A book of prayers to the Holy Face of Jesus

“Were you born in a barn?”  I remember hearing that when I left the front door open or when I didn’t wash properly before I sat at table.  Yet, the fact is the most influential man to ever walk the planet came from pretty humble beginnings, born in a barn.  We should prepare properly, from humble beginnings, to tidy up our house and wash properly so that when we come to table with our maker, we are ready! 

Grace is the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to “earn it.”  It is given not because of who we are or what we have done but because of who He is, in his fullness, and purity of love.  It is most needed and best understood in the midst of sin, suffering, and brokenness. We live in a world of earning, deserving, and merit, and these result in judgment.Judgment kills! Why is it we tend to compare our lives to others, this with that, and we size up or down those things or those parties, according to our own desires or our own status! Both leave us either pompous or leave us wanting and neither are healthy for our souls! That is why everyone wants and needs grace.  It makes us alive by mercy, not merit.  It is Jesus Christ in redeeming action.  Grace is God’s way of allowing us to make up for past mistakes and start over with a clean slate. A Fresh start and a renewed bond because of God’s wills it and for no other reason. No judgment, no expectation. Just serious and sincere love! By the abundant grace of God, I am what I and I are so much better because of it! If the significance of just how impactful God’s Grace can be for you still don't quite resonate yet, I would encourage you to meditate on this…Hail Mary, full of grace…

“Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”  The dictionary definition of this quote is “to act badly towards the person who is helping or has helped you.”  This sure applies to abusing precious resources and relationships. If we make conscious decisions to preserve and protect our natural resources and our relationships, life gets better for everyone.  This applies to our spiritual food, as well.  When we cut off or ignore our spiritual lifeline, prayer and meditation, we let go of the only thing to carry us from this world to the next…God’s hand!  And that’s a hand we will all need some day!

 Forgiveness Begins At The Foot Of The Cross. Forgive Others. Forgive Yourself. Be Forgiven. Look Up!The Power To Forgive. We look at forgiveness as a concession, as a compromise. How can there be Power in compromise, and in mercy and forgiveness? When we by our own power, grant mercy and forgiveness to another, then we are forgiven — “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” That Power, that ability to forgive, helps wipe our own slate clean, and effectively purifies the soul. Some of us have been seriously wronged.   Seriously harmed or violated by another!  Some have even done great harm to others or even to ourselves!  They carry the heavy burden of anger or of guilt. By Forgiving others and even ourselves through sincere confession, we “unload” these burdens, so we can spread our wings and free the spirit! The evil one’s greatest weapons are fear, anger, and guilt.  Forgiveness wipes out all of these weapons. That is Real Power!  The Power to Forgive.  That is why we forgive others.  That is why we confess our own sins. We have to “exact” that power, by forgiving others, by asking God’s forgiveness, and yes, even by forgiving ourselves. Some of us feel they have been forgiven by God, but can’t seem to forgive themselves!  My Friend, I am here to tell you that is a form of pride and arrogance.  Think about it!  Your sin is “never” greater than God’s mercy!  You need to “Release Yourself” from your own guilt and have the Power to fully accept God’s mercy.  This is why a sincere and contrite confession is so important! We “regain” God’s good Grace, and we “recover” the Power to forgive others!  And the Evil One no longer Binds us!  The “Power” to Forgive! So we need to follow the example of Christ!  Christ Could have declared himself King, and no nation or army could contest him!  He had the power to make minions of us all! Yet, out of love for the father and for humanity, he gave all, and then at his weakest moment, and in sheer agony, he forgave his enemy! “Father forgive them.  They know not what they do!”  WOW! It takes Real Strength to do that!  The Power To Forgive…to Forgive even your enemy! So forgiving those who wronged us and yes shedding the ball and chain of guilt by forgiving yourself, is needed and necessary!  Christ’s example should make that process easier!  In fact pray for the mercy of others and save our own souls in the process as the Blessed Mother did in Fatima:  “Oh. My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell! Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy!” And remember the story of the adulterous woman in John 8:7-11:“But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?’  She said, ‘No one, Lord.’   And Jesus said, ‘I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.'”​

 Be Mindful Of Your Words And Choices, Particularly When Eternity Is Involved!  The book “Crucial Conversations” describes a “crucial conversation” as “a discussion between two or more parties where: (1) stakes are high; (2) opinions vary; (3) emotions run strong;” and (4) the outcome greatly impacts their lives.  Three ways of handling crucial conversations are: a) avoid them, b) face them and handle them poorly; or c) face them and handle them well. The book further talks about situations where an ultimatum is given like the use of “either/or” in the discussion calling it “a Sucker’s Choice.” Well I can think of no other more “critical conversation” than the God conversation and the thoughts of the afterlife where: 1) stakes are high; (2) opinions vary; (3) emotions run strong; and (4) the outcome greatly impacts our lives.  And when we have this God conversation and discussion of the afterlife there are three ways of handling these crucial conversations:  a) avoid them, b) face them and handle them poorly; or c) face them and handle them well. Now be careful who you are talking to and don’t make a Sucker’s Choice.  Rather, go right to the source and have the crucial conversation with God and when you do, don’t be asking Him to prove himself with an “either/or” consequence. Remember, if you avoid the conversation or you handle it poorly and you are wrong, you could be eternally wrong!   Talk about a High Stakes outcome!!!!!​