San Vicente Ferrer Prayer Warriors

06/12/2021

December 6, 2021

Monday of the Second Week of Advent

Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement, and death will be part of your journey, but the Kingdom of God will conquer all these horrors. No evil can resist grace forever. - Brennan Manning

1st Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10

The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense, he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing. Streams will burst forth in the desert and rivers in the steppe. The burning sands will become pools, and the thirsty ground, springs of water; the abode where jackals lurk will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus. A highway will be there, called the holy way; no one unclean may pass over it, nor fools go astray on it. No lion will be there, nor beast of prey go up to be met upon it. It is for those with a journey to make, and on it, the redeemed will walk. Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.

The Word of the Lord.

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Responsorial Psalm 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14

R. (Isaiah 35:4f) Our God will come to save us!

I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD –for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.

R. Our God will come to save us!

Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.

R. Our God will come to save us!

The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.

R. Our God will come to save us!

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We need Christ's healing, which incapacitates us from following Him. We are earnestly urging to live with Him and follow His commands, but what is crippling in us in following Jesus?

Gospel Acclamation:

Behold the king will come, the Lord of the earth, and he himself will lift the yoke of our captivity.

Gospel Reading: Luke 5:17-26

One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing. And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence. But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”– he said to the one who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God,
and, struck with awe, they said, “we have seen incredible things today.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

05/12/2021

05/12/2021

Prayer for Family Healing.

Dear God, please forgive and heal my family from all the pain and disputes we had over the years. Please make us humbled and loving to one another. Thank you for filling our hearts with empathy, love and understanding. Thank you for transforming our relationship through Your love. May their relationship be renewed and healed through this experience.

I pray that our family will be filled with happiness, beautiful memories, and peace.

Thank you Lord. Thank you for never leaving our side through this time. It is through Your love that our hearts will heal.

Amen

05/12/2021

***THE REAL PRESENCE OF THE LORD IN THE EUCHARIST***

In the Holy Eucharist Our Lord is present whole and entire, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.

WHEN DID CHRIST GIVE HIS PRIESTS THE POWER TO CHANGE BREAD AND WINE INTO HIS BODY AND BLOOD?

*Christ gave his priests the power to change bread and wine into His body and blood when He made the Apostles priests at the Last Supper by saying to them. " DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME" (LK 22:19)

Thus He commanded them and their successors to renew till the end of time what he had just performed. This change of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ continues to be made in the Church by Jesus Christ, through his priests.

HOW DO PRIESTS EXERCISE THEIR POWER TO CHANGE BREAD AND WINE INTO THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST?

*Priests exercise their power to change bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ by repeating at the consecration of the Mass the words of "Christ: THIS IS MY BODY... THIS IS MY BLOOD..." (Mt 26:26)

Over the bread are pronounced the words, HOC EST ENIM CORPUS MEUM, " For this is my Body."
Over the wine are pronounced the words, HIC EST ENIM CALIX SANGUINIS MEI, " For this is the chalice of My Blood."

1. At Mass, at the words of consecration, TRANSUBSTANTIATION takes place; that is, the entire substance of the bread and wine is changed into Our Lord's Body and Blood.

After the words of consecration, there is no longer any bread or wine on the altar, for they have been changed into Christ's Body and Blood. If it be asked how transubstantiation can possibly be effected, we reply, " by the almighty power of God."

2. The APPEARANCES of bread and wine remain. The consecrated Host continues to look like bread, tastes and feels like bread; but it is not bread, for the entire substance of bread is changed into Christ's Body.

The same thing is true of the consecrated chalice, which continues to look, smell,and taste like wine, but there is no more wine, only Christ's Blood.

IF JESUS CHRIST WHOLE AND ENTIRE BOTH UNDER THE APPEARANCES OF BREAD, AND UNDER APPEARANCES OF WINE?

Jesus Christ is whole and entire both under the appearances of bread and under appearances of wine.

1. In the Holy Eucharist, Christ is present, Wholly, BODY, BLOOD, SOUL, AND DIVINITY.

A little child preparing for her first Holy Communion was asked the difference between a crucifix and the Blessed Sacrament. " Why", the innocent child answered, " the crucifix looks like Our Lord, but it is not He. The Blessed Sacrament does not look like Our Lord, but it is He Himself!"

2. Christ is WHOLE and ENTIRE under the appearances of bread or wine. As Christ's Body is a living body, and a living body has blood, so Christ's Blood is there wherever His Body is.

Where Christ's living Body and Blood are, there also must be His soul. For the body and blood cannot live without the soul. And where Christ's Soul is, there also is His Divinity, which cannot be separated from his humanity.

3. Christ is whole and entire in each part of the Host and in each drop in the chalice. When the Host is broken, the Body of Christ is not broken, but He exists whole and entire in each fragment.
In a similar way, even when we break a mirror into many pieces, each piece reflects our face.

4. Christ's Body and Blood are present in the consecrated species as long as the appearances of bread and wine remain.

When, therefore, we receive Holy Communiin, we bear within us, as long as the appearances of bread remain, the living Christ, Son of God.

WHY DOES CHRIST GIVE US HIS OWN BODY AND BLOOD IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST?

Christ gives us His own body and blood in the Holy Eucharist.

1. To be offered as a sacrifice commemorating and renewing the sacrifice of the cross.
" For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the cup, you PROCLAIM THE DEATH OF THE LORD until He comes. (1 Cor. 11:26). In the Mass, Jesus offers Himself as a Victim to His heavenly Father.

2. To be received in Holy Communion...I am the bread of life... He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood, abides in me, and I in him... He who eats me, he also shall live because of me." (Jn 6: 48, 56, 58). The Holy Eucharist is food to nourish the soul. By this food we are united to Christ, Who nourishes us with His divine life: sanctifying grace and all virtues increase in our soul; our evil inclanations are lessened. The Holy Eucharist is a pledge of everlasting life. " If any man eat of this Bread, he shall live forever" (Jn 6:51). Holy Commhnion needs the Mass to supply the consecrated species: for this reason Mass and Communion are inseparable.

3. To remain ever on our altars as a proof of His love, and to be worshipped by us.

"Remain with us, Lord, for with Thee is the fountain of life. (Ps. 35:10). " Come to Me, all you who labor, and are burdened, and I will give you rest." (Mt 11: 28). We say we love Jesus: do we prove our love? When we have a dear friend, we are ever eager to be in his presence; do we show Jesus the same loving tenderness? Or are we so forgetful of Him that we go to see Him only once a week?

SINCE CHRIST'S REAL PRESENCE IS IN THE EUCHARIST, WHAT HONOR ARE WE BOUND TO RENDER IT?
* We are bound to render the Holy Eucharist the same adoration and honor due God Himself.

1. It is a most wonderful privilege to have Christ actually present every moment of the day and night.

When the Blessed Sacrament is in the tabernacle, it is covered with a curtain and veil, and a sanctuary lamp is kept burning before it. When we enter or leave the Church, we should genuflect on the right knee towards the tabernacle, as a sign of ADORATION.

2. This is why the tabernacle is the most precious part of the church. Special care should be taken to keep the altar linen clean; in the most parishes there are altar societies of women who devote part of their time to the care of the altar linen, vestments, etc.

The Holy Father gives us good example. The Chapel of the Blessed Sacraments in the Basilica of St Peter's is precious, with its unique tabernacle. Dozens of vigils lights burn day and night before Our Lord, as prayers for His people.

3. We can show Jesus our love and gratitude by every day paying Him a visit in the Blessed Sacrament. by attending Benediction, by hearing Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion, by spending an hour of adoration When the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, and by other devotions.

When we pass by a church where the Blessed Sacraments is reserved, we should bow our heads as a sign of respect, and say a short aspiration in honor of Our Lord: men should raise their hats. If we are not ill-bred enough to pass by a friend without a word or gesture of greeting, shall we be thus ill-bred towards OUR LORD!

05/12/2021

December 4, 2021

Saturday of the First Week of Advent

We face various difficulties in our lives. We always don't understand why, but the important thing to remember, that God is in charge. May we not understand but I surely said that when "God is in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end.”- Henry Ford


1st Reading: Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26

Thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem, no more will you weep; He will be gracious to you when you cry out, as soon as he hears he will answer you. The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst. No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes, you shall see your Teacher, while from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: “This is the way; walk in it,” when you would turn to the right or to the left. He will give rain for the seed that you sow in the ground, and the wheat that the soil produces will be rich and abundant. On that day your flock will be given pasture and the lamb will graze in spacious meadows; the oxen and the asses that till the ground will eat silage tossed to them with shovel and pitchfork. Upon every high mountain and lofty hill, there will be streams of running water. On the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall, the light of the moon will be like that of the sun and the light of the sun will be seven times greater like the light of seven days. On the day the LORD binds up the wounds of his people, he will heal the bruises left by his blows.

The Word of the Lord.

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Responsorial Psalm 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R. (see Isaiah 30:18d) Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.

Praise the LORD, for he is good;
sing praise to our God, for he is gracious;
it is fitting to praise him.
The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem;
the dispersed of Israel he gathers.

R. Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.

He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He tells the number of the stars;
he calls each by name.

R. Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.

Great is our LORD and mighty in power:
to his wisdom, there is no limit.
The LORD sustains the lowly;
the wicked he casts to the ground.

R. Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.

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Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, HIS HEART WAS MOVED WITH PITY FOR THEM because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9: 35-36) "It takes some of us a lifetime to learn that Christ, our Good Shepherd, knows exactly what He is doing with us." Let us trust in God's providence because He will provide us in the manner that best suits us every step of the way.

Gospel Acclamation: Isaiah 33:22

The LORD is our Judge, our Lawgiver, our King; He it is who will save us.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Then he summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost, you are to give.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

03/12/2021

December 3, 2021 - Friday

Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest

It will be the end of those who oppress others and show contempt for God. Every sinner will be destroyed. God will destroy those who slander others, those who prevent the punishment of criminals, and those who tell lies to keep honest men from getting justice. (Isaiah 29:20-21)

For God will never tolerate injustice and God's response is straightforward: "Not as long as we would think." The Bible makes a candid promise that: [God] has set a day when he will judge the world” (Acts 17:31). God is fair and determined about this ethical standard and it will come sooner than we think when the devil will be held accountable for all the harm he has brought to mankind.

1st Reading: Isaiah 29:17-24

Thus says the Lord GOD: But a very little while and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard, and the orchard be regarded as a forest! On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; and out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. For the tyrant will be no more and the arrogant will have gone; all who are alert to do evil will be cut off, those whose mere word condemns a man, who ensnare his defender at the gate, and leave the just man with an empty claim. Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of the house of Jacob, who redeemed Abraham: Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of, nor shall his face grow pale. When his children see the work of my hands in his midst, they shall keep my name holy; they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob, and be in awe of the God of Israel. Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding, and those who find fault shall receive instruction.

The Word of the Lord.

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Responsorial Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14

R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

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Let not our blessings become history. But just like the two blind men, may we do likewise to acknowledge, treasure, and magnify Christ, as the source of blessings we enjoy in life.

Gospel Acclamation

Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:27-31

As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread the word of him through all that land.

The Gospel of the Lord.