Triumph of the Immaculate Heart

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You who radiate peace, dear Mary,

help us to break this obsession with war

and vanquish the culture of death.

Too many people have died, Blessed Mother,

and no amount of official explanations

and strategic manipulations

can possible justify such suffering.

At this very moment, all over the planet,

dozens of battles are raging,

like bursts of flame exploding

from different zones of a forest on fire.

Whether they take the form of the 

massive bloodshed of entire communities

or single acts of domestic violence,

your Mother-Heart will not tolerate such hatred.

You break yourself open

and offer us the only true antidote

to the poison of global strife:

universal love.

The Triumph of the Immaculate Heart

from

Mother of God

Similar to Fire

by

Mirabai Starr

Blessed

I see you in a thousand paintings

Mary, so tenderly depicted

Yet none of them can begin to show you

As my soul sees you.

All I know is that the world's chaos

Has suddenly dissolved, like a dream

And your heaven of unspeakable sweetness

Opens forever in my spirit 

                 - Novalis

blessings

The Peace of Lourdes

The Peace of Lourdes
http://hergracedevata.blogspot.com

This gorgeous piece is a sacred altar to the Peace of Lourdes.

The most powerful experience at the Grotto of Massabielle

at Lourdes in France is one of absolute peace.

Peace beyond words and understanding.

I personally witnessed and became immersed in the peace

and this peace never leaves.  Even when the emotions

and the mind lose focus, the peace sits underneath,

eternally watching and loving, waiting for the storm to

pass and for the mind to become aware of Its Presence again.

When one is at Lourdes and especially during the processions,

you are struck by the absolute acceptance of those who come there

looking for healing, miracles and peace.

And this acceptance is not a passive giving-up but an active

choice of surrender to a Greater Power and

an active act of forgiveness of the self, of the world,

and of God.

The peace of accepting that one is held in the embrace

of loving powerful hands even when nothing makes sense.

The peace of accepting that Love has a plan that will bring you

peace because your own plans has not been able to do.

And the greatest acceptance that our belief systems are only

that : belief systems.  And often and mostly, we have to be

willing to change our minds and to let go of our way thinking

and believing and our need to feel secure and allow

Life to show us a different and better way of being with ourselves

and with life.

The peace of knowing that the Divine is not defined and created

by concepts and words and dogma, but our relationship

with the Divine is crafted from our pain and joy;  from our

personal experiences and our direct knowledge and insights

and that it is a highly personal, individual and unique relationship

which does not depend on the interpretation of it by others.

The peace of knowing that you can never be lost.  That the Hand

of Love has you tightly in her grip.

A Love Letter to St Francis

A Love Letter to Francis from Chiara

Dear Francis,

Words are never large enough or small enough to write you but I try again. buona sera, good evening. I always think about you at this time of sunset. It is during this hour that I put aside everything about the day which is not important and hold to my heart our inner path, the love we know. It is a good practice. I can safely say that my small light in the garden of my heart has become a diamond. I feel quite strong and God shines very bright. In a few hours in the dark of night, I will be sinking inside to our Lord in gratitude. Then I go to sleep. Thank you, Francis, for leading me on this path of chasing God, instead of worldly things. Thank you for showing me it is not really a chase at all, but rather a great finding, finding God always very close at hand, as close as my heart.

Francis, we share the true relationship. Many couples live together under one roof and never share what we know together. Sure I miss sometimes not having more time with you in the small moments of life. Then I think of most couples living with one another day after day, but so separate from each other in their thoughts and feelings. Francis, we have fallen in love again and again landing in the great heart, the garden that extends forever. The eternity we know is the true poetry of life. The canticle you share is music for the heart inside every heart.

And you, Francis, how are you? You are a big fire on the mountaintop that many come to see. I wonder sometimes if they really know who they are visiting? I am sorry the Church confuses people saying you are great because you have suffered greatly. You and I both know human suffering gives nothing but perhaps a small push further into our heart, to rest on the lap of God. The empty times in life are small gifts we enjoy to be alone with the quiet, with God. We enjoy these times living in the sweetness of God's mystery. Our path is nothing more or less then receiving. Every day is the simple peace. You in the cave of your heart, me with my budding Roses, life is precious. Simple peace and our hearts wrestle with the Divine being so much for our simple human heart. The birds, animals, planets and stars are family in these moments. Francis, I know you have tried again and again to explain to the Bishops that they are no more special than our homeless friends, the lepers. The rich are no more rich than the very poor. Life's treasure is within us. Why don't people understand that everything is given in the silence of our heart?

Francis I want to tell you about a day dream I have been carrying all week. I see all the priests and ministers finally agreeing there is nothing to say! Every church large and small is just a house for God. People come and sit in silence. There is no preaching, no need to preach. In the silence is all and everything, so much peace. This is enough. And after sitting for a while, everyone absorbing the goldenness of God in our heart, the people share bread and medicine to any who have need. This is the real church! Why do they make it so complicated Francis? Why?

Anyway this is not the reason I write. I write today trying to put some words to where I have been led inside. I know you already know. But maybe my words support you as well. I know you are burning inside in this fire. Love lightens and overwhelms all my human edges. This very, very, very bright light rises from deep inside of me. I just pray to be available. Truly God knows we are only human. My selfishness is just part of my humanness. This is not to make excuses but Francis we really should not punish ourselves for being human. We are what we are. Can I say that in truth we are this light, only this light? When we leave this world and all our limitations, the angels will welcome us and we will know for certain. There is so much light!

Francis, I know some of the brothers are praying that your tears will stop for the sake of your health. But Francis, don't stop. I understand why you cry and cry so much. It is because of this light. Your tears are the blood of your soul and my soul as well. You cry for all of us. I pray you never stop crying. Know that each tear is milk and honey for my soul and the soul in everyone. May your joy cry out to all now and forever! In the great silence, only joy, joy, joy! I know it doesn't need to be said but thank you Francis. Thank you! Yours, forever in our Lord, Clare

written by Bruce Davis for the Huffington Post