Sunday, June 24, 2018

His Name Is John


BEADS OF JOY 06-24-18
“His Name Is John”
©2018 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,


Today’s Gospel: 
Luke 1:57-66,80 (Nativity of John The Baptist)
“Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said, "Not so; he shall be called John." And they said to her, "None of your kindred is called by this name." And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all marveled. And immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea; and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him. And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel.”

Reflection:
Christians have long interpreted the life of John the Baptist as a preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ, and the circumstances of his birth, as recorded in the New Testament, are miraculous. John's pivotal place in the gospel is seen in the emphasis Luke gives to the announcement of his birth and the event itself, both set in prominent parallel to the same occurrences in the life of Jesus.

The sole biblical account of the birth of John the Baptist comes from the Gospel of Luke. John’s parents, Zechariah or Zachary (a Jewish priest) and Elizabeth, were without children and both were beyond the age of child-bearing. During Zechariah's rotation to serve in the Temple in Jerusalem, he was chosen by lot to offer incense at the Golden Altar in the Holy Place. The Archangel Gabriel appeared to him and announced that he and his wife would give birth to a child, and that they should name him John, a name which was unfamiliar in Zechariah and Elizabeth's families. Acts 4:6 refers to a "John" (or "Jonathan", a name combining "John" with "Nathan" such that the "n" at the end of "John" is also used as the first "n" in "Nathan") among the high priests who challenged the apostles' preaching after Pentecost, so the name was not unknown within the wider priestly family. However, because Zechariah did not believe the message of Gabriel, he was rendered speechless until the time of John's birth. At that time, his relatives wanted to name the child after his father, and Zechariah wrote, "His name is John", whereupon he recovered his ability to speak (Luke 1:5–25; 1:57–66). Following Zechariah's obedience to the command of God, he was given the gift of prophecy, and foretold the future ministry of Jesus this prophecy forming the text of the Benedictus canticle. 
Today’s Reflection was in taken from Wikipedia.org

The Naming of John the Baptist


Pondering these thoughts today: Let us Pray:
O God, Who hast honored this world by the birth of Saint John the Baptist, grant that Thy faithful people may rejoice in the way of eternal salvation, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. R. Amen.

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Sunday: We pray the Glorious Mysteries:

The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection (Faith) –Mark 16:1-8
2. The Ascension (Hope) –Luke 24:50-53
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Love) –Acts 2:1-4
4. Assumption of Mary (Grace of a Happy Death) –Rev 12:1-6
5. Coronation of Mary (Mary’s intercession) –Judith 15:9-10

Glory and Honor and Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ!


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Saturday, June 23, 2018

Seek First His Kingdom


BEADS OF JOY 06-23-18
“Seek First His Kingdom”
©2018 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

 My Friends,

The Chapel of the Holy Cross is a Roman Catholic chapel built into the buttes of Sedona, Arizona, and is run by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, as a part of St. John Vianney Parish in Sedona.

Today’s Gospel: Matthew 6:24-34 (God and Possessions)
“No one can serve two masters; for 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 God and mammon. "Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O men of little faith? Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day.”

Reflection:
Look at today’s gospel Jesus speaks of Mammon, what is Mammon? “Mammon” is referring to money, things of worldly value. You can as easily worship a fancy sports car as much as you can worship your financial self-worth that got you the sports car. The sports car becomes a representation of your success, creating pride and a sort of feel good feeling about it. It pretty much becomes your God and Master in so many ways. Because you will find yourself taking care of it, maintaining it, cleaning it, showing it off, sharing it with photos, boasting about it. You get the idea. This can be very dangerous for our soul and our eternal well-being. You do know that if you simply replaced the word “sports car” with anything or anyone, period (my bank account, my bad habit, a person I am in relationship with, my sailboat, my big impressive house, my pride of cause, etc., etc.); the thoughts are all the same on how that thing will become your Master. Jesus and Jesus alone must be the very first and only thought of focus when it comes to any kind of a Master in your life. Jesus said, “...understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father." John 10:38. So when we are thinking of Jesus we are automatically thinking of Almighty God. For they are one in the same.

So are you really serious about understanding and then living and then doing what is right before God? We all are, and that is fantastic, but know that we will fall and mess up and have to get back up. That's why we have to go to confession regularly, to keep our soul as clean and as ready for our Lord as it possibly can be. But if you are serious, then it is critical to begin immediately. You don't want to allow the strong-hold of satan to capture your heart, or allegiance towards anything that will draw you away from Jesus. What do you have an appetite for? No not necessarily food, though it could be. It is usually wealth, or possessions that you own, or maybe it's lust? So many things can easily capture our hearts and steal it away from our Lord. So now consider these series of questions, "Who died for your sin? Who's death defeated the very darkness of death, so that you can spend life everlasting in Heaven with Him and His Father for all eternity? Who gave you freedom from the bondage of this world, and its inevitable destruction? Who forgives you of all your wrong-doing, and sinfulness? Who is this one person that has done this for you?" There is only one word, one name, one Lord who is the only one who has done all these things, and His name is Jesus.

So I challenge you today, in a way that some of you just might not do; make your life, all things JESUS - 100%, 24/7/365. Become addicted (not in a bad way), but become addicted with the desire, the continual desire from within your soul to please Him and worship Him, love Him, share Him and always put Him before anything else in your life. Every thought must lead to Jesus. The reason why we do something, must lead us to Jesus. The reason why NOT, must also lead us to Jesus. Does that make sense? If we chose not to do something sinful or wrong or mean, it must be because of our love and our allegiance to Jesus, hence all things must lead to Jesus. This is actually much easier than it sounds. Keep Jesus in your life, on your mind, in your thoughts, at the end of the pen as you write at all times, you get the idea; without ever ceasing. This will, and I mean it, this will create an inner Joy that will blow your mind. You will have so much peace inside, real peace, a very Godly peace. You won't see yourself as anxious or worried as much anymore, and you will find yourself trusting Jesus a whole bunch more. It is truly a wonderful feeling this kind of inner Godly, Trusting, Loving Joy. 

The Gospel - Matthew 6:24-34


Pondering these thoughts today: Do we have two masters? Do you? Do I? Interesting concept, but how easily true this can be for anyone. An even further thought to that might be; Is it possible to have my allegiance split between two or more things, people, whatever in my life? Unfortunately, it can be. Our lives inevitably are controlled by the way we think, do we think of how successful in business or at work we will be; well then everything we do will help guide us and direct us to that goal. But rather if all we think about is Jesus and pleasing and honoring and not offending Him; well then, we live each day knowing that that is what we are striving for. Continuing that thought we know that loving and following Jesus will lead us to Heaven, which is truly our ultimate goal.

Don’t misunderstand -success is a good thing… when we respect the fact that our success is from God and in all reality,  it is all still God's. He has entrusted us with a huge responsibility to do the right thing with these gifts. Be a "Giver" not a "Taker" in this world. Many wealthy, successful, very blessed people unfortunately watch others (even family members) suffer and rot away and die, while they hoard, hold and embrace their stuff, their God. It’s very sad for them. So let us look upon the positive and givers, placing others before ourselves. 

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Saturday: We pray the Joyful Mysteries:

The Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation (Humility) – Luke 1:26-28
2. The Visitation (Love of Neighbor) – Luke 1:39-45
3. The Birth of Jesus (Poverty of Spirit) – Luke 2:1-20
4. The Presentation (Purity of Mind and Spirit) – Luke 2:22-38
5. Finding in The Temple (Obedience) –Luke 2:41-50

I simply love Saturday mornings, because Saturday like every other day of the week -begins with the Rosary.


MY FIRST BOOK.
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Rosary Man Jim's
Decades With Our Lady Podcast
https://rosarymanjim.podbean.com/

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Friday, June 22, 2018

Treasures In Heaven


BEADS OF JOY 06-22-18
“Treasures In Heaven”
©2018 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,


Today’s Gospel: Matthew 6:19-23 (Treasures In Heaven) 
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”

Reflection:
Do you store up treasure in Heaven, where those treasures for eternally last? Think about this for a moment: What in this world can you keep in place that will never rust, never be stolen and will never lose its value? I guess that was a rhetorical question, the answer is Nothing!! Nothing on the planet has eternal value, literally nothing. Well, except for our relationships. Spiritually reflecting that is so exciting. So, what this scripture is saying in a roundabout way is this: In order for us to have the freedom and ability to grow spiritually and closer to Jesus, we must not attach ourselves to anything here; because nothing here has the ability to continue to Heaven with us.

Now how realistic is it to attain Heavenly Treasures? And then how do you enjoy these treasures after you have died? Those thoughts confuse many worldly people, and they never seem to understand the Spiritual life. I’ll help you out with ways I store MY TREASURES in Heaven... Yes MINE... LOL. I will reveal to you my account information. Please be careful with this information, use it and share it if you wish. What do I store in Heaven, and yet still have here on earth to enjoy?

My Eternal Treasures in My Heavenly Account:
My Account# all-things-jesus-mary-rosary=eternity
(here is the line by line list of my wealth)

~My Family and Friends (I am truly blessed)
~My Love for the Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit)
~My Love for our Blessed Mother and the Rosary.
~Going To Mass (as often as I possibly can)
~Adoration (at minimal, once a month)
~Confession (at minimal, once a month)
~My Daily Prayer Life (my daily conversation w/God)
~My Bible Study (each day spent in God’s Word)

(This world has no power whatsoever to take any of these things from me, and in the end, even death, cannot take them away from, rather death only compliments these incredible treasures.) To me there is no treasure on earth that is even a mere fraction to the Treasures in Heaven.

Life Of Jesus Christ- Treasure In Heaven
(Matthew 6:19-21 and 7:1-27)



Pondering these thoughts today: How do you see your life? Where are you storing your treasures? Do you know “Spiritual Wealth” will lead us to eternal freedom while “Material Wealth” is corrupt, misleading and will steal our eternal life away? What is your reality? Our sight is easily blinded and blurred by immoral stupidity and a spirit that is blind. Other ways our vision gets distorted is most certainly by prejudice, pride and selfishness, and an ego that needs daily attention. 

If we have wealth, it is from God that we have been blessed; therefore, whatever God has blessed us with, we should bless others with. I’m not saying become poor, I respect and enjoy capitalism. I’m just saying, sharing our blessings is the right thing to do. It could be cash, or your time, or even your excessive stuff if you are decluttering your life, like I have. There are many ways to bless others.

My friends I end with this thought: Live your life for God’s truth alone, bury yourself in His Word; unite with His Mother –Praying The Rosary every single day and spend as much time as you can with Jesus in your heart, always!!!

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Friday: 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…


Rosary Man Jim’s Sorrowful Reflection: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-sorrowful-mysteries_11.html

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

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

Rosary Man Jim's
Decades With Our Lady Podcast
https://rosarymanjim.podbean.com/

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Thursday, June 21, 2018

Pray Then Like This


BEADS OF JOY 06-21-18
“Pray Then Like This”
©2018 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,


Today’s Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15 (The Lord's Prayer)
“And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Reflection:
What a wonderfully perfect spectacular topic today is: The Lord's Prayer. From His heart to our ears, so that in our prayers it goes, from our heart to His ears. Jesus gave us this most precious prayer, as an example of what we should be praying about and to whom. Think about it: Jesus, is the author of this prayer, its value goes without say. "Saint Augustine says that whenever we say the Our Father devoutly our venial sins are forgiven. The just man falls seven times a day, but in the Lord's Prayer he will find seven petitions which will both help him to avoid downfalls and will protect him from his spiritual enemies. Our Lord, knowing how weak and helpless we are, and how many difficulties we get into, made His Prayer short and easy to say, so that if we say it devoutly and often we can be sure that Almighty God will quickly come to our aid." The Secrets of the Rosary.

So what are the seven petitions of the Lord's Prayer? They are really so simple to remember by their own design. Check this out. The first three take us right to the Father (hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, and thy will be done). These are all for God's glory, strengthening us in faith, hope and charity... Now check out the last four, they are all about our own expectations, it's pretty cool (Give us, Forgive us, Lead us, and Deliver us) wow, this prayer is so perfectly laid out. Those are our needs we are asking God the Father to accomplish for us.

How devoutly, and slowly and thoughtfully do we consider the words of the "Lord's Prayer" each time and each day we pray it. This prayer alongside of the Hail Mary, gives us so much Joy and blessing when praying the Rosary. Consider the Lord's Prayer, as a prayer that is so perfect, that when we pray it; our hearts are full of love; and covered with contentment and Joy, that we need nothing else to make our life so complete. This is yet another very special part of the Joy that inside my heart. It is so complete, so perfect, that we get to speak directly to God, our Father, our Lord, as if He were standing right here as we pray the Lord's Prayer. Don't we all want that kind of Joy? How about a Joy that keeps you smiling while the world frowns? How about a Joy that comforts you when you are feeling down? This Joy goes without say, how long it will last; for if "forever" was the measure, it goes way beyond eternity fast. Prayer is the key today, and the Lord's Prayer is our perfect prayer.

Here's a wonderful quote I found:

“Let us strive to make the Lord’s Prayer our model and pattern in all our approaches to God. Let it suggest to us the sort of things which we should pray for and pray against. Let it teach us the relative place and proportion which we should give to each subject in our prayers. The more we ponder and examine the Lord’s Prayer, the more instructive and suggestive shall we find it to be.” ~ J.C. Ryle

Catechism of The Catholic Church -
The Lord's Prayer Father Explained
Click Here - Vatican Direct


Daily Reading for Thurs, June 21, 2018


Pondering these thoughts today:
-Are you allowing God to transform your life?
-Have you ever really ever reflected on the Lord's Prayer?
-Do you speak with Jesus every single day?
-Is your love for others fair, and merciful?
-Do you tell God what you want, or do you ask for His will?
(Pray the Lord's Prayer slowly and directly to God.)

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Thursday: We pray the Luminous Mysteries:

The Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism of Jesus (Matt 3:13-17)
2. Wedding Feast of Cana (John 2:1-12)
3. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:15)
4. The Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-13)
5. Institution of the Holy Eucharist (Matt 26:17-30)

Glory and Honor and Praise -Lord Jesus Christ!!


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

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

Rosary Man Jim's
Decades With Our Lady Podcast
https://rosarymanjim.podbean.com/

Written by at

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

When You Give Alms


BEADS OF JOY 06-20-18
“When You Give Alms”
©2018 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,


Today’s Gospel:
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 (Prayer, Fasting & Almsgiving)
“Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face -that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Reflection:

Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving.
Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. Three very important elements to our faith, three traditionally very important parts of our Spiritual Journey. Let us look at what each of these mean to our faith:

Prayer
This is the most wonderful special act of love, so many of us share every single day. In prayer we lift up our soul to God in love and praise and thanksgiving. Prayer builds up and empowers our faith, and faith comes from our hope, and our hope and desire for Him leads us to hunger, a hunger for Him and His word and the grace that leads us to God, which leads us to prayer. I came up with that through my prayers. Was anyone able to follow that? lol. Prayer is an essential part of who we are in God, and in our walk following after Jesus. We must be a praying people, our communication with God is vital to our eternal life and the transition that we will go through at our death. I encourage you to please pick a devotion that is of interest to you, and then try to pray and speak to God every single day. For me since 1983, it has been the rosary. Our conversation doesn't necessarily have to be written prayers only, we can speak plainly to Him also. We are in relationship to a person, Jesus. And in that relationship, we can freely talk and share and open our hearts to Him.

“Prayer is an aspiration of the heart, it is a simple glance directed to heaven, it is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trail as well as joy; finally, it is something great, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites me to Jesus.” ~St. Therese of Lisieux

“Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness.” ~St. John Chrysostom

“How often I failed in my duty to God, because I was not leaning on the strong pillar of prayer.” ~St. Teresa of Avila


Fasting
This isn't easy for everybody. But this has a lot of spiritual value added to the experience. Fasting is about curbing down our desires in our appetite that appetite could be for anything. This in turn creates a hunger for God, which is key to living our lives in Jesus. If many of our pleasures are fulfilled with food, we will have much less desire for God. I will share with you something I told Fr. Mullally a while ago (actually many many years ago), as to how and why I fast. To me fasting is a spiritual experience. I fast as an offering to all those who hunger and starve around the world. I do that so that I feel the hunger pangs. I want to feel their pain and suffering, so that I can offer the reality of the pain of starvation. No, I don't starve myself, but I have done very long fasts for that sole purpose. I have found that when you are "starving - very very hungry" you tend to draw so much closer to Jesus spiritually, that it can't really do justice trying to explain it in words. Don't do these things if your health requires medication and food intake. First consult your doctor and make sure it is safe. Please...

“Penance without fasting is useless and vain; by fasting [we] satisfy God.” ~St Basil

“Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. So if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close your ear to others, you open God’s ear to yourself.” ~St. Peter Chrysologus

“Fasting is a way of making room in your life for Jesus; replace your hunger pangs for food, with hunger pangs for Jesus, His Word and His Mother.” ~Jim Dacey Jr OFS


Almsgiving
This evolves from our prayers and our fasting. Charity in all forms, your time, your talents, your treasures, whatever you can do to help further the spreading of the word and love of God. Many of us belong to some church community, we should invest in them to help support them in whatever way you can. I tell you the following for the sole purpose to share ideas that maybe you can use; back in the past when I was in business, we as a family gave both our treasures and unlimited volunteer time. When we lived in town (Milford, PA) in the past, we still do, we pretty much were involved with everything at our parish (St. Patrick’s). I strongly encourage you to try this. If you are anything like me and my family, once you do that, you will always be very involved in whatever capacity you can help.

”Let us also love our neighbors as ourselves. Let us have charity and humility. Let us give alms because these cleanses our souls from the stains of sin. Men lose all the material things they leave behind them in this world, but they carry with them the reward of their charity and the alms they give. For these they will receive from the Lord the reward and recompense they deserve.” ~St. Francis of Assisi

“If you are attached to the things of this earth, you should give alms sufficient to enable you to punish your avarice by depriving yourself of all that is not absolutely necessary for life.” ~St. Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney, the Cure of Ars

“In the matter of piety, poverty serves us better than wealth, and work better than idleness, especially since wealth becomes an obstacle even for those who do not devote themselves to it. >>Yet, when we must put aside our wrath, quench our envy, soften our anger, offer our prayers, and show a disposition which is reasonable, mild, kindly, and loving, how could poverty stand in our way? For we accomplish these things not by spending money but by making the correct choice. >>Almsgiving above all else requires money, but even this shines with a brighter luster when the alms are given from our poverty. The widow who paid in the two mites was poorer than any human, but she outdid them all.” ~St. John Chrysostom

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
(The Needy; Prayer; Fasting)


Pondering these thoughts today: How attentive are you to the needs of others who are not in your immediate family? How attentive are you to your needs and your family’s needs (blood relatives)? How appropriate is the difference between these different levels of attentiveness? Do you watch fellow family members struggle and suffer or do you help them? How sad if you do nothing, I pity the soul so selfish that they are incapable of helping those closest to them. With that attitude of thought taken to the next level, would you also watch a close friend or family member go hunger (literally), when you yourself have plenty and in-fact you even throw food away every night after dinner? Insightful, but a hard teaching when it comes to what you would really do to give to another.

I understand suffering and hunger to levels I never thought to experience it. Since Chrissy’s illness began (and I have no regrets or complaint, just reflection), but from when her illness began till I had my two strokes, we have lived in poverty. Her illness was expensive, even with insurance. Doctors and hospitals drained us. The house that surrounds us is no indication of the hunger that is behind these walls. I embraced this, as one of my crosses in life. Enough said.

The True Test of Character
“Everything we have is God's gift to us. What we do with everything God has given us, is our gift to Him. Is your life all about getting and taking and keeping and hoarding or rather is it all about giving?” ~me

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Wednesday: We pray the Glorious Mysteries:

The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection (Faith) –Mark 16:1-8
2. The Ascension (Hope) –Luke 24:50-53
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Love) –Acts 2:1-4
4. Assumption of Our Lady (A Happy Death) –Rev 12:1-6
5. Coronation of Mary (Mary’s intercession) –Judith 15:9-10

Glory and Honor and Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ!



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

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

Rosary Man Jim's
Decades With Our Lady Podcast
https://rosarymanjim.podbean.com/

Written by at

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Pray For Those…


BEADS OF JOY 06-19-18
“Pray For Those…”
©2018 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,


Today’s Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48 (Love of Enemies)
“You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Reflection:
This topic and focus is difficult for me. I don’t really have enemies. When I say “don’t really” I am referring to the general enemies; people who want to harm my family, people who wish to take away my freedoms and those threatening me because of my faith. All those enemies are not on a one-on-one personal level with me in my face. An overall general thought of love and forgiveness towards them showers my heart with love when I think of them. I know I am not living in a bubble, if I am then it’s leaking water; because my world is not always full of sunshine and roses.

The real enemy I feel the most against these past few years is the cancer Chrissy died from, and the suffering she endured throughout those six years. They are the enemies. So, to be completely honest, when I look at them and remember what cancer and suffering did to my beautiful wife and our family, I hate them. I must embrace both of them. I have no trouble embracing my own suffering and even my own death; I can deal with that, and embrace it, but watching those I love, suffer, is extremely difficult. But having said all that and here I am hine sight nineteen months later, I will embrace the horror of cancer and suffering.

I must admit, this is very difficult. But, as the Lord tells us, let us pray for this enemy. This enemy has brought many tears to me and my family, we don’t fully understand all these things. On a positive note, it has brought us closer to one another and to our faith, and we are healing. So maybe, just maybe there is a glimmer of light here.

Jesus Christ - Love your enemies
(from the movie: The Passion of Christ)


Pondering these thoughts today: Sometimes our enemies aren’t always people, but illnesses that put us to the test of our faith. That is exactly sometimes what an enemy would do, test the purity of your faith and love and cut you to the core. I embrace this disease and all that comes with it, with a willing heart to find a way to see the positive in it. God knows my heart and He knows what this has already done to my Chrissy and our family. I will forge forward with all my stroke side-effects and use that suffering; to help me grow spiritually and closer to my Lord’s suffering.

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…



Rosary Man Jim’s Sorrowful Reflection: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-sorrowful-mysteries_11.html

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

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

Rosary Man Jim's
Decades With Our Lady Podcast
https://rosarymanjim.podbean.com/

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Monday, June 18, 2018

Give To Him Who Begs


BEADS OF JOY 06-18-18
“Give To Him Who Begs”
©2018 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

 My Friends,


Today’s Gospel: 
Matthew 5:38-42 (Teachings About Revenge)
“You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.”


Reflection:
How do you repay, respond or act when insults are hurled at you? What if someone took advantage of you? Are you, kind? Do you have the courage to return evil with good? Do you stop the evil -right then and there or do you continue it with revenge and hurtful, hateful words or actions back at the other person? If we are to follow after Jesus and if we are to be like Jesus; then for many -this aspect of our faith might be very difficult and challenging. In all of Jesus’ teaching it is very clear that we must never show retaliation; rather we must respond with mercy, love and kindness. Evil cannot be defeated by fueling it with more evil, rather it must be distinguished with love and kindness. Just like darkness can easily be defeated with light, even the smallest amount of light can easily be seen in the darkest of places. So, must we return evil with good.

Only at the Cross before Jesus will we be able to free ourselves from the selfishness and empty conceit of hatred and resentment. This takes great courage to be like Jesus, don’t misunderstand this and see this as weakness. Weakness gives in and caves in when we hurl back at others. It takes great courage and great love for someone to not, respond in such a way.

Look at Jesus: How did He respond? Even on the Cross, He suffered insults, abuse and deep-rooted hatred; yet He responded with love, by asking God to forgive them. It is through His blood, that we also will be able to merciful and loving; even to those who hate us and insult us. My friends we are not like those of this world in so many ways. We don’t attach ourselves to the things of this world; we don’t get all involved with the selfishness of pride that goes with titles and values based on worldly accomplishments and now added to that we learn by Jesus’ example, to detach ourselves from the insults and hatred of the world that are directed towards us. This won’t be easy, Jesus never said it would be.

Matthew 5:38-48
Jesus taught them in the temple.

Pondering these thoughts today: Consider the Prayer of Anselm. “O merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray, with the graces of your Holy Spirit; with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. Teach us to love those who hate us; to pray for those who despitefully use us; that we may be the children of your love, our Father, who makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. In adversity grant us grace to be patient; in prosperity keep us humble; may we guard the door of our lips; may we lightly esteem the pleasures of this world, and thirst after heavenly things; through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Our faith is distinct, most significantly in how we treat others; even and most especially, to those who treat us with real hated. 

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Monday: We pray the Joyful Mysteries:

The Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation (Humility) – Luke 1:26-28
2. The Visitation (Love of Neighbor) – Luke 1:39-45
3. The Birth of Jesus (Poverty of Spirit) – Luke 2:1-20
4. The Presentation (Purity of Mind and Spirit) – Luke 2:22-38
5. Finding in The Temple (Obedience) –Luke 2:41-50

I simply love Monday mornings, because every morning begins with the Rosary.


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

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

Rosary Man Jim's
Decades With Our Lady Podcast
https://rosarymanjim.podbean.com/

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