Spiritual Consolation amid COVID-19: What is the Third Rule?

April 15, 2020
excerpt from my spiritual journal this day.

Luke 24:13-35
The Walk to Emmaus

The first thing that stood out for me were the words,
"On the first day of the week,"
I thought immediately 'Monday'; because of course our work lives and daily lives with our children, all of society in fact, see Monday as the first day of the week.
But now I see this "first day" as the day Jesus resurrected, our Sunday.
Sunday is the first day of the week. and like most of us, we walk along discussing the things that have happened to us in our lives during the past week.

So too these disciples are speaking of the recent events of their days, which was all that had happened to Jesus, what they had hoped, and how they had heard that he was alive and that the tomb was empty, as they had been told.

This to me now is the Word we hear at Mass, the readings of the day.

And then Jesus, whom they do not recognize, listens to them recounting the words they had been told.

And Jesus starts speaking to them, explaining the Scripture to them, and here I saw the priest giving his Homily to us, making the Scriptures meaningful for us today.

And Jesus is invited to stay with them, and he does.

Do we not do the same in our prayers at Mass?
"Blessed is he comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!"

And at Table, we remember the words of the Lord at the Last Supper, in the breaking of the bread, the Holy Eucharist. the moment of Consecration of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ.

And the disciples, and we too, recognize the Lord in this moment. The church becomes quiet, one can hear a pin drop.  Jesus Christ is here in the Body and the Blood.

And after we receive Communion, our hearts too are warmed, knowing he is with us.

And it does not end there.

This is the Mass, and we are sent out, just as the disciples, who "got up" and "found the eleven and their companions gathered together" and "told them what had happened on the road, and how the Lord had been made known to them in the breaking of bread."
And we praise the Lord too, saying:
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

But it is not enough to stay there.
We must do as we are told: Missa est. Go. The Mass is ended.

Like the disciples at Emmaus, we too must go out and witness to the Lord.

Prayer after Communion this day:
'We pray, O Lord, that the reverent reception of the Sacrament of your Son may cleanse us from our old ways and transform us into a new creation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.'
(Living With Christ, Novalis)

***

In these days of COVID-19, we can still feel "our hearts burn within us" at the time of Communion, despite the closed doors of the church.
Jesus is in the Tabernacle.


We can watch a live-streamed Mass and pray the Prayer for Spiritual Communion as the priest offers Communion following the Consecration.  Pray this prayer, trusting in the Lord, and you too will feel your heart burning, quivering, warmed within you.
Christ is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Indeed he is risen!  Alleluia! Alleluia!

The Prayer for Spiritual Communion:
My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul,
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.

[316] Third Rule. The third: Of Spiritual Consolation.  I call it consolation when some interior movement in the soul is caused, through which the soul comes to be inflamed with love of its Creator and lord; and when it can in consequence love no created thing on the face of the earth in itself, but in the Creator of them all.
Likewise, when it sheds tears that move to love of its Lord, whether out of sorrow for one's sins, or for the passion of Christ our Lord, or because of other things directly connected with his service and praise.
Finally, I call consolation every increase in hope, faith, and charity, and all interior joy which calls and attracts to heavenly things and to the salvation of one's soul, quieting it and giving it peace in its Creator and Lord.
[313-327] Ignatian Rules for Discernment
DRAW ME INTO YOUR FRIENDSHIP, The Spiritual Exercises
David L. Fleming, S.J.

Live streamed Masses:
The Saint Luke Catholic Community
Jesus Light of the World Parish

Live streamed Masses also available at:
EWTN; Salt and Light Television; Vision TV.

What are Guidelines For Thinking With The Church Today?

April 13, 2020

excerpt from my spiritual journal this day...

Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Triduum.

All lived in virtual reality. The 'virtual' was:

- a drawing of Palms for Palm Sunday;

- live-streaming Masses and Zoom Novenas;

- a drawing of a Candle in our window for Holy Thursday;

- a drawing of a Crucifix in my hand for Good Friday's Way of the Cross;

and now...

- the Bells we usually ring at Easter,

silent still,

on the ledge of our home office window...

another drawing perhaps??

But, the reality lives in my heart:

...Peace and Joy within after praying our Zoom group's Rosary Novenas, every evening at 9pm,

now on Day 5 praying the Novena to the Divine Mercy.

...A quivering feeling in my heart each time I pray the Prayer for Spiritual Communion during our live-streamed Masses.

...The assurance of love in community, and a pastoral team that is caring for us, celebrating Masses for us, teaching us via videos on our parish website.

A Lent well lived, despite the pandemic that is around us.

What now will the Easter season bring?

Our transitional Deacon, Francis, has opened doors of hope that prepare the way to the next liturgical event, Pentecost.

And the roses that are strewn are Novenas,

- to Saint Joseph the Worker;

- to Our Lady of Fatima;

- The Ascension of Our Lord;

- the Novena to the Holy Spirit.

How blessed are we!

Thank you, Lord, for your faithful servants who continue to guide and guard. Thank you for your Presence and Love.

Thank you for your Grace.

I see these things now in a new way.

Visible signs of inward reality:

drawings to mark the journey to Easter, of Palms, a Candle, a Crucifix held by a hand with lines of age, and perhaps of Bells waiting to be rung...

Ash Wednesday seems a long time ago, yet it  has only been our Lenten days, just over 40 now.

Ashes to Bells.

The Lord is Risen! Alleluia!  Alleluia!

Indeed, he is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!

The Contemporary Reading:

[359] 7. We should respect the Christian call to penance and should respond freely to the abstinence and fasting of the prescribed days in the Church year.  We should also continue our personal search for the ways of giving expression to the carrying of our cross daily in our following of Jesus Christ.

[352] GUIDELINES FOR THINKING WITH THE CHURCH TODAY

[315] 2. The good spirit strengthens and encourages, consoles and inspires, establishes a peace and sometimes moves to a firm resolve. To lead a good life gives delight and joy, and no obstacle seems to be so formidable that it cannot be faced and overcome with God's grace. The good spirit thereby continues an upright person's progress in responding to God's continuing invitation.

[313-327] PART 1. Guidelines for Discerning Different Movements

Source:

DRAW ME INTO YOUR FRIENDSHIP, The SPIRITUAL EXERCISES

A LITERAL TRANSLATION & A CONTEMPORARY READING

David L. Fleming, S.J.

What is gratitude in Ignatian Spirituality?

April 3, 2020
John 10:31-42; Psalm 82
excerpt from my spiritual journal

Lord, I want to thank you, for all that you have done for me throughout my life.

You have protected me, and kept me safe, otherwise I would not be here.

You have brought my sons and grandchildren to this day with me.  I am truly grateful.

And here I read today that we are your children through Psalm 82, referenced by Jesus himself.  Children of God.  Children of God. Children of God, Children of God.

No matter how many times we say this, we can never truly comprehend or accept in our hearts the reality of what you have done for us, in making us, calling us, your children.

If this be true, we have nothing to fear (and it is true) not even this pandemic. For even if we die, you are still our Father, and you shall bring us home.

How Good you are to us, dear God.

Thank you for wisdom and grace, for  practical knowledge in everyday life, and for spiritual knowledge to know the things that are better for us, the more, as Ignatius would say, that we can walk and live and be in your ways.

Thank you Lord for your Presence, which brings peace and comfort to the heart.  Knowing your love and care brings great consolation to us in these difficult times, for many are suffering.

Hear our prayers dear Lord, for suffering humanity; hear dear Lord the cries of your children, and come to our aid.
In Jesus' Holy Name.  Amen.

Mother Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
All the angels and saints, pray for us.

And may the Mercy of God be with us and remain with us, forevermore.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
Amen.
André Rieu - Pie Jesu
Pie Jesus, lyrics below in Latin and in English

Excerpt from letter from Saint Ignatius to Father Simao Rodrigues
Rome, March 18, 1542
"...the grateful acknowledgment of blessings and gifts received is loved and esteemed both in heaven and on earth." 

"Pie Jesu" Latin lyrics
Pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu
Qui tolls peccata mundi
dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem
Pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem
Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem
Sepiternam
Sempiternam
Requiem

"Pie Jesu" English translation
Merciful Jesus, merciful Jesus, merciful Jesus, merciful Jesus
Father, who takes away the sins of the world
Grant them rest, grant them rest
Merciful Jesus, merciful Jesus, merciful Jesus, merciful Jesus
Father, who takes away the sins of the world
Grant them rest, grant them rest
Lamb of God, Lamb of God, Lamb of God, Lamb of God
Father, who takes away the sins of the world
Grant them rest, grant them rest
everlasting
everasting
Rest