Process/Pattern of Increase - Deacon Marc Gauthier

I asked Deacon Marc if I could post the homily he gave at the Tuesday morning mass this week and here it is: 

Thank you Deacon Marc

Processes of Failure and Increase

2020-03-04

The foundation of the two processes mentioned below are based on the Kingdom Principle that God’s gauge for faithfulness is character development and cooperation with the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

The following are two Kingdom of God processes, or we could call them Character Processes - one that leads to failure and the other leads to increase, especially an increase in God’s grace in our lives so that we may live as faithful disciples. The word process best describes what happens, as one stage leads to another. I give you both so that you can appreciate the difference, but I will lay out a more detailed description of the Process for Increase.

First, the Process of Failure: four stages, or whatever you want to refer to them as, roughly happening sequentially - Deception, Distraction, Dislocation and Destruction.

The Process of Increase involves Identification, Involvement, Investment and Increase.

The process produces an increase of Sanctifying grace within us - the work of the Holy Spirit bringing about holiness and communion with the Trinity of Love.

We must first Identify with our Lord as the disciples did - in the first chapter of St. John’s gospel when they chose to seek out the Lord. Jesus awakens in them a desire to know more about Him, and He invites them to follow Him.

As the disciples watched and listened, day by day, they, and we, begin to get involved. I’m reminded of the distribution duties the apostles had at the event we know as the multiplication of loaves and fishes (see Matthew 14).We should want to be Jesus’ hands and feet, and spread the wonders of His love with others.

Then comes the Lord’s prayer into our lives.

“One day He was praying in a certain place. When He had finished, one of His disciples asked Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples.’” (Luke 11:1)

Jesus was/is a Rabbi in so many ways. His disciples, like the disciples of any Rabbi, wanted to know the prayer of their Rabbi. In this way,  as Jesus offered them His prayer, they would be welcomed deeper into His life (“Put out into the deep…” Luke 5). They, we, would need to invest ourselves, go “all-in” as it were, and call God our Father.  Bit by bit we begin to discover what it means to live as His children, to seek His way of righteousness in all things and to trust in Him for all things.

We learn to live in ways that others will know that we receive the grace to love, as He loves us, from Him. Then, as He sends us out with His message of reconciliation (see 2 Corinthians 5:19), His Sanctifying grace increases in us so that He may be glorified.

Deacon Marc Gauthier

Mass and Adoration today

Every Tuesday in our parish we have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament beginning after the morning mass and ending with Benediction and recital of the Divine Praises at 4pm

Deacon Marc always gives a wonderful homily but today it was super great! I will post some excerpts from it later on. 

Lent is an ideal time to draw closer to Jesus. I think it is my favorite church season. I love spending  quiet time with our Lord each Tuesday. What a gift! It gives me strength  for the journey and fills me with joy . 

I found these inspiring lenten quotes from saints and other holy men and women  on Cat Chat

https://catchat.ca/blog/21-catholic-quotes-to-help-you-during-lent

“Have patience with all things, but first of all with yourself.”
St. Francis de Sales

“The Lord measures out perfection neither by the multitude nor the magnitude of our deeds, but by the manner in which we perform them.”
– St. John of the Cross

“You don’t know how to pray? Put yourself in the presence of God, and as soon as you have said, ‘Lord, I don’t know how to pray!’ you can be sure you’ve already begun.”
-Saint Josemaría Escrivá

“Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves… What is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Spirit? Whatever it is, let us relentlessly tear it out, without a moment’s hesitation.”
-Catherine Doherty

“Unless there is a Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday.”
-Ven. Fulton Sheen

"Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty. Let us not forget that real poverty hurts: no self-denial is real without this dimension of penance. I distrust a charity that costs nothing and does not hurt."
-Pope Francis

“There are ways of being crucified that do not involve rough wood or heavy nails, but a love beyond our capacity to love, which means a love that has been given to us by God…”
-Catherine Doherty

"And he said to all: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me"
- Luke 9:23.

“Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.”
-St. Rose of Lima

"As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus’ thirst…He knows your weakness. He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you.”
– Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

"Show me your hands. Do they have scars from giving? Show me your feet. Are they wounded in service? Show me your heart. Have you left a place for divine love?"
-Ven. Fulton Sheen

“Give something, however small, to the one in need. For it is not small to one who has nothing. Neither is it small to God, if we have given what we could.”
-St. Gregory Nazianzen

"Nothing, how little so ever it be, if it is suffered for God's sake, can pass without merit in the sight of God."
-Thomas a Kempis

“The ultimate goal of fasting is to help each one of us to make a complete gift of self to God."
–Pope Benedict XVI

"…Although we may be able to do but little, the enemy nevertheless stands more in awe of those whom he knows can fast."
–St. Francis de Sales

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
-Lamentations 3:22-23

"(Lent) is a period of spiritual 'combat' which we must experience alongside Jesus, not with pride and presumption, but using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the word of God and penance. In this way we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth, ready to renew the promises of our Baptism."
-Pope Benedict XVI

“Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one’s flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust, kindles the true light of chastity.”
-St. Thomas Aquinas

"Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring."
– St. Catherine of Siena

“You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working, and just so, you learn to love by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves.”
-St. Francis de Sales

“God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.”
-Pope Francis

Consecration of Canada to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during the Historic Marian Congress of 1947

Every day it seems to get worse when it comes to the moral state of our country with all out abortion, euthanasia, the attack on the family, persecution of people of Faith ..........In fact it appears that people who put their Faith into practice are now banned from being a candidate for the Conservative Party Leadership Race. Not just the Liberals anymore! I'm thinking that every day I am going to try to pray this Marian Consecration  from the historic Marian Congress of 1947.


 

The Double Standard of Freedom of Expression in Canada

It really got me going two weeks ago when Justin Trudeau during a News Conference said             
"We recognize the important democratic right — and will always defend it — of peaceful protest," "But we are also a country of the rule of law, and we need to make sure those laws are respected."

And this from the Mounties
"The right to peaceful, safe and lawful protest, and freedom of expression, are important parts of Canada's democracy," the Mounties said in a statement. "However, blocking roadways is both dangerous and illegal."

Peaceful protest is one thing but lawlessness is another.. We are all aware of the impact this is having on our economy our families, our health our youth..... So why is it still being allowed? It's harmful in so many ways.
Rex Murphy sums it up perfectly today in the National Post Killing hope where it's most needed – among Aboriginal Youth 

There is clearly a double standard in Canada when it comes to one's "democratic right " to peaceful protest. It's so blatant it stares you in the face.

For instance: the atrocious treatment of pro-life people in Canada. What are we: chopped liver?

A few examples of this ( from Run with Life blog )

• Pro Life persons are prevented from praying across the street from the abortion site with the abortion bubble zone law. This forced Fr. Tony Van Hee to bring a Charter Challenge against the government for this discrimination. Father Tony wasn't even protesting abortion but rather his right to his freedom of speech which according to Justin Trudeau he will always defend. Yeah right! 
• And then Francis Barrett age 90 and a few others were harassed during the peaceful 40 Days for Life campaign by the Ottawa police From Run with Life Blog " He first complained to the Ottawa Police about the treatment he and others received at the abortion site (outside the bubble zone). After multiple meetings, phone calls, emails, and four months of waiting, Mr. Barrett never received an apology for his treatment.
• And our Annual peaceful March for life has been blocked for the past four years now by rowdy abortion supporters and anarchists and the police do nothing. How come these bullies get away with it? 

I could go on and on. It's abysmal the way peaceful pro life Canadians who respect the law are treated compared to lawless protesters who seem to have no respect for the law.

And get this:we are on the Right Wing Extremist List by the Canadian Armed Forces alongside white supremacists, anti-Semitics, racists, neo-nazis, skinheads, the KKK. No kidding! I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone sometimes or in a parallel universe. You can read more about this at  Run with Life BLog   Pat gives dozens of examples of pro-choice extremists who regularly attack pro-life persons.

Of course you'll never hear of any of this from our left wing media.

Photos below of the March for Life two years ago. Notice the NDP supporters and the Communist flag. Just saying.

Run With Life: Update on Francis Barrett being carded by Ottawa P...

Run With Life: Update on Francis Barrett being carded by Ottawa P...: "After watching me from across the street (in front of 65 Bank) they [the police] came across the street,  stood behind me (see pict...

Happy Birthday Mike and Winterlude

Dinner at the Keg

Run With Life: Pro-abortion Planned Parenthood Toronto receives $...

Run With Life: Pro-abortion Planned Parenthood Toronto receives $...:

Remember how the pro-abortions had their knickers in a twist about pro-life groups receiving $1.8 million from the Canada Summer Jobs Program? Well Planned Parenthood Toronto received over $11 million from governments. ($11,448,591 to be exact). That's one organization compared to 56 organizations.

Can you say 'Discrimination much'?

Thank You President Trump

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/full-text-trumps-2020-march-for-life-speech

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Below is the text of President Donald Trump's address to the 2020 March for Life. This is the first time any U.S. president has attended the march, which is the largest annual human rights demonstration in the world.

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AT 2020 MARCH FOR LIFE

Thank you very much and thank you, Jeanne. It is my profound honor to be the first president in history to attend the March for Life. [applause] We are here for a very simple reason: to defend the right of every child, born and unborn, to fulfill their God-given potential. [applause] 

For 47 years, Americans of all backgrounds have traveled from across the country to stand for life.  

And today as President of the United States, I am truly proud to stand with you. [applause]

I want to welcome tens of thousands – this is a tremendous turnout – tens of thousands of high school and college students who took long bus rides to be here in our nation's capital. And to make you feel even better, there are tens of thousands of people outside that we passed on the way in. If anybody would like to give up their spot, we can work it out.

We have a tremendous group of people outside. Thousands and thousands wanted to get in. This is some great success. [applause]

Young people are the heart of the March for Life. And it’s your generation that is making America the pro-family, pro-life nation. [applause]

The life movement is led by strong women, amazing faith leaders, and brave students who carry on the legacy of pioneers before us who fought to raise the conscience of our nation and uphold the rights of our citizens. You embrace mothers with care and compassion. You are empowered by prayer and motivated by your unselfish love. You are grateful and we are so grateful ­­– these are incredible people – to be joined by Secretary Alex Azar and Kellyanne Conway. [applause]

And thanks also to Senators Mike Lee and James Lankford who are here. Thank you, fellas. And Representatives Steve Scalise, Chris Smith, Ralph Abraham, Warren Davidson, Bob Latta, John Joyce, Lloyd Smucker, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Brad Wenstrup. Thank you all. I have to say – and I look at it, and I see it exactly – we have many more politicians in the audience. But if you don't mind, I won’t introduce them all.

All of us here understand an eternal truth: Every child is a precious and sacred gift from God. [applause] Together, we must protect, cherish, and defend the dignity and the sanctity of every human life. [applause]

When we see the image of a baby in the womb, we glimpse the majesty of God's creation. [applause] When we hold a newborn in our arms, we know the endless love that each child brings to a family. When we watch a child grow, we see the splendor that radiates from each human soul. One life changes the world – from my family, and I can tell you, I send love, and I send great, great love – and from the first day in office, I have taken historic action to support America’s families and to protect the unborn. [applause]

And during my first week in office, I reinstated and expanded the Mexico City Policy and we issued a landmark pro-life rule to govern the use of Title X taxpayer funding. I notified Congress that I would veto any legislation that weakens pro-life policy or that encourages the destruction of human life. [applause]

At the United Nations, I made clear that global bureaucrats have no business attacking the sovereignty of nations that protect innocent life. [applause] Unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House. [applause]

As the Bible tells us, each person is wonderfully made. [applause]

We have taken decisive action to protect the religious liberty – so important – religious liberty has been under attack all over the world and frankly, very strongly attacked in our nation. You see it better than anyone. But we are stopping it. And we’re taking care of doctors, nurses, teachers, and groups like the Little Sisters of the Poor. [applause]

We are preserving faith-based adoption and to uphold our founding documents, we have appointed 187 federal judges, who apply the Constitution as written, including two phenomenal supreme court justices – Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh. [applause]

We are protecting pro-life students’ rights to free speech on college campuses. And if universities want federal taxpayer dollars, then they must uphold your First Amendment right to speak your mind. And if they don't, they pay a very big financial penalty, which they will not be willing to pay. [applause]

Sadly, the far left is working to erase our God-given rights, shut down faith-based charities, ban religious leaders from the public square, and silence Americans who believe in the sanctity of life. They are coming after me because I am fighting for you and we are fighting for those who have no voice. And we will win because we know how to win. [applause] We all know how to win. We all know how to win. You’ve been winning for a long time. You’ve been winning for a long time.

Together, we are the voice for the voiceless. When it comes to abortion – and you know this, you’ve seen what’s happened – Democrats have embraced the most radical and extreme positions taken and seen in this country for years and decades, and you can even say, for centuries.

Nearly every top Democrat in congress now supports taxpayer-funded abortion all the way up until the moment of birth. Last year, lawmakers in New York cheered with delight upon the passage of legislation that would allow a baby to be ripped from the mother's womb right up until delivery.

Then, we had the case of the Democrat governor in the state of Virginia, the commonwealth of Virginia. And we love the commonwealth of Virginia, but what is going on in Virginia? What is going on? The governor stated that he would execute a baby after birth. You remember that.

Senate Democrats even blocked legislation that would give medical care to babies who survive attempted abortions. And that’s why I’ve called on Congress – two of our great senators here, so many of our congressmen here – I called upon them to defend the dignity of life and to pass legislation prohibiting late-term abortion of children who can feel pain in their mother's womb. [applause]

This year, the March for Life is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, which forever enshrined women's rights to vote in the United States and given by the United States constitution. Such a big event. Today, millions of extraordinary women across America are using the power of their votes to fight for the right and all of their rights as given in the Declaration of Independence – it’s the right to life. [applause]

To all the women here today, your devotion and your leadership uplifts our entire nation and we thank you for that. The tens of thousands of Americans gathered today not only stand for life – it’s really here that they stand for it so proudly together. And I want to thank everybody for that. You stand for life each and every day. You provide housing, education, jobs, and medical care to the women that you serve. You find loving families for children in need of a forever home. You host baby showers for expecting moms. You make – you just make it your life's mission to help spread God's grace.

And to all the moms here today, we celebrate you and we declare that mothers are heroes. [applause] Your strength, devotion, and drive is what powers our nation. Because of you, our country has been blessed with amazing souls who have changed the course of human history.

We cannot know what our citizens yet unborn will achieve. The dreams they will imagine. The masterpieces they will create. The discoveries they will make. But we know this: every life brings love into this world. Every child brings joy to a family. Every person is worth protecting.

And above all, we know that every human soul is divine and every human life, born and unborn, is made in the holy image of Almighty God. [applause]

Together, we will defend this truth all across our magnificent land. We will set free the dreams of our people. And with determined hope, we look forward to all of the blessings that will come from the beauty, talent, purpose, nobility, and grace of every American child.

I want to thank you. This is a very special moment. It’s so great to represent you. I love you all. [applause] And I say with a true passion, thank you, God bless you, and God bless America. Thank you all. Thank you. [applause]

https://singloudermovie.com/

God's Moral Messasge

" God’s moral message and standards are clear. We are to 'take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ ' (2 Cor. 10:5). 'Every thought we allow should be able to pass the examination proposed in Scripture. Is this thought, true, noble… right… pure… lovely… admirable… excellent… worthy? (cf Phil 4:8) + "'

Father James Whalen , Catholic Life and Family, 2004, Issue 1