Tuesday, April 10, 2018

You Must Be Born Anew


BEADS OF JOY 04-10-18
“You Must Be Born Anew”
©2018 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,

This is the church (St. Patrick's - Richmondtown, Staten Island) I was
Born-Again in. In 1983. This is where it all began for me..

Today’s Gospel: John 3:7-15 (You Must Be Born Anew)
“Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born anew.' The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so, it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus said to him, "How can this be?" Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe; how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."

Reflection:
It’s interesting how this conversation with Nicodemus continues, the actually scriptures that covers this conversation is John 3:1-21, so tomorrow’s gospel will also be a further reflection upon all these things. Typically, you will find this when researching “born-again” you will be led to that complete scripture reading. The Catholic life is a human life in the Spirit. We can love our spouse and our children and even our neighbors and friends; in-fact, our love for them deepens tremendously when we are born anew in the Spirit. Think of it this way, Jesus was born once through Mary, then He was crucified. After three days He was raised again (born-again) from the dead. He was the same person he was before He died, but His earthly body died; after He died, He was born again, anew, with a Heavenly body. We are born again in our Spirit, our old self dies, and our NEW self is alive; and it is one that loves Jesus is born again.

If you have ever been to a Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group it would be easier to understand. My Story, my spiritual journey, came to life when I gave my heart fully to Jesus and I was born again in 1983; for me it all started at a Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. Please understand, you don’t have to go to such a gathering to experience being born-again. It’s just an option within our faith. I personally became very addicted to the experience for over a decade; it was the inner spiritual feeling of so much love overflowing that I couldn’t get enough of it. This is why I personally went to 3 different groups every week, then eventually Chrissy joined me and even our first 2 kids as infants and toddlers joined us.

Groups I was part of from 1983 to the early to mid-1990’s:
-St Patrick’s CC Prayer Group (Richmondtown)
-Our Mother of Consolation CC Prayer Group (Prince’s Bay)
-Our Lady’s Pathways (Westerleigh - Alba House)

St. Pope John Paul II says, “Thanks to the Charismatic Movement, a multitude of Christians, men and women, young people and adults, have rediscovered Pentecost as a living reality in their daily lives. I hope that the spirituality of Pentecost will spread in the church as a renewed incentive to prayer, holiness, communion and proclamation.”

Jesus Teaches of Being Born Again


Pondering these thoughts today: Do we thirst for this new life that Jesus tells us we can have though the transforming power of the Holy Spirit? Do you know, once you are born again, you too will have this boldness and confidence to openly share your faith. Never be ashamed of the Cross, for it is through the Cross of Jesus that we have been saved and that our life can be celebrated with Him. I invite you to seek out a Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group in your area. If your life is not already changed by loving Jesus, that experience will definitely help spark tremendous excitement and joy.

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

Your brother in Christ Jesus 
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

Today is Tuesday: We pray the Sorrowful Mysteries:

The Sorrowful Mysteries

1. Agony on the Garden (Sorrow for sin) –Matt 26:36-46
2. Scourging at the Pillar (Purity) –Mark 15:1-16
3. Crowning with Thorns (Moral Courage) –Matt 27:27-31
4. Carrying of the Cross (Patience) –Mark 15:20-22
5. The Crucifixion (Perseverance) –Luke 23:33-46

Thank you Lord for loving us so much…


MY FIRST BOOK.
(Mary’s Way of The Cross - .99¢)

MY SECOND BOOK.
(Praying The Complete Rosary - .99¢)

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