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How to Have Thanksgiving in the Midst of Adversity
Grief & The Holidays – Compassionate Ideas To Help
Ways to Prepare for Advent
Praying for our Beloved Dead
“It is the will of Him Who sent Me that I should lose nothing of what He has given Me.” —John 6:39
The Church is “the pillar and bulwark of truth” (1 Tm 3:15). Jesus Himself founded the Church to be His Body (e.g. Eph 1:22-23), and He gave her the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Mt 16:19). Therefore, the universal Church will always faithfully proclaim the Lord’s will and always rightly interpret His Word.
For two thousand years, the Church throughout the world has authoritatively taught that we should pray for our brothers and sisters in purgatory so that they will be purified as soon as possible and enter heaven. The Church teaches: “From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1032). “Our prayer for them is capable not only of helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective” (Catechism, 958).
How Satan Uses Fear Against Us
“I say to you who are My friends: Do not be afraid.” —Luke 12:4
God’s grace continues to be lavishly poured out on us to free us to love Him with all our hearts. In that love, we have the power to transform the world. However, Satan tries to block our reception of God’s grace and love. He does this by tempting us to sin, and he manipulates us into sinning in many ways, especially through fear. Therefore, the Lord commands 365 times in the Bible: “Do not be afraid” (see Lk 12:4).
Continue readingSpiritual Direction: (Part 6) Does the Heart Say “Yes”?
Brigid Ayer, host of All About The Grace podcast, continues the 6 part series on Spiritual Direction which delves into the question, “What Does God Want?” This episode is Spiritual Directon: Part 6 Does the Heart Say “Yes”. It focuses on the heart in the discernment process of determining what God wants. If the heart says “No”, it’s best to begin or review the other measures in this series to determine what God wants. For more content, go to www.allaboutthegrace.com
https://allaboutthegrace.podbean.com/e/spiritual-direction-part-6-does-the-heart-say-yes
Who Do You Worship?
Spiritual Direction (Part 5) What Confirms It?
In this week’s episode of All About The Grace podcast with Brigid Ayer, the series on Spiritual Direction continues.
Spiritual Direction (Part 5) What Confirms it? Brigid discusses several ways to test or confirm if the decision we are considering is from God or not. Some of the tests include, a supernational sign, a word from a close friend, a person involved or affected by the decision speaks up, or a natural or supernatual circumstance confirms the decision.
To follow or subscribe to the All About The Grace podcast CLICK HERE
To follow or subscribe to Brigid’s All About The Grace YouTube channel CLICK HERE
Why Doesn’t Jesus Heal Everyone? Or Does He?
In the Gospel passage, LUKE 18:35-43, we see Jesus’ mercy toward the blind man as a hallmark of his ministry. But does God heal everyone? And if not why? This is a question I have asked, and many others who read this blog, watch my YouTube Channel and listen to my podcast have asked me over the past 10 years, and many have asked, throughout time. If you are struggling with this question, this reflection may give you an insight into God’s plan.
Below is the story of Jesus healing the blind man.
Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar Near Jericho (LUKE 18:35-43)
As he [Jesus} approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When the blind man heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” Then he shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who were in front sternly ordered the blind man to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and ordered the blind man to be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Lord, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.” Immediately the blind man regained his sight and followed Jesus, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.
Jesus comes as healer, savior, inaugurator of the kingdom. He is the embodiment of hope. Jesus wanted to connect human suffering to the very source of life and health. The energy of God pours through Jesus to the needy.
Now back to the question, why doesn’t Jesus simply cure everyone, then? The answer is obviously wrapped up in the mystery of God’s will, but the important point is this: Jesus is healer in many senses, but ultimately in the sense that he heals us from sin and death, not only physical maladies. What appears historically in Jesus is an eschatological anticipation, a hint and foreshadowing of what is coming in God’s time and in God’s way.
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