knowing what is to come. That connection you have with Him is what helped you along this long journey, isn't it. I intend to spend the rest of my life with you mother, as I walk with you to be with your Son. I wish to learn from you, as I adore the one who has died for me.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
14th Station - Jesus is Laid in The Tomb
Think about this: The disciples carry Jesus to a borrowed tomb. It here that they lay his body to rest, covered in sheet.
Mother Mary: So many are talking about Him now mother. Remember all the things He told us. And now we know from what He said, that we should see Him again. Because He said in three days he'd rise from the dead. So many of the women remain by the tomb praying for Him, while others talk about what has happened. I wonder mother, do you sense Him as He rises? Do you know before everyone else that he is here. A mother usually has that sixth sense of knowing things and feeling things before everyone else. I pray that you did know and that you did feel Him before anyone else did. That connection you and He had was so special, that no one else on earth throughout all the ages could ever know that connection. Thank you mother for being with me, as I walked with you on a most sorrowful walk, as Jesus suffered and died for all our sins.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
Closing Prayer
My Lord, this has been a long journey, I feel so ashamed, and so guilty of what my sin has done to you. My mind all over the place trying to figure out how I can make my life a better one, one that is more in line with what your will is for me. A life that doesn't offend you. A life that will no longer crucify you because of my sins and selfishness. Your walk to Calvary took a toll on my heart and my soul, I cried so much for You. I never realized how much you suffered for me. Your love for me is beyond what I ever thought, until I seen you die up on that cross. Please teach me more about your cross, and my own daily cross. I like you wish to embrace my daily cross. After seeing you defeat the cross with your death. I am no longer afraid of death, or following after You. Thank you also Lord for allowing us to embrace Your mother. She has brought us much comfort and understanding. Praise You Jesus. Glory and Honor to You Lord Jesus.
Mary's Way of
The Cross
w/ Rosary Man Jim
w/ Rosary Man Jim
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
+ Sign of the Cross
Opening Prayer
Mary our Mother, you were there with Jesus as He began His way of the cross. The pain and humiliation must have crushed your heart. Your Son was treated so unfair, He was innocent of all charges. On the contrary, He had healed many and fed many and taught many. How could these same people who seen His kindness and love want to kill Him? Where do you find the strength my Mother to follow Him all the way to the cross? Please dear Mother, walk with me as I to follow your Son to the Cross. He has been condemned to pay the ultimate price for my sins; and my heart screams and yells and my eyes constantly almost uncontrollably cry. I am so sad Mother, I know how important it is that I need to follow your Son to the Cross. Please travel with me, so that by your intercession and my confession, I to maybe able to kneel at the foot of the cross with you. I am so undeserving of His forgiveness and love, there is no excuse for my selfishness. I should have tried harder in stopping my own sinfulness, why must He die for me? I am nothing, he is everything. Please let us begin this journey Mother.
1st Station - Jesus is Condemned to Death
Think about this: Jesus has already been scourged at the pillar and crowned with thorns even before He was brought before Pilate. There was no mercy for Him as He was beaten almost to death.
Mother Mary: How sad and distraught our Blessed Mother must have felt, here her Son was arrested in the middle of the night; beaten and pretty much almost killed by those who say they love God. The scribes and the Pharisees knew who Jesus was, but there selfishness lead them to kill the very man who came from the very God they supposedly worshiped. How much sorrow must have filled your heart Mary. I would image that you seen Jesus at the Pillar, holding on for dear life, as the guards continually, constantly beat your Son. The blood, His precious blood was everywhere. It was a literal blood bath. Many must have wondered how ever could anyone survive this alone. But we know you knew in your heart that you said yes to God and that you knew Jesus also had to say yes. Please allow me on my knees to help you clean up the blood with you. His blood has been shed for me, I do not deserve such love from anybody. Thank You Mary and Praise You Jesus.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
2nd Station - Jesus Carries His Cross
Think about this: This cross was no little stump of wood, Jesus carried a heavy, oversized cross. He was being treated worse than the murderer Barabbas that they freed.
Mother Mary: Oh my dear mother, this journey only gets worse. You now see your Son holding a cross. A cross that was larger than Him, you saw all the blood they beat out of Him. You seen the look on His face when they presented Him before Pilate, the glances He gave you trying to reassure you. You felt your heart bleed with Him. The pain you must be enduring must be so overwhelming. Where do you get all this strength my dear Mother? How can I be like you as I cry and cry, seeing these people hurt and beat my Lord? I have never seen so much hatred and anger directed towards one man before in my entire life. Your Son loved everyone, He treated everyone equally, even those who didn't love Him. Please Mother Mary, show me how by your strength and love for Him that you too can carry this cross. I want to be with Him, I want to follow Him on this journey. I must admit my dear Mother I will cry, and I will suffer pain that I have never felt before witnessing such a brutal murder of such an innocent man.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
3rd Station - Jesus Falls The First Time
Think about this: Jesus has already been scourged, a crown of thorns has been pressed upon His head, and a huge cross and been put on His shoulders to carry. Where did he find the strength? Jesus himself determined to continue fell while still holding on to the cross.
Mother Mary: How could you continue walking with your Son without collapsing in sorrow and pain seeing Him suffer so greatly? This is too much to bear, my heart is screaming at these people, why do they continually whip Him, can't they see He is in pain, can't they see all the blood? The anger and violence towards your Son is only getting worse, Jesus is now on the ground, one knee touching as he holds strong to the cross He must bear. Please Mother allow me to embrace you, and hold you as we both cry and scream to let Him go. I think I know how you must feel Mary, you don't think you can cry anymore, your hurt and pain are beyond tears, you are broken before Him. I feel that way right now, I have so much anger towards these heartless mean cruel people who are killing my Lord; yet in all that I have a desire to pray for them, to forgive them. I know that's not me thinking those thoughts, rather it is your Son who is my heart, helping me and you my mother to be like Him. Even when we fall under the anger and violence of a mean world.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
4th Station - Jesus Meets His Mother
Think about this: The love that must have been shared in their union during such a time of such heart felt pain. Mary finally gets to be face to face with Jesus. Her eyes are swollen from all the tears, her heart is shred to pieces. Yet in all that she senses His strength and His will to do God's will. They both know He must continue.
Mother Mary: My dear precious Mother, however do you have such strength? I know I keep asking that, yet all I see is sorrow and blood everywhere. Your Son, my Lord, they are killing Him mother. These people only seek to destroy Him and end His time with us. Yet this meeting with Him, this moment you and He had the chance to lock eyes and hearts; it has given you such strength my dear mother. Your spirit seems more confident that we must continue, we must allow this to happen. But why mother, why can't I stop crying, I keep crying, my heart is so sad. My heart feels like its being teared apart and there is nothing I can do about it. I am screaming to the top of my lungs inside, yelling at these men who still keep whipping my Lord, why don't they stop. When does all this pain end my dear mother, when? Please pray for me mother. I need the strength you have to continue. I know it is through His death that we are made whole before God. But why must we see and feel and know the pain and suffering He endured? Taking all this in is keeping my eyes focused on Him. That must be why my mother.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
5th Station - Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
Think about this: As the hours and the whipping continues on this journey the cross is getting heavy; all the blood, all the tears in His skin, His body had to be so weak at this point. The guards realize He needs help.
Mother Mary: How much pain He is enduring is now endured upon one of those following Him. Simon has been pulled unwillingly from the crowd. My heart screams now for him, what are they going to do to him, another innocent man. Then mother as you and I together realize, they are having him help Jesus bear the burden of the cross. Oh mother your Son's burden is being lifted by another. Jesus is still teaching us as He is suffering. We to must help one another whenever we can, when we see others suffering. The love that must have flowed from Simon's heart when he eventually realized that he was helping Jesus. He was like us, in the crowd following in disbelief of the brutality that was being brought upon such an innocent man. Oh my tears have slowed down, but I know in my heart that this is far from being over. But this small sigh of relief has rejuvenated my spirit to continue following my Lord with my mother together.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
6th Station - Veronica Wipes The Face of Jesus
Think about this: A woman in the crowd sees Jesus covered in blood, she like us has seen Him fall and struggle with the huge cross. All she wanted to do is comfort Him, oh how I feel the same way.
Mother Mary: My dear mother your Son is loved by so many. We are not alone in this crowd, many here are like us, seeking to comfort and be by our Lord's side as we suffer together. Jesus knew that Veronica's heart was hurting, He knew all she wanted to do is comfort Him. Look mother, she is there wiping His face, making it easier for Jesus to see. Veronica is crying mother, but it looks like tears of Joy, I think a saw her smile. Mother maybe Veronica to senses that we must continue on this journey together. But wait mother those guards are grabbing Veronica and yelling at her. Oh mother I fear for her safety, I fear that her love for Him makes them angry. Please Lord, do not allow her to be harmed, she's only seeking you like we are. Oh thank God mother, those guards pushed her back into the crowd, oh thank you Lord. Why am I crying again? I can't completely stop crying, I know in my heart what is going on here, but I can't stop crying. I know mother, these are a mix of tears of sorrow and of Joy. I can't fully understand them yet, but I trust in the end, that my tears will be all of Joy for your Son, my Lord.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
7th Station - Jesus Falls The Second Time
Think about this: Jesus has fallen again, He is now down on both knees trying to keep the cross on His shoulder. The pain, the weight of the cross, His legs are struggling as he finds that renewed energy to continue.
Mother Mary: My dear sweet mother, your Son is truly suffering, His fall confirms that this is taking its toll on His body, the suffering is getting worse. Mother look at His wounds this fall has teared open so many of them, He is bleeding even more. Oh mother my heart is in so much pain, I feel the tears again mother. Oh no, here they come, I can't stop crying every time I see my Lord suffering like this. What can I do? How can I stop this pain? The more He suffers for me, the more I suffer with Him. Mother why do those guards keep hitting Him, why are they yelling at Him. Oh mother please stay with me, I am trying to understand this with all my heart, but I keep falling back into my own human feelings. I know Jesus is dying for my sins, and that by His death we will be united with Him forever in eternity in Heaven. I....I.. I know that mother. But I can't stop crying for Him. He is an innocent man who is dying for me, an unworthy man. He does not deserve to be treated so cruelly. Please mother help me more fully understand.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
8th Station - Jesus Meets The Women of Jerusalem
Think about this: As Jesus continues to be beaten and yelled at, a group of devout women who have been following Him, are crying for Him, they feel His pain. Yet in all His pain He continues.
Mother Mary: Mother who are all those women? Oh wait I think I recognize some of them. There's the woman whose daughter was raised from the dead, and the others I saw when Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish. Mother these woman have been with Jesus and us all along. They are crying so much mother, I thought my tears were endless, mother I am going to cry with them, I can't help it. The love they are sharing not only for Jesus, but before the crowd is moving all our hearts. I think these are tears of Joy mother. These women are here out of commitment to your Son. They are showing Him in a most sorrowful way that they to stand with Him. Oh no mother, those two guards are walking towards the women. I pray Lord, please protect them. Oh, thank you Lord, mother the guards are only breaking up the women and sending them back into the crowds. My heart has been moved greatly at this station my mother. No matter how long and how hard the road ahead seems, we are not alone. Your Son loves us so much, that he is willing to die for us to save us. Thank you Jesus for sharing these devout, faithful women with us, they have moved my spirit yet even closer to You.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
9th Station - Jesus Falls The Third Time
Think about this: Jesus has fallen again under the weight of a cross that must feel like a thousand pounds by now. His torn up body is getting weaker. This fall that sends Him on His face reminds Him of all the tears that are in His skin. He starts bleeding heavy again.
Mother Mary: My mother why do these guards keep kicking Him when He falls down. Can't they see He is in pain? Oh no mother, Jesus is really bleeding so much more now, this fall is so taking it's toll on His frail beat up body. I pray that He is Ok and that He can somehow find the strength to stand again. Mother I want to run over to Him and embrace Him and tell Him everything will be Ok, I want to stop those soldiers from hitting Him. Why, why, why don't they stop hitting Him, do they think by hitting Him, He will continue. These soldiers have no sense of what it must be like to be beaten, and beaten and beaten almost to death and then forced to carry a cross over dirt and rocks for a long time. Oh how my heart aches for Him. I can't hold all this sorrow in anymore mother, I feel like I am going to scream to the top of my lungs and yell at those hurting Him when He is down. I know mother, I will stand strong with you, as we continue to follow Him. My heart is all teared up. My body feels drained, my eyes are swollen, my face is red. When is this going to end, when will we see Him again.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
10th Station - Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
Think about this: Now they further humiliate Him. Not only have they beaten Him almost to death, and His skin is all teared apart. Now they rip off his garments pulling with it skin and scabs and making Him suffer the humiliation of being made bare before everyone.
Mother Mary: Oh Mother.. Why do they keep offending your Son? Why don't they leave His clothes on, they refuse to allow Him to have any dignity at all even in His death. Why are they so cruel to Him. Hasn't even one solider come to know Jesus for who He is, why won't he step forward and at least defend His dignity as He gets closer to His death. Oh mother, now we can see the rest of His torn body, Jesus has so many cuts and tears all over Him. His body is covered in blood top to bottom. I can see many places pouring and pumping out blood. STOP !!!!!!!!!!!!! Please stop, you are killing my Lord, I can't take this anymore, I stand here and watch those who hate Him, kill Him, with no conscience or concern for Him. STOP !!!!!!!!!! Do you soldiers not have a single spec of conscience for what you are doing? Why must you humiliate such a loving, caring Savior? Why must you offend Him before everyone? Haven't you offended Him enough? Please STOP. At least allow Him to die with some sort of dignity. He has healed and cured so many, why are you treating Him like this? Please mother help me to understand, I see your tears, I know you are crying inside, please help me embrace His will like you have.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
11th Station - Jesus is Nailed to The Cross
Think about this: After this very long walk, Jesus' body is all torn apart, He is bleeding horribly and His garments have been removed. Now the soldiers stretch out His arms and nail Him to the cross.
Mother Mary: Oh No Mother !! I knew that this would come to this. OH NO, PLEASE DON'T !!! I can't watch this, there are three soldiers holding hammers and long nails. They are going to nail His hands to the ends of the cross and His feet at the bottom. STOP, OH PLEASE !!!!!!, you are killing Him. I know, I know, He has to do this in order to defeat death for us, but Lord, they are so cruel to You. Your body is all teared apart, blood is everywhere. Blood is even squirting out as they hammer your body to the cross. Lord please help me to understand, even more so then I already do. Please mother stay with me throughout my life, so that I to can be strong like you. Mother you are crying even more now than before. Oh mother, please tell me what you are feeling. How can I comfort you? How can I show you how much I care about you and your Son? Mother you are the closest to Jesus, the blood that flowed through your body, flows through His. The blood we see now splattered all over throughout this walk is part of you. Your suffering must be so deep, so painful. But why are you crying? I know what you're saying. These tears are of Joy knowing that He is about to defeat death for all of us. And by following Him, I am comforting you. Thank You Mother.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
12th Station - Jesus Dies on The Cross
Think about this: It is finished! Jesus has died upon the cross, the cross He carried, the cross He is nailed to, the cross His blood is covered in. The defeat of death is near.
Mother Mary: I know mother even though we know He is about to defeat death, we can't help but cry for Him. We knew He was going to die at the end of all this. We knew that after bleeding as much as He did, that it wouldn't take much for Him to die. We also knew that He had to die, but mother all of us are crying even more. I think the reality of His death is here now for all to see. We can plainly see His limp body, having been drained of the blood and water by the solider, that He is indeed dead. Oh mother, why, why, why, wasn't there some other way that God could have done this? God sent us His only Son, someone so many have fallen in love with, someone who cared so much about us. And those who hated Him killed Him before us. We must stand strong together now, we must wait for His return. Jesus promised that in three days, he'd rebuild the temple. We know He is coming back, our tears turn into tears of Joy now. We are crying, but we are crying knowing that He will rise and defeat death, and death will never ever have a hold on any of us ever again.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
13th Station - Jesus is Taken Down From The Cross
Think about this: Now Jesus is dead, the disciples took His body down. Mary is waiting at the foot of the cross. She wants to hold her Son, she wants to forever remember Him in her arms. So much sorrow, yet so much relief that He is no longer suffering.
Mother Mary: Oh my dear mother. Your Son is in your arms. Do you recall holding Him as an infant? Do you remember helping Him walk? How about the first time He fell as a toddler, did you pick Him up and hug Him? Your sorrow right now, must be filled with so many memories, memories only you can remember. You are His mother, you taught Him to speak, and to eat and to walk; you were there with Him in the most important part of His life protecting Him. Yet now when He needed help the most from those who wanted to kill Him. You and all of us were helpless, and we couldn't do anything to comfort Him. I am not crying anymore my mother. I sort of feel relieved that He is no longer suffering anymore. He looks at peace in your arms. Both you and He seem content knowing what is to come. That connection you have with Him is what helped you along this long journey, isn't it. I intend to spend the rest of my life with you mother, as I walk with you to be with your Son. I wish to learn from you, as I adore the one who has died for me.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
14th Station - Jesus is Laid in The Tomb
Think about this: The disciples carry Jesus to a borrowed tomb. It here that they lay his body to rest, covered in sheet.
Mother Mary: So many are talking about Him now mother. Remember all the things He told us. And now we know from what He said, that we should see Him again. Because He said in three days he'd rise from the dead. So many of the women remain by the tomb praying for Him, while others talk about what has happened. I wonder mother, do you sense Him as He rises? Do you know before everyone else that he is here. A mother usually has that sixth sense of knowing things and feeling things before everyone else. I pray that you did know and that you did feel Him before anyone else did. That connection you and He had was so special, that no one else on earth throughout all the ages could ever know that connection. Thank you mother for being with me, as I walked with you on a most sorrowful walk, as Jesus suffered and died for all our sins.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
Closing Prayer
My Lord, this has been a long journey, I feel so ashamed, and so guilty of what my sin has done to you. My mind all over the place trying to figure out how I can make my life a better one, one that is more in line with what your will is for me. A life that doesn't offend you. A life that will no longer crucify you because of my sins and selfishness. Your walk to Calvary took a toll on my heart and my soul, I cried so much for You. I never realized how much you suffered for me. Your love for me is beyond what I ever thought, until I seen you die up on that cross. Please teach me more about your cross, and my own daily cross. I like you wish to embrace my daily cross. After seeing you defeat the cross with your death. I am no longer afraid of death, or following after You. Thank you also Lord for allowing us to embrace Your mother. She has brought us much comfort and understanding. Praise You Jesus. Glory and Honor to You Lord Jesus.
Your brother
in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey, Jr. SFO
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey, Jr. SFO
Friday, March 26, 2010
Mary's Way of The Cross 5 of 5
Beads of Joy 03-26-10
Mary's Way of The Cross (5 of 5)
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Lent 2010 - Day 38
Hello Everyone,
We have come to the final day in this series. My body is so drained from the all the tears, and all the stress of watching them kill my Lord. Watch the movie "The Passion of The Christ" over and over and over; and believe me you will be torn apart and drawn face to face with the reality of how much Jesus suffered for us. That movie probably comes the closest as to how mean and violent they really were to Jesus. I would think though in reality, that He was probably treated even worse in the real experience of the times. I hope this week of blogs has drawn you even closer to Jesus. These were meant to allow you to be with me as I was (and you) were side by side with our dear Blessed Mother, as she followed her Son to His death. One could only imagine the thoughts, the pain, the suffering of a mother, as she watched her Son being beaten and killed right before her eyes. I see these stations as I see my rosary (very emotional) to the reality of what they really mean. Tears cleanse and help us to better understand. Sometimes crying and yelling and getting it all out in the end, makes us better understand; not only what He did for us, but that we really really love Him.
13th Station - Jesus is Taken Down From The Cross
Think about this: Now Jesus is dead, the disciples took His body down. Mary is waiting at the foot of the cross. She wants to hold her Son, she wants to forever remember Him in her arms. So much sorrow, yet so much relief that He is no longer suffering.
Mother Mary: Oh my dear mother. Your Son is in your arms. Do you recall holding Him as an infant? Do you remember helping Him walk? How about the first time He fell as a toddler, did you pick Him up and hug Him? Your sorrow right now, must be filled with so many memories, memories only you can remember. You are His mother, you taught Him to speak, and to eat and to walk; you were there with Him in the most important part of His life protecting Him. Yet now when He needed help the most from those who wanted to kill Him. You and all of us were helpless, and we couldn't do anything to comfort Him. I am not crying anymore my mother. I sort of feel relieved that He is no longer suffering anymore. He looks at peace in your arms. Both you and He seem content knowing what is to come. That connection you have with Him is what helped you along this long journey, isn't it. I intend to spend the rest of my life with you mother, as I walk with you to be with your Son. I wish to learn from you, as I adore the one who has died for me.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
14th Station - Jesus is Laid in The Tomb
Think about this: The disciples carry Jesus to a borrowed tomb. It here that they lay his body to rest, covered in sheet.
Mother Mary: So many are talking about Him now mother. Remember all the things He told us. And now we know from what He said, that we should see Him again. Because He said in three days he'd rise from the dead. So many of the women remain by the tomb praying for Him, while others talk about what has happened. I wonder mother, do you sense Him as He rises? Do you know before everyone else that he is here. A mother usually has that sixth sense of knowing things and feeling things before everyone else. I pray that you did know and that you did feel Him before anyone else did. That connection you and He had was so special, that no one else on earth throughout all the ages could ever know that connection. Thank you mother for being with me, as I walked with you on a most sorrowful walk, as Jesus suffered and died for all our sins.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
Closing Prayer
My Lord, this has been a long journey, I feel so ashamed, and so guilty of what my sin has done to you. My mind all over the place trying to figure out how I can make my life a better one, one that is more in line with what your will is for me. A life that doesn't offend you. A life that will no longer crucify you because of my sins and selfishness. Your walk to Calvary took a toll on my heart and my soul, I cried so much for You. I never realized how much you suffered for me. Your love for me is beyond what I ever thought, until I seen you die up on that cross. Please teach me more about your cross, and my own daily cross. I like you wish to embrace my daily cross. After seeing you defeat the cross with your death. I am no longer afraid of death, or following after You. Thank you also Lord for allowing us to embrace Your mother. She has brought us much comfort and understanding. Praise You Jesus. Glory and Honor to You Lord Jesus.
This Weeks Challenge: Meditate on the Stations with our dear sweet Blessed Mother. Think of how she must have felt as a mother.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Mary's Way of The Cross (5 of 5)
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Lent 2010 - Day 38
Hello Everyone,
We have come to the final day in this series. My body is so drained from the all the tears, and all the stress of watching them kill my Lord. Watch the movie "The Passion of The Christ" over and over and over; and believe me you will be torn apart and drawn face to face with the reality of how much Jesus suffered for us. That movie probably comes the closest as to how mean and violent they really were to Jesus. I would think though in reality, that He was probably treated even worse in the real experience of the times. I hope this week of blogs has drawn you even closer to Jesus. These were meant to allow you to be with me as I was (and you) were side by side with our dear Blessed Mother, as she followed her Son to His death. One could only imagine the thoughts, the pain, the suffering of a mother, as she watched her Son being beaten and killed right before her eyes. I see these stations as I see my rosary (very emotional) to the reality of what they really mean. Tears cleanse and help us to better understand. Sometimes crying and yelling and getting it all out in the end, makes us better understand; not only what He did for us, but that we really really love Him.
13th Station - Jesus is Taken Down From The Cross
Think about this: Now Jesus is dead, the disciples took His body down. Mary is waiting at the foot of the cross. She wants to hold her Son, she wants to forever remember Him in her arms. So much sorrow, yet so much relief that He is no longer suffering.
Mother Mary: Oh my dear mother. Your Son is in your arms. Do you recall holding Him as an infant? Do you remember helping Him walk? How about the first time He fell as a toddler, did you pick Him up and hug Him? Your sorrow right now, must be filled with so many memories, memories only you can remember. You are His mother, you taught Him to speak, and to eat and to walk; you were there with Him in the most important part of His life protecting Him. Yet now when He needed help the most from those who wanted to kill Him. You and all of us were helpless, and we couldn't do anything to comfort Him. I am not crying anymore my mother. I sort of feel relieved that He is no longer suffering anymore. He looks at peace in your arms. Both you and He seem content knowing what is to come. That connection you have with Him is what helped you along this long journey, isn't it. I intend to spend the rest of my life with you mother, as I walk with you to be with your Son. I wish to learn from you, as I adore the one who has died for me.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
14th Station - Jesus is Laid in The Tomb
Think about this: The disciples carry Jesus to a borrowed tomb. It here that they lay his body to rest, covered in sheet.
Mother Mary: So many are talking about Him now mother. Remember all the things He told us. And now we know from what He said, that we should see Him again. Because He said in three days he'd rise from the dead. So many of the women remain by the tomb praying for Him, while others talk about what has happened. I wonder mother, do you sense Him as He rises? Do you know before everyone else that he is here. A mother usually has that sixth sense of knowing things and feeling things before everyone else. I pray that you did know and that you did feel Him before anyone else did. That connection you and He had was so special, that no one else on earth throughout all the ages could ever know that connection. Thank you mother for being with me, as I walked with you on a most sorrowful walk, as Jesus suffered and died for all our sins.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
Closing Prayer
My Lord, this has been a long journey, I feel so ashamed, and so guilty of what my sin has done to you. My mind all over the place trying to figure out how I can make my life a better one, one that is more in line with what your will is for me. A life that doesn't offend you. A life that will no longer crucify you because of my sins and selfishness. Your walk to Calvary took a toll on my heart and my soul, I cried so much for You. I never realized how much you suffered for me. Your love for me is beyond what I ever thought, until I seen you die up on that cross. Please teach me more about your cross, and my own daily cross. I like you wish to embrace my daily cross. After seeing you defeat the cross with your death. I am no longer afraid of death, or following after You. Thank you also Lord for allowing us to embrace Your mother. She has brought us much comfort and understanding. Praise You Jesus. Glory and Honor to You Lord Jesus.
This Weeks Challenge: Meditate on the Stations with our dear sweet Blessed Mother. Think of how she must have felt as a mother.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Mary's Way of The Cross 4 of 5
Beads of Joy 03-25-10
Mary's Way of The Cross (4 of 5)
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Lent 2010 - Day 37
Hello Everyone,
This has been a very long week of tears. The journey we call the Stations of The Cross continues today with our dear mother by our side. The pain she must be experiencing just seems to be worse each step we take. Every station bears a new challenge for all of us. Her Son, our Lord is being beaten to death as he walks. Why doesn't anyone step in and defend Him, I keep asking myself that as I follow. Jesus healed and cured so many, did He not have so many followers that no one should have been able to touch Him. I know He had to die to save us, but seeing Him suffer so greatly just eats away at my insides. I can't help but cry so much as I witness the violence of my sins taken upon Him. He is almost dead and yet they keep hitting Him, they keep kicking Him , why oh why don't they let Him have any dignity at all, is this world that cruel? Or is it that our sins are that cruel? I know it's our sinfulness that has killed Him, He had to take upon Himself our wrongs so that he can make them right before God. I pray for strength as we continue.
10th Station - Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
Think about this: Now they further humiliate Him. Not only have they beaten Him almost to death, and His skin is all teared apart. Now they rip off his garments pulling with it skin and scabs and making Him suffer the humiliation of being made bare before everyone.
Mother Mary: Oh Mother.. Why do they keep offending your Son? Why don't they leave His clothes on, they refuse to allow Him to have any dignity at all even in His death. Why are they so cruel to Him. Hasn't even one solider come to know Jesus for who He is, why won't he step forward and at least defend His dignity as He gets closer to His death. Oh mother, now we can see the rest of His torn body, Jesus has so many cuts and tears all over Him. His body is covered in blood top to bottom. I can see many places pouring and pumping out blood. STOP !!!!!!!!!!!!! Please stop, you are killing my Lord, I can't take this anymore, I stand here and watch those who hate Him, kill Him, with no conscience or concern for Him. STOP !!!!!!!!!! Do you soldiers not have a single spec of conscience for what you are doing? Why must you humiliate such an loving, caring Savior? Why must you offend Him before everyone? Haven't you offended Him enough? Please STOP. At least allow Him to die with some sort of dignity. He has healed and cured so many, why are you treating Him like this? Please mother help me to understand, I see your tears, I know you are crying inside, please help me embrace His will like you have.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
11th Station - Jesus is Nailed to The Cross
Think about this: After this very long walk, Jesus' body is all torn apart, He is bleeding horribly and His garments have been removed. Now the soldiers stretch out His arms and nail Him to the cross.
Mother Mary: Oh No Mother !! I knew that this would come to this. OH NO, PLEASE DON'T !!! I can't watch this, there are three soldiers holding hammers and long nails. They are going to nail His hands to the ends of the cross and His feet at the bottom. STOP, OH PLEASE !!!!!!, you are killing Him. I know, I know, He has to do this in order to defeat death for us, but Lord, they are so cruel to You. Your body is all teared apart, blood is everywhere. Blood is even squirting out as they hammer your body to the cross. Lord please help me to understand, even more so then I already do. Please mother stay with me throughout my life, so that I to can be strong like you. Mother you are crying even more now than before. Oh mother, please tell me what you are feeling. How can I comfort you? How can I show you how much I care about you and your Son? Mother you are the closest to Jesus, the blood that flowed through your body, flows through His. The blood we see now splattered all over throughout this walk is part of you. Your suffering must be so deep, so painful. But why are you crying? I know what you're saying. These tears are of Joy knowing that He is about to defeat death for all of us. And by following Him, I am comforting you. Thank You Mother.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
12th Station - Jesus Dies on The Cross
Think about this: It is finished ! Jesus has died upon the cross, the cross He carried, the cross He is nailed to, the cross His blood is covered in. The defeat of death is near.
Mother Mary: I know mother even though we know He is about to defeat death, we can't help but cry for Him. We knew He was going to die at the end of all this. We knew that after bleeding as much as He did, that it wouldn't take much for Him to die. We also knew that He had to die, but mother all of us are crying even more. I think the reality of His death is here now for all to see. We can plainly see His limp body, having been drained of the blood and water by the solider, that He is indeed dead. Oh mother, why, why, why, wasn't there some other way that God could have done this? God sent us His only Son, someone so many have fallen in love with, someone who cared so much about us. And those who hated Him killed Him before us. We must stand strong together now, we must wait for His return. Jesus promised that in three days, he'd rebuild the temple. We know He is coming back, our tears turn into tears of Joy now. We are crying, but we are crying knowing that He will rise and defeat death, and death will never ever have a hold on any of us ever again.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
This Weeks Challenge: Meditate on the Stations with our dear sweet Blessed Mother. Think of how she must have felt as a mother.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Mary's Way of The Cross (4 of 5)
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Lent 2010 - Day 37
Hello Everyone,
This has been a very long week of tears. The journey we call the Stations of The Cross continues today with our dear mother by our side. The pain she must be experiencing just seems to be worse each step we take. Every station bears a new challenge for all of us. Her Son, our Lord is being beaten to death as he walks. Why doesn't anyone step in and defend Him, I keep asking myself that as I follow. Jesus healed and cured so many, did He not have so many followers that no one should have been able to touch Him. I know He had to die to save us, but seeing Him suffer so greatly just eats away at my insides. I can't help but cry so much as I witness the violence of my sins taken upon Him. He is almost dead and yet they keep hitting Him, they keep kicking Him , why oh why don't they let Him have any dignity at all, is this world that cruel? Or is it that our sins are that cruel? I know it's our sinfulness that has killed Him, He had to take upon Himself our wrongs so that he can make them right before God. I pray for strength as we continue.
10th Station - Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
Think about this: Now they further humiliate Him. Not only have they beaten Him almost to death, and His skin is all teared apart. Now they rip off his garments pulling with it skin and scabs and making Him suffer the humiliation of being made bare before everyone.
Mother Mary: Oh Mother.. Why do they keep offending your Son? Why don't they leave His clothes on, they refuse to allow Him to have any dignity at all even in His death. Why are they so cruel to Him. Hasn't even one solider come to know Jesus for who He is, why won't he step forward and at least defend His dignity as He gets closer to His death. Oh mother, now we can see the rest of His torn body, Jesus has so many cuts and tears all over Him. His body is covered in blood top to bottom. I can see many places pouring and pumping out blood. STOP !!!!!!!!!!!!! Please stop, you are killing my Lord, I can't take this anymore, I stand here and watch those who hate Him, kill Him, with no conscience or concern for Him. STOP !!!!!!!!!! Do you soldiers not have a single spec of conscience for what you are doing? Why must you humiliate such an loving, caring Savior? Why must you offend Him before everyone? Haven't you offended Him enough? Please STOP. At least allow Him to die with some sort of dignity. He has healed and cured so many, why are you treating Him like this? Please mother help me to understand, I see your tears, I know you are crying inside, please help me embrace His will like you have.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
11th Station - Jesus is Nailed to The Cross
Think about this: After this very long walk, Jesus' body is all torn apart, He is bleeding horribly and His garments have been removed. Now the soldiers stretch out His arms and nail Him to the cross.
Mother Mary: Oh No Mother !! I knew that this would come to this. OH NO, PLEASE DON'T !!! I can't watch this, there are three soldiers holding hammers and long nails. They are going to nail His hands to the ends of the cross and His feet at the bottom. STOP, OH PLEASE !!!!!!, you are killing Him. I know, I know, He has to do this in order to defeat death for us, but Lord, they are so cruel to You. Your body is all teared apart, blood is everywhere. Blood is even squirting out as they hammer your body to the cross. Lord please help me to understand, even more so then I already do. Please mother stay with me throughout my life, so that I to can be strong like you. Mother you are crying even more now than before. Oh mother, please tell me what you are feeling. How can I comfort you? How can I show you how much I care about you and your Son? Mother you are the closest to Jesus, the blood that flowed through your body, flows through His. The blood we see now splattered all over throughout this walk is part of you. Your suffering must be so deep, so painful. But why are you crying? I know what you're saying. These tears are of Joy knowing that He is about to defeat death for all of us. And by following Him, I am comforting you. Thank You Mother.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
12th Station - Jesus Dies on The Cross
Think about this: It is finished ! Jesus has died upon the cross, the cross He carried, the cross He is nailed to, the cross His blood is covered in. The defeat of death is near.
Mother Mary: I know mother even though we know He is about to defeat death, we can't help but cry for Him. We knew He was going to die at the end of all this. We knew that after bleeding as much as He did, that it wouldn't take much for Him to die. We also knew that He had to die, but mother all of us are crying even more. I think the reality of His death is here now for all to see. We can plainly see His limp body, having been drained of the blood and water by the solider, that He is indeed dead. Oh mother, why, why, why, wasn't there some other way that God could have done this? God sent us His only Son, someone so many have fallen in love with, someone who cared so much about us. And those who hated Him killed Him before us. We must stand strong together now, we must wait for His return. Jesus promised that in three days, he'd rebuild the temple. We know He is coming back, our tears turn into tears of Joy now. We are crying, but we are crying knowing that He will rise and defeat death, and death will never ever have a hold on any of us ever again.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
This Weeks Challenge: Meditate on the Stations with our dear sweet Blessed Mother. Think of how she must have felt as a mother.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Mary's Way of The Cross 3 of 5
Beads of Joy 03-24-10
Mary's Way of The Cross (3 of 5)
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Lent 2010 - Day 36
Hello Everyone,
Today we continue this most painful journey together with Jesus and His mother. These past few days have been long, but we are half way there. We have indeed come a long way, many tears have fallen and there is a glimmer of Joy in all this. But my heart senses many more tears will fall before all this is over. As I look down the road, I see that Calvary is still a long walk off, I know we have a long way to go, if not only in distance but in understanding. I continually pray for wisdom Lord, and I ask that your mother; the one person who was so connected to You, help me in my walk to You. She has a love for You that I desire to have. She has a conviction for You that I want to possess also in my heart. She just knows that we must continue to follow you, even though our hearts tell us to fight for you to have them release you, she knows that we must let this all happen so that You can save all of us. I trust in her trust in You.
7th Station - Jesus Falls The Second Time
Think about this: Jesus has fallen again, He is now down on both knees trying to keep the cross on His shoulder. The pain, the weight of the cross, His legs are struggling as he finds that renewed energy to continue.
Mother Mary: My dear sweet mother, your Son is truly suffering, His fall confirms that this is taking it's toll on His body, the suffering is getting worse. Mother look at His wounds this fall has teared open so many of them, He is bleeding even more. Oh mother my heart is in so much pain, I feel the tears again mother. Oh no, here they come, I can't stop crying every time I see my Lord suffering like this. What can I do? How can I stop this pain? The more He suffers for me, the more I suffer with Him. Mother why do those guards keep hitting Him, why are they yelling at Him. Oh mother please stay with me, I am trying to understand this with all my heart, but I keep falling back into my own human feelings. I know Jesus is dying for my sins, and that by His death we will be united with Him forever in eternity in Heaven. I....I.. I know that mother. But I can't stop crying for Him. He is an innocent man who is dying for me, an unworthy man. He does not deserve to be treated so cruelly. Please mother help me more fully understand.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
8th Station - Jesus Meets The Women of Jerusalem
Think about this: As Jesus continues to be beaten and yelled at, a group of devout women who have been following Him, are crying for Him, they feel His pain. Yet in all His pain He continues.
Mother Mary: Mother who are all those women? Oh wait I think I recognize some of them. There's the woman who's daughter was raised from the dead, and the others I saw when Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish. Mother these woman have been with Jesus and us all along. They are crying so much mother, I thought my tears were endless, mother I am going to cry with them, I can't help it. The love they are sharing not only for Jesus, but before the crowd is moving all our hearts. I think these are tears of Joy mother. These women are here out of commitment to your Son. They are showing Him in a most sorrowful way that they to stand with Him. Oh no mother, those two guards are walking towards the women. I pray Lord, please protect them. Oh, thank you Lord, mother the guards are only breaking up the women and sending them back into the crowds. My heart has been moved greatly at this station my mother. No matter how long and how hard the road ahead seems, we are not alone. Your Son loves us so much, that he is willing to die for us to save us. Thank you Jesus for sharing these devout, faithful women with us, they have moved my spirit yet even closer to You.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
9th Station - Jesus Falls The Third Time
Think about this: Jesus has fallen again under the weight of a cross that must feel like a thousand pounds by now. His torn up body is getting weaker. This fall that sends Him on His face reminds Him of all the tears that are in His skin. He starts bleeding heavy again.
Mother Mary: My mother why do these guards keep kicking Him when He falls down. Can't they see He is in pain? Oh no mother, Jesus is really bleeding so much more now, this fall is so taking it's toll on His frail beat up body. I pray that He is Ok and that He can somehow find the strength to stand again. Mother I want to run over to Him and embrace Him and tell Him everything will be Ok, I want to stop those soldiers from hitting Him. Why, why, why don't they stop hitting Him, do they think by hitting Him, He will continue. These soldiers have no sense of what it must be like to be beaten, and beaten and beaten almost to death and then forced to carry a cross over dirt and rocks for a long time. Oh how my heart aches for Him. I can't hold all this sorrow in anymore mother, I feel like I am going to scream to the top of my lungs and yell at those hurting Him when He is down. I know mother, I will stand strong with you, as we continue to follow Him. My heart is all teared up. My body feels drained, my eyes are swollen, my face is red. When is this going to end, when will we see Him again.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
This Weeks Challenge: Meditate on the Stations with our dear sweet Blessed Mother. Think of how she must have felt as a mother.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Mary's Way of The Cross (3 of 5)
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Lent 2010 - Day 36
Hello Everyone,
Today we continue this most painful journey together with Jesus and His mother. These past few days have been long, but we are half way there. We have indeed come a long way, many tears have fallen and there is a glimmer of Joy in all this. But my heart senses many more tears will fall before all this is over. As I look down the road, I see that Calvary is still a long walk off, I know we have a long way to go, if not only in distance but in understanding. I continually pray for wisdom Lord, and I ask that your mother; the one person who was so connected to You, help me in my walk to You. She has a love for You that I desire to have. She has a conviction for You that I want to possess also in my heart. She just knows that we must continue to follow you, even though our hearts tell us to fight for you to have them release you, she knows that we must let this all happen so that You can save all of us. I trust in her trust in You.
7th Station - Jesus Falls The Second Time
Think about this: Jesus has fallen again, He is now down on both knees trying to keep the cross on His shoulder. The pain, the weight of the cross, His legs are struggling as he finds that renewed energy to continue.
Mother Mary: My dear sweet mother, your Son is truly suffering, His fall confirms that this is taking it's toll on His body, the suffering is getting worse. Mother look at His wounds this fall has teared open so many of them, He is bleeding even more. Oh mother my heart is in so much pain, I feel the tears again mother. Oh no, here they come, I can't stop crying every time I see my Lord suffering like this. What can I do? How can I stop this pain? The more He suffers for me, the more I suffer with Him. Mother why do those guards keep hitting Him, why are they yelling at Him. Oh mother please stay with me, I am trying to understand this with all my heart, but I keep falling back into my own human feelings. I know Jesus is dying for my sins, and that by His death we will be united with Him forever in eternity in Heaven. I....I.. I know that mother. But I can't stop crying for Him. He is an innocent man who is dying for me, an unworthy man. He does not deserve to be treated so cruelly. Please mother help me more fully understand.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
8th Station - Jesus Meets The Women of Jerusalem
Think about this: As Jesus continues to be beaten and yelled at, a group of devout women who have been following Him, are crying for Him, they feel His pain. Yet in all His pain He continues.
Mother Mary: Mother who are all those women? Oh wait I think I recognize some of them. There's the woman who's daughter was raised from the dead, and the others I saw when Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish. Mother these woman have been with Jesus and us all along. They are crying so much mother, I thought my tears were endless, mother I am going to cry with them, I can't help it. The love they are sharing not only for Jesus, but before the crowd is moving all our hearts. I think these are tears of Joy mother. These women are here out of commitment to your Son. They are showing Him in a most sorrowful way that they to stand with Him. Oh no mother, those two guards are walking towards the women. I pray Lord, please protect them. Oh, thank you Lord, mother the guards are only breaking up the women and sending them back into the crowds. My heart has been moved greatly at this station my mother. No matter how long and how hard the road ahead seems, we are not alone. Your Son loves us so much, that he is willing to die for us to save us. Thank you Jesus for sharing these devout, faithful women with us, they have moved my spirit yet even closer to You.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
9th Station - Jesus Falls The Third Time
Think about this: Jesus has fallen again under the weight of a cross that must feel like a thousand pounds by now. His torn up body is getting weaker. This fall that sends Him on His face reminds Him of all the tears that are in His skin. He starts bleeding heavy again.
Mother Mary: My mother why do these guards keep kicking Him when He falls down. Can't they see He is in pain? Oh no mother, Jesus is really bleeding so much more now, this fall is so taking it's toll on His frail beat up body. I pray that He is Ok and that He can somehow find the strength to stand again. Mother I want to run over to Him and embrace Him and tell Him everything will be Ok, I want to stop those soldiers from hitting Him. Why, why, why don't they stop hitting Him, do they think by hitting Him, He will continue. These soldiers have no sense of what it must be like to be beaten, and beaten and beaten almost to death and then forced to carry a cross over dirt and rocks for a long time. Oh how my heart aches for Him. I can't hold all this sorrow in anymore mother, I feel like I am going to scream to the top of my lungs and yell at those hurting Him when He is down. I know mother, I will stand strong with you, as we continue to follow Him. My heart is all teared up. My body feels drained, my eyes are swollen, my face is red. When is this going to end, when will we see Him again.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
This Weeks Challenge: Meditate on the Stations with our dear sweet Blessed Mother. Think of how she must have felt as a mother.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Mary's Way of The Cross 2 of 5
Beads of Joy 03-23-10
Mary's Way of The Cross (2 of 5)
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Lent 2010 - Day 35
Hello Everyone,
Let us continue walking with our dear Blessed Mother as she walks with us, with her Son. My dear brothers and sisters, does not your heart ache for Him like mine does? Are you as sad and hurt as much as our dear Mother is? Can we even comprehend what must being going on inside her precious heart as she sees her Son being treated with such anger, hatred and violence? There are so many thoughts racing through my head as I try to take all this in. Tears, oh so many tears is all this has come to. Every step, every station, it's all about tears. Please Lord continue drawing us closer to you. We must repent for what evil we have brought upon You. You are enduring all of my sin, all of my selfishness, all of my stupid selfish ways. Please Lord, I can't help but cry for You. You are so undeserving of such pain. I deserve what You are receiving, I deserve the wrath of my sin, I deserve death Lord. Why have you given up everything for me? What have I done worthy of such love? Why Lord? Why?.... Because your Father loves me so much. I keep crying Lord hearing you say that. These tears are now tears of Joy. Let us continue.
4th Station - Jesus Meets His Mother
Think about this: The love that must have been shared in their union during such a time of such heart felt pain. Mary finally gets to be face to face with Jesus. Her eyes are swollen from all the tears, her heart is shred to pieces. Yet in all that she senses His strength and His will to do God's will. They both know He must continue.
Mother Mary: My dear precious Mother, however do you have such strength? I know I keep asking that, yet all I see is sorrow and blood everywhere. Your Son, my Lord, they are killing Him mother. These people only seek to destroy Him and end His time with us. Yet this meeting with Him, this moment you and He had the chance to lock eyes and hearts; it has given you such strength my dear mother. Your spirit seems more confident that we must continue, we must allow this to happen. But why mother, why can't I stop crying, I keep crying, my heart is so sad. My heart feels like it's being teared apart and there is nothing I can do about it. I am screaming to the top of my lungs inside, yelling at these men who still keep whipping my Lord, why don't they stop. When does all this pain end my dear mother, when? Please pray for me mother. I need the strength you have to continue. I know it is through His death that we are made whole before God. But why must we see and feel and know the pain and suffering He endured? Taking all this in is keeping my eyes focused on Him. That must be why my mother.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
5th Station - Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
Think about this: As the hours and the whipping continues on this journey the cross is getting heavy; all the blood, all the tears in His skin, His body had to be so weak at this point. The guards realize He needs help.
Mother Mary: How much pain He is enduring is now endured upon one of those following Him. Simon has been pulled unwillingly from the crowd. My heart screams now for him, what are they going to do to him, another innocent man. Then mother as you and I together realize, they are having him help Jesus bear the burden of the cross. Oh mother your Son's burden is being lifted by another. Jesus is still teaching us as He is suffering. We to must help one another whenever we can, when we see others suffering. The love that must have flowed from Simon's heart when he eventually realized that he was helping Jesus. He was like us, in the crowd following in disbelief of the brutality that was being brought upon such an innocent man. Oh my tears have slowed down, but I know in my heart that this is far from being over. But this small sigh of relief has rejuvenated my spirit to continue following my Lord with my mother together.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
6th Station - Veronica Wipes The Face of Jesus
Think about this: A woman in the crowd sees Jesus covered in blood, she like us has seen Him fall and struggle with the huge cross. All she wanted to do is comfort Him, oh how I feel the same way.
Mother Mary: My dear mother your Son is loved by so many. We are not alone in this crowd, many here are like us, seeking to comfort and be by our Lord's side as we suffer together. Jesus knew that Veronica's heart was hurting, He knew all she wanted to do is comfort Him. Look mother, she is there wiping His face, making it easier for Jesus to see. Veronica is crying mother, but it looks like tears of Joy, I think a saw her smile. Mother maybe Veronica to senses that we must continue on this journey together. But wait mother those guards are grabbing Veronica and yelling at her. Oh mother I fear for her safety, I fear that her love for Him makes them angry. Please Lord, do not allow her to be harmed, she's only seeking you like we are. Oh thank God mother, those guards pushed her back into the crowd, oh thank you Lord. Why am I crying again? I can't completely stop crying, I know in my heart what is going on here, but I can't stop crying. I know mother, these are a mix of tears of sorrow and of Joy. I can't fully understand them yet, but I trust in the end, that my tears will be all of Joy for your Son, my Lord.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
This Weeks Challenge: Meditate on the Stations with our dear sweet Blessed Mother. Think of how she must have felt as a mother.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Mary's Way of The Cross (2 of 5)
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Lent 2010 - Day 35
Hello Everyone,
Let us continue walking with our dear Blessed Mother as she walks with us, with her Son. My dear brothers and sisters, does not your heart ache for Him like mine does? Are you as sad and hurt as much as our dear Mother is? Can we even comprehend what must being going on inside her precious heart as she sees her Son being treated with such anger, hatred and violence? There are so many thoughts racing through my head as I try to take all this in. Tears, oh so many tears is all this has come to. Every step, every station, it's all about tears. Please Lord continue drawing us closer to you. We must repent for what evil we have brought upon You. You are enduring all of my sin, all of my selfishness, all of my stupid selfish ways. Please Lord, I can't help but cry for You. You are so undeserving of such pain. I deserve what You are receiving, I deserve the wrath of my sin, I deserve death Lord. Why have you given up everything for me? What have I done worthy of such love? Why Lord? Why?.... Because your Father loves me so much. I keep crying Lord hearing you say that. These tears are now tears of Joy. Let us continue.
4th Station - Jesus Meets His Mother
Think about this: The love that must have been shared in their union during such a time of such heart felt pain. Mary finally gets to be face to face with Jesus. Her eyes are swollen from all the tears, her heart is shred to pieces. Yet in all that she senses His strength and His will to do God's will. They both know He must continue.
Mother Mary: My dear precious Mother, however do you have such strength? I know I keep asking that, yet all I see is sorrow and blood everywhere. Your Son, my Lord, they are killing Him mother. These people only seek to destroy Him and end His time with us. Yet this meeting with Him, this moment you and He had the chance to lock eyes and hearts; it has given you such strength my dear mother. Your spirit seems more confident that we must continue, we must allow this to happen. But why mother, why can't I stop crying, I keep crying, my heart is so sad. My heart feels like it's being teared apart and there is nothing I can do about it. I am screaming to the top of my lungs inside, yelling at these men who still keep whipping my Lord, why don't they stop. When does all this pain end my dear mother, when? Please pray for me mother. I need the strength you have to continue. I know it is through His death that we are made whole before God. But why must we see and feel and know the pain and suffering He endured? Taking all this in is keeping my eyes focused on Him. That must be why my mother.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
5th Station - Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
Think about this: As the hours and the whipping continues on this journey the cross is getting heavy; all the blood, all the tears in His skin, His body had to be so weak at this point. The guards realize He needs help.
Mother Mary: How much pain He is enduring is now endured upon one of those following Him. Simon has been pulled unwillingly from the crowd. My heart screams now for him, what are they going to do to him, another innocent man. Then mother as you and I together realize, they are having him help Jesus bear the burden of the cross. Oh mother your Son's burden is being lifted by another. Jesus is still teaching us as He is suffering. We to must help one another whenever we can, when we see others suffering. The love that must have flowed from Simon's heart when he eventually realized that he was helping Jesus. He was like us, in the crowd following in disbelief of the brutality that was being brought upon such an innocent man. Oh my tears have slowed down, but I know in my heart that this is far from being over. But this small sigh of relief has rejuvenated my spirit to continue following my Lord with my mother together.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
6th Station - Veronica Wipes The Face of Jesus
Think about this: A woman in the crowd sees Jesus covered in blood, she like us has seen Him fall and struggle with the huge cross. All she wanted to do is comfort Him, oh how I feel the same way.
Mother Mary: My dear mother your Son is loved by so many. We are not alone in this crowd, many here are like us, seeking to comfort and be by our Lord's side as we suffer together. Jesus knew that Veronica's heart was hurting, He knew all she wanted to do is comfort Him. Look mother, she is there wiping His face, making it easier for Jesus to see. Veronica is crying mother, but it looks like tears of Joy, I think a saw her smile. Mother maybe Veronica to senses that we must continue on this journey together. But wait mother those guards are grabbing Veronica and yelling at her. Oh mother I fear for her safety, I fear that her love for Him makes them angry. Please Lord, do not allow her to be harmed, she's only seeking you like we are. Oh thank God mother, those guards pushed her back into the crowd, oh thank you Lord. Why am I crying again? I can't completely stop crying, I know in my heart what is going on here, but I can't stop crying. I know mother, these are a mix of tears of sorrow and of Joy. I can't fully understand them yet, but I trust in the end, that my tears will be all of Joy for your Son, my Lord.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
This Weeks Challenge: Meditate on the Stations with our dear sweet Blessed Mother. Think of how she must have felt as a mother.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Monday, March 22, 2010
Mary's Way of The Cross 1 of 5
Beads of Joy 03-22-10
Mary's Way of The Cross (1 of 5)
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Lent 2010 - Day 34
Hello Everyone,
Today we start a fun and interesting series reflecting on both Jesus and Mary called "Mary's Way of The Cross". After much prayer, which prayer will a part of this and a chat with my friend Bernadette Walker this is where all roads led to "Jesus", and by way of His cross with His mother with Him. The Stations of the Cross are a wonderful part of our Lenten walk. I have put together on my own, my own thoughts, reflections, feelings and interpretation of how our dear blessed Mother may have felt as she walked with Jesus to His horrible death. We shall feel what Mary may have felt, and pray to a God who loves us so much; that He allowed His only begotten Son was put to such a horrible death, on a cross. Each day we will reflect on three stations, all done in order, and on the last day we will have the final two stations. This walk will take all week, but at the end of the week, you will have a most fascinating reflection to use and expand upon. I prayed all week to the Holy Spirit to help lead me as I wrote this all out. I know I will even surprise myself by what will be written; but remember all credit goes to Jesus alone, I am but a servant, here only to serve. Please follow Jesus to the cross with us. He who is without sin has died for our sin. Let's begin with a prayer.
+ Sign of the Cross
Mary our Mother, you were there with Jesus as He began His way of the cross. The pain and humiliation must have crushed your heart. Your Son was treated so unfair, He was innocent of all charges. On the contrary, He had healed many and fed many and taught many. How could these same people who seen His kindness and love want to kill Him? Where do you find the strength my Mother to follow Him all the way to the cross? Please dear Mother, walk with me as I to follow your Son to the Cross. He has been condemned to pay the ultimate price for my sins; and my heart screams and yells and my eyes constantly almost uncontrollably cry. I am so sad Mother, I know how important it is that I need to follow your Son to the Cross. Please travel with me, so that by your intercession and my confession, I to maybe able to kneel at the foot of the cross with you. I am so undeserving of His forgiveness and love, there is no excuse for my selfishness. I should have tried harder in stopping my own sinfulness, why must He die for me? I am nothing, he is everything. Please let us begin this journey Mother.
1st Station - Jesus is Condemned to Death
Think about this: Jesus has already been scourged at the pillar and crowned with thorns even before He was brought before Pilate. There was no mercy for Him as He was beaten almost to death.
Mother Mary: How sad and distraught our Blessed Mother must have felt, here her Son was arrested in the middle of the night; beaten and pretty much almost killed by those who say they love God. The scribes and the Pharisees knew who Jesus was, but there selfishness lead them to kill the very man who came from the very God they supposedly worshiped. How much sorrow must have filled your heart Mary. I would image that you seen Jesus at the Pillar, holding on for dear life, as the guards continually, constantly beat your Son. The blood, His precious blood was everywhere. It was a literal blood bath. Many must have wondered how ever could anyone survive this alone. But we know you knew in your heart that you said yes to God and that you knew Jesus also had to say yes. Please allow me on my knees to help you clean up the blood with you. His blood has been shed for me, I do not deserve such love from anybody. Thank You Mary and Praise You Jesus.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
2nd Station - Jesus Carries His Cross
Think about this: This cross was no little stump of wood, Jesus carried a heavy, over sized cross. He was being treated worse than the murderer Barabbas that they freed.
Mother Mary: Oh my dear mother, this journey only gets worse. You now see your Son holding a cross. A cross that was larger than Him, you saw all the blood they beat out of Him. You seen the look on His face when they presented Him before Pilate, the glances He gave you trying to reassure you. You felt your heart bleed with Him. The pain you must be enduring must be so overwhelming. Where do you get all this strength my dear Mother? How can I be like you as I cry and cry, seeing these people hurt and beat my Lord. I have never seen so much hatred and anger directed towards one man before in my entire life. Your Son loved everyone, He treated everyone equally, even those who didn't love Him. Please Mother Mary, show me how by your strength and love for Him that you to can carry this cross. I want to be with Him, I want to follow Him on this journey. I must admit my dear Mother I will cry, and I will suffer pain that I have never felt before witnessing such a brutal murder of such an innocent man.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
3rd Station - Jesus Falls The First Time
Think about this: Jesus has already been scourged, a crown of thorns has been pressed upon His head, and a huge cross and been put on His shoulders to carry. Where did he find the strength? Jesus himself determined to continue fell while still holding on to the cross.
Mother Mary: How could you continue walking with your Son without collapsing in sorrow and pain seeing Him suffer so greatly? This is too much to bear, my heart is screaming at these people, why do they continually whip Him, can't they see He is in pain, can't they see all the blood? The anger and violence towards your Son is only getting worse, Jesus is now on the ground, one knee touching as he holds strong to the cross He must bear. Please Mother allow me to embrace you, and hold you as we both cry and scream to let Him go. I think I know how you must feel Mary, you don't think you can cry anymore, your hurt and pain are beyond tears, you are broken before Him. I feel that way right now, I have so much anger towards these heartless mean cruel people who are killing my Lord; yet in all that I have a desire to pray for them, to forgive them. I know that's not me thinking those thoughts, rather it is your Son who is my heart, helping me and you my mother to be like Him. Even when we fall under the anger and violence of a mean world.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
This Weeks Challenge: Meditate on the Stations with our dear sweet Blessed Mother. Think of how she must have felt as a mother.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Mary's Way of The Cross (1 of 5)
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Lent 2010 - Day 34
Hello Everyone,
Today we start a fun and interesting series reflecting on both Jesus and Mary called "Mary's Way of The Cross". After much prayer, which prayer will a part of this and a chat with my friend Bernadette Walker this is where all roads led to "Jesus", and by way of His cross with His mother with Him. The Stations of the Cross are a wonderful part of our Lenten walk. I have put together on my own, my own thoughts, reflections, feelings and interpretation of how our dear blessed Mother may have felt as she walked with Jesus to His horrible death. We shall feel what Mary may have felt, and pray to a God who loves us so much; that He allowed His only begotten Son was put to such a horrible death, on a cross. Each day we will reflect on three stations, all done in order, and on the last day we will have the final two stations. This walk will take all week, but at the end of the week, you will have a most fascinating reflection to use and expand upon. I prayed all week to the Holy Spirit to help lead me as I wrote this all out. I know I will even surprise myself by what will be written; but remember all credit goes to Jesus alone, I am but a servant, here only to serve. Please follow Jesus to the cross with us. He who is without sin has died for our sin. Let's begin with a prayer.
+ Sign of the Cross
Mary our Mother, you were there with Jesus as He began His way of the cross. The pain and humiliation must have crushed your heart. Your Son was treated so unfair, He was innocent of all charges. On the contrary, He had healed many and fed many and taught many. How could these same people who seen His kindness and love want to kill Him? Where do you find the strength my Mother to follow Him all the way to the cross? Please dear Mother, walk with me as I to follow your Son to the Cross. He has been condemned to pay the ultimate price for my sins; and my heart screams and yells and my eyes constantly almost uncontrollably cry. I am so sad Mother, I know how important it is that I need to follow your Son to the Cross. Please travel with me, so that by your intercession and my confession, I to maybe able to kneel at the foot of the cross with you. I am so undeserving of His forgiveness and love, there is no excuse for my selfishness. I should have tried harder in stopping my own sinfulness, why must He die for me? I am nothing, he is everything. Please let us begin this journey Mother.
1st Station - Jesus is Condemned to Death
Think about this: Jesus has already been scourged at the pillar and crowned with thorns even before He was brought before Pilate. There was no mercy for Him as He was beaten almost to death.
Mother Mary: How sad and distraught our Blessed Mother must have felt, here her Son was arrested in the middle of the night; beaten and pretty much almost killed by those who say they love God. The scribes and the Pharisees knew who Jesus was, but there selfishness lead them to kill the very man who came from the very God they supposedly worshiped. How much sorrow must have filled your heart Mary. I would image that you seen Jesus at the Pillar, holding on for dear life, as the guards continually, constantly beat your Son. The blood, His precious blood was everywhere. It was a literal blood bath. Many must have wondered how ever could anyone survive this alone. But we know you knew in your heart that you said yes to God and that you knew Jesus also had to say yes. Please allow me on my knees to help you clean up the blood with you. His blood has been shed for me, I do not deserve such love from anybody. Thank You Mary and Praise You Jesus.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
2nd Station - Jesus Carries His Cross
Think about this: This cross was no little stump of wood, Jesus carried a heavy, over sized cross. He was being treated worse than the murderer Barabbas that they freed.
Mother Mary: Oh my dear mother, this journey only gets worse. You now see your Son holding a cross. A cross that was larger than Him, you saw all the blood they beat out of Him. You seen the look on His face when they presented Him before Pilate, the glances He gave you trying to reassure you. You felt your heart bleed with Him. The pain you must be enduring must be so overwhelming. Where do you get all this strength my dear Mother? How can I be like you as I cry and cry, seeing these people hurt and beat my Lord. I have never seen so much hatred and anger directed towards one man before in my entire life. Your Son loved everyone, He treated everyone equally, even those who didn't love Him. Please Mother Mary, show me how by your strength and love for Him that you to can carry this cross. I want to be with Him, I want to follow Him on this journey. I must admit my dear Mother I will cry, and I will suffer pain that I have never felt before witnessing such a brutal murder of such an innocent man.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
3rd Station - Jesus Falls The First Time
Think about this: Jesus has already been scourged, a crown of thorns has been pressed upon His head, and a huge cross and been put on His shoulders to carry. Where did he find the strength? Jesus himself determined to continue fell while still holding on to the cross.
Mother Mary: How could you continue walking with your Son without collapsing in sorrow and pain seeing Him suffer so greatly? This is too much to bear, my heart is screaming at these people, why do they continually whip Him, can't they see He is in pain, can't they see all the blood? The anger and violence towards your Son is only getting worse, Jesus is now on the ground, one knee touching as he holds strong to the cross He must bear. Please Mother allow me to embrace you, and hold you as we both cry and scream to let Him go. I think I know how you must feel Mary, you don't think you can cry anymore, your hurt and pain are beyond tears, you are broken before Him. I feel that way right now, I have so much anger towards these heartless mean cruel people who are killing my Lord; yet in all that I have a desire to pray for them, to forgive them. I know that's not me thinking those thoughts, rather it is your Son who is my heart, helping me and you my mother to be like Him. Even when we fall under the anger and violence of a mean world.
-Our Father... -Hail Mary... -Glory Be...
This Weeks Challenge: Meditate on the Stations with our dear sweet Blessed Mother. Think of how she must have felt as a mother.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Among You Who Is Without Sin
Beads of Joy 03-21-10
Among You Who Is Without Sin
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Lent 2010 - Day 33
Hello Everyone,
Today is the 5th Sunday in Lent. This has been a most joyous journey as we draw closer to Easter. The gospel we are reflecting on today is John 8:1-11 (A Woman Caught in Adultery). In this wonderful gospel where Jesus not only gives pardon to the woman, but He also gives her a fresh new start. This is what Lent is all about, a chance for all of us to clean the slate before our Lord, and have a fresh new start. In this gospel Jesus is there for the woman when she is confronted by the crowd; they judged her harshly for the many sins of her life. But Jesus challenged their judgment and they left her alone; many I am sure pondering their own sins. Remember that Jesus forbid us to judge each other; so while she was being condemned by everyone else Jesus in all His wisdom, mercy and love forgave the woman. His compassion for the sinner is endless, nothing is more important for Him than to forgive us and make us clean before God. It is only through God's grace that we will able to confront our sins, and repent and beg God for forgiveness. It's not that we need to beg, He will always forgive us, but we must not be so assumptive and arrogant, for that would only lead us to more sin.
We can also reflect on our past ignorance that has led us into our own personal sinful affairs. I would think that since Jesus had only just begun His ministry, so much that He was teaching still wasn't heard. This woman was probably living a life that for whatever reason she may have thought, "there is no God. So what difference does it make what I do." Her faith was not alive, until she met Jesus, Son of the Most High God. Her heart and soul were open to the truth and it was the "truth" in Jesus that set her free. What an absolutely exciting feeling that is when you know Him and He forgives you for all the evil you have done. No one on planet earth has any power to do such a wonderful loving thing like that for us.
Do we seriously know the joy that can be found in a really good open honest confession? We are accountable to God for the things we do in this life. I know many people live a life that obviously don't reflect such sediment; but in the end it's true, we are all accountable for our own choices and decisions. That's why we don't have any right to judge one another, instead we need to be loving and compassionate to one another helping one another defeat the sin. Do you know another very powerful, extremely eternal gift that God gave each of us? Each other !!! That's right we have one another for all eternity to share God's love with each other. That's why we must do what we can to help one another to eternity. Take a good hard look at all the wonderful friends you have in your life. How many really know Jesus? How many do you love that you know don't know Jesus. I know what you're probably thinking, "should I share Jesus with them?" My answer is yes, but in each situation, we need to approach that differently. Some may just need your prayers, others might need someone to love them, or forgive them. But be compassionate. When they see you, they need to see Jesus. There's an ole song that goes like this, "They will know we are Christians by our Love.."
What can we do now in our lives, so that we to can confront our own sins and bid them farewell? For starters let us not look upon anyone else, but only ourselves. Look in the mirror, it's that person who needs your attention and judgment. If each of us makes our own self accountable for the sin that we commit, we will become a more God fearing, God loving world. Jesus gave us a warning against these things. "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:1-4. AMEN !! In other words, why are you noticing that little spec of annoying sin in your brother's eye, when you have such a huge plank of sin in your own. Let's live a life pleasing to God. Sin only offends Him and further alienates us from Him. Here is a very insightful verse, "To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted." Titus 1:15.
Today's Challenge: Frequent Confession. The church requires once a year. Fr Larry Richards recommends once a month, he says it's good for the soul. I can't help but to agree.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Among You Who Is Without Sin
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Lent 2010 - Day 33
Hello Everyone,
Today is the 5th Sunday in Lent. This has been a most joyous journey as we draw closer to Easter. The gospel we are reflecting on today is John 8:1-11 (A Woman Caught in Adultery). In this wonderful gospel where Jesus not only gives pardon to the woman, but He also gives her a fresh new start. This is what Lent is all about, a chance for all of us to clean the slate before our Lord, and have a fresh new start. In this gospel Jesus is there for the woman when she is confronted by the crowd; they judged her harshly for the many sins of her life. But Jesus challenged their judgment and they left her alone; many I am sure pondering their own sins. Remember that Jesus forbid us to judge each other; so while she was being condemned by everyone else Jesus in all His wisdom, mercy and love forgave the woman. His compassion for the sinner is endless, nothing is more important for Him than to forgive us and make us clean before God. It is only through God's grace that we will able to confront our sins, and repent and beg God for forgiveness. It's not that we need to beg, He will always forgive us, but we must not be so assumptive and arrogant, for that would only lead us to more sin.
We can also reflect on our past ignorance that has led us into our own personal sinful affairs. I would think that since Jesus had only just begun His ministry, so much that He was teaching still wasn't heard. This woman was probably living a life that for whatever reason she may have thought, "there is no God. So what difference does it make what I do." Her faith was not alive, until she met Jesus, Son of the Most High God. Her heart and soul were open to the truth and it was the "truth" in Jesus that set her free. What an absolutely exciting feeling that is when you know Him and He forgives you for all the evil you have done. No one on planet earth has any power to do such a wonderful loving thing like that for us.
Do we seriously know the joy that can be found in a really good open honest confession? We are accountable to God for the things we do in this life. I know many people live a life that obviously don't reflect such sediment; but in the end it's true, we are all accountable for our own choices and decisions. That's why we don't have any right to judge one another, instead we need to be loving and compassionate to one another helping one another defeat the sin. Do you know another very powerful, extremely eternal gift that God gave each of us? Each other !!! That's right we have one another for all eternity to share God's love with each other. That's why we must do what we can to help one another to eternity. Take a good hard look at all the wonderful friends you have in your life. How many really know Jesus? How many do you love that you know don't know Jesus. I know what you're probably thinking, "should I share Jesus with them?" My answer is yes, but in each situation, we need to approach that differently. Some may just need your prayers, others might need someone to love them, or forgive them. But be compassionate. When they see you, they need to see Jesus. There's an ole song that goes like this, "They will know we are Christians by our Love.."
What can we do now in our lives, so that we to can confront our own sins and bid them farewell? For starters let us not look upon anyone else, but only ourselves. Look in the mirror, it's that person who needs your attention and judgment. If each of us makes our own self accountable for the sin that we commit, we will become a more God fearing, God loving world. Jesus gave us a warning against these things. "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:1-4. AMEN !! In other words, why are you noticing that little spec of annoying sin in your brother's eye, when you have such a huge plank of sin in your own. Let's live a life pleasing to God. Sin only offends Him and further alienates us from Him. Here is a very insightful verse, "To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted." Titus 1:15.
Today's Challenge: Frequent Confession. The church requires once a year. Fr Larry Richards recommends once a month, he says it's good for the soul. I can't help but to agree.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Always Praying The Rosary
Beads of Joy 03-20-10
Always Praying The Rosary©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
Lent 2010 - Day 32
Hello Everyone,
Today I'd like to share, some very special personal joy, that I have found in always praying my rosary. As many of you know and some don't, four years ago I began my second career in my life. Yes I am at that age where I have time after spending twenty years doing one thing; I now have the time to do something else. LOL, no I am not going to slip into the goofy mode, though these experiences are so exciting. Well 4 years ago I got my CDL-A License, meaning that I can drive tractor trailers or any other kind of truck. I obviously chose to drive a tractor trailer. And in that choice my first experience was for over-the-road; meaning I'd be transporting goods over all of the continental US, and Canada. Believe me it turned out to be even more fun then it sounds. I was very blessed to have been in pretty much every single major city in the US and 45 states. And I was even in Ontario, Canada at their John Deere plant where on several occasions I delivered tractors and tractor equipment to multiple Texas locations. The reason I start out by saying all that, is to kinda have you envision the excitement that there really was. And I want to kinda take you there in this blog experience. I do miss it, and I may return by this summer, we'll see. Janelle and Al were my two online spiritual buddies on this journey.
See there is some significance's to this experience. In 1983 I began a Rosary Ministry, the beginning of it all... then about a year prior to this experience on MySpace I began a Rosary Ministry called (Praying The Rosary Across America). And the object was and still is, to create a fellowship network of people who share the same love and devotion to the rosary. All that was started without ever thinking I'd actually be going across country. I dreamed that maybe one day I would, but I never thought it to be within a year. Anyhow I know that living in a truck don't exactly sound glamorous, but I want to make it sound more than what it is. But I will say that a sleeper in the average tractor trailer, especially if it's the condo style is actually pretty nice. I had a brand new black, all chromed out Peterbilt with a condo sleeper, stereo throughout, a/c - heat, cabinets, closets, refrigerator, bunk bed with normal mattresses. See what I mean, for one person, or even two, it's pretty nice. I had my spiritual library with me, all my rosary making supplies and my laptop. The laptop was a blessing, I got to see (we have cams) and talk to my family every single night, plus I was able to continue building the ministry on my-space. By the way in my my-space albums there is one album showing over a hundred plus pictures I took. Now is all this starting to make sense?
I'd like to try and share some of the most spectacular exciting times and places I have prayed my rosary. Not one day went by that I didn't. I was so blessed to have the opportunity to pray my rosary in 45 states and Canada, countless times. Being I spoke of Texas already, I will say that I spent a lot of time there, I have slept, ate and been in pretty much every single major city in Texas (Amarillo, Lubbock, Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Corpus Christi and so many others). And there was this one little town Anthony,Texas, where I spent a lot time also, I use to food shop in this town, it's on the western edge of Texas, at the first exit on Route 10 as you come from New Mexico. I was there so much that I got to kinda know the people at the supermarket. I made many friends along the way. In Lubbock I met this older gentlemen who as telling me all about his two friends who died in that collapsed bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Rt 35W. We chatted, he was very emotional about it, I told him I'd be praying for their families and him, he was grateful, it was very touching. I had gone over that same bridge one week prior to its collapse. When it happened, my family, my parents, and friends all contacted me, concerned knowing I was in that area of the country.
My whole experience was very exciting I hope to share all of it soon. You have not seen the stars in the sky till you get to see them under the dark sky of a desert; when I say you can see probably countless billions of stars, I am most likely under estimating it. I was in Utah, in the San Rafael Valley, I have slept in this desert terrain a couple times by choice. When you pray the rosary in a tranquil place where you can't see or hear anyone or anything except the planet and the stars, it is breathtaking. This place and one other like it was the most incredible place I have ever spent in prayer with God. I felt like Moses. The other place was in Arizona near the eastern edge of the Grand Canyon, where there is a power plant. Twice I delivered huge transistors out of Massachusetts from GE. The trip to that plant was through the Painted Desert. From that location you were looking up the canyon, I have never seen something so beautiful as that. Elevations exceeded 10,000 feet the whole ride up through Arizona. Look through my pictures and you will see God's hand. When you pray in this places it is so incredible how you feel and I tell you first hand it changes you; by drawing you ever so much closer to Him. Thanks for coming along with me on this journey, hope you enjoyed the ride.
Today's Challenge: Find that place where you feel like you are face to face with Almighty God. Embrace it, keep it close to you and absorb His love and His presence. We all live near places that are breathtaking.
Your brother in Christ Jesus &
His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
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