Monday, March 27, 2006

The Fifth Luminous Mystery- The Institution of the Eucharist


The night before Jesus was going to be killed, he instituted and left us the most precious gift of Himself in the Holy Eucharist. “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” Jesus took bread, blessed it and said: "Take and eat, this is My Body." Taking the wine he said: "This cup is the new covenant in my Blood, shed for you." At that Eucharistic meal, Jesus celebrated the first Mass. At every Mass the sacrifice of Calvary is made present. At the Last Supper Jesus instituted the sacrament of Holy Orders to perpetuate this sacrifice. "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him."

Jesus sat down for dinner with His disciples, he took the bread, blessed it and broke it them saying, “Take this and eat it, it is my Body.” He took the cup filled with wine, blessed it and said,”This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many, take it and drink it.”


The Eucharist is a sacrifice as it is an offering and a sacrament because it is something we receive. In the Mass we offer ourselves to God, and God gives himself to us.


Our Father

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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and life.No comes to the Father, except through Me."
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen

Jesus said, "...Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father."
Hail Mary…

Jesus said, "And whatever you ask in My name, I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
Hail Mary…

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you."
Hail Mary…

Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower."
Hail Mary…

Jesus said, "If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love; just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in His love. "
Hail Mary…

Jesus said, "This I command you, love one another."
Hail Mary…

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples and said, "Take and eat, this is My body.
Hail Mary…

Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, "Drink from it all of you."
Hail Mary…

"For this is My blood of the covenant, which is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins."
Hail Mary…

Glory Be To The Father

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.

Fatima Prayer

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Your Mercy.
Amen.

Saturday, March 25, 2006

The Feast Of The Annunciation Of Our Lord


The time arrived for Jesus to come down from heaven and save us from our sin. God sent his glorious Archangel Gabriel to Mary's little house in the town of Nazareth and found her praying.

"Hail Mary, full of grace!" said the angel. "The Lord is with you, and you are blessed among women." Mary was startled and surprised to hear the angel's words of praise.


"Do not be afraid, Mary," said Gabriel. He told her that she was to be the mother of Jesus, our Savior. Mary was confused but understood what a great honor God was giving her. And she said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord!" She only wanted to serve God and was willing to do as He commanded.

At that very moment, through the power of the Holy Spirit, she became the Mother of God. Nine months later, Jesus was born.

Mary knew that as the mother of Jesus, along with great joy she would also have many sorrows. She knew she would have to suffer when her Son suffered. Yet with all her heart, she said, "Be it done to me according to your word."

We celebrate this most glorious feast on March 25th.

This feast celebrates Mary's response to God, and the awesome moment of the Incarnation. Take some time today to think about how greatly our lives have been changed because Mary said "yes" to God.