Today, then, I wish to speak on that Beatitude which says clearly: "BLESSED ARE THE CLEAN OF HEART, FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD."
Little children, go back and re-read these holy words, and understand the promise given: "for they shall see God!"
O! Is this not what you are made for? To see Me in all My glory for all eternity? And who shall see Me? The clean of heart.
There are some of My children whom I have chosen from all time to preserve them by extraordinary graces so as to allow their hearts to bear no stain of impurity. These are My chosen souls and I do not give these extraordinary graces to all.
Therefore, because of your faulty, finite reasoning you conclude that this Beatitude applies only to a few rare souls and no one else can achieve it. Then My enemy, satan, further twists your thoughts and causes you to lead depraved lives because you cannot see Me, why should you labor so hard in life to be pure and chaste?
My dear little children, all the hosts of Heaven delight in My Presence, properly called the Beatific Vision. All of the Holy Souls in Purgatory suffer pain beyond description because they glimpsed My Divine Presence at the moment of their particular judgment and the absence of My Presence is the greatest suffering. Yet for these holy suffering souls their joy is knowing they shall see Me, and for all Eternity.
Ponder upon this. The saints in Heaven by their sufferings, have been made "clean of heart" through My Infinite Merits and their loving obedience to all My commands in their life. Because I Am and I am Perfection, no one can enter into the Beatific Vision unless they are "clean of heart." Through My Infinite Divine Mercy I have not condemned those souls who have transgressed against My Will in life and appear at their particular judgment stained by their offenses which have not been fully expiated. In Purgatory these holy souls (and they are holy) complete their purification for I Will for them to be with Me, to see Me, for all Eternity.
Thus, little children of My Most Sacred Heart, I would not have spoken those words: "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God," if this was not My Will for you; if it was not possible for each of My faithful sheep.
But there is also another sublime lesson I wish you to understand. On earth My Divine Presence remains veiled from your mortal eyes. How many of My little ones sigh, and long for a glimpse of Me in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Yet, by faith do they live, for My Presence remains veiled under the appearance of Bread and Wine.
As you strive to do My Will perfectly in your life, you are becoming "clean of heart," but you fail to recognize this growing unity with Me. You fail because you rely too much upon human reasoning and human feelings. No, little children, through grace, through the ceaseless working of the Holy Spirit, your heart must, moment by moment, become pure and chaste. Then, little children, it is your soul which sees Me supernaturally, your soul which recognizes Me, God and Savior, and an intense love for Me alights your soul, spurring you on to even greater purity or cleanness of heart.
In every walk of life, My children, I call all to be pure, holy and chaste in My sight. How do you achieve this, particularly in your sorrowful, sin-filled world?
It begins with a "FIAT" of your entire being, a commitment that places your soul in charge, and subdues the lower human ego and intellect, making human nature subject to Me! As you work toward having a clean heart My grace helps you to see only Me, thus blocking out the sinful sights and sounds of the world. My grace is a shield, a buffer against all manner of wickedness.
There was no lack of temptation present for Me in My earthly life. There was no less temptation for My Holy and Immaculate Mother, and all who would come after Me in My way. But all were able by grace through My Merits and the Holy Spirit, to instantly focus on God, to spiritually be with God, and to reject outright all manner of evil by invoking My Most Holy Name, and mercifully praying for all who contrived such evil that offends eye, ear and the human passions.
To be ‘clean of heart’ is to acknowledge My Presence with you at all times and in all things. It is totally trusting in Me for all your needs. It is asking yourself if you could truly see Me in the moment in which you must think, act or speak, would I think, act or speak in the same way? Would I, your Lord and Savior, Son of God and Savior of the world participate in what you are seeing, hearing or doing, or would I depart for I cannot abide uncleanness, nor can I be where I am not recognized as the One True God because you replace Me with worldly gods?
Therefore, little children, I do solemnly tell you. My grace is sufficient to purify your heart, to wash it clean in My Most Precious Blood. My grace is sufficient in your life, but you must seek My grace, truly want it and willingly amend your life so My grace fills and sustains your soul.
Do you desire Me enough to follow My Path? Do you truly want to see Me and be Mine for all Eternity? Or do you choose to idolize the false vanities and pleasures of the world and the transitory fleeting enjoyment of useless human activities where I am not to be found?
In all you do, My children, I care! I watch! I see! I desire to walk with you at every step, sanctifying your journey and cleansing your heart. When you choose the path of the wicked snares of My enemy, I cannot accompany you, for you have entered into the way of an unclean heart.
These last days shall be filled with all manner of impurity. But I do solemnly tell you that if you seek Me, I shall provide for your every need and with a clean heart you shall see Me, your God, in a supernatural way never before realized by mankind, for this is the Reign of My Sacred Heart which Comes.
Therefore, pray and make your will submissive to Mine in all things, and I solemnly tell you that before My Eternal Father the angels shall sing "Blessed are you, child of God. Your heart is clean and shines with purity. Behold the Face of God!"
NEXT WEEK: Lesson/Meditation #63:
The groaning in the Spirit - that's the gift of tongues used even by Jesus (cf. Hebrews 5: 7). "The Father Who understands what the Spirit is saying within your heart will answer in accordance with His Will" (Romans 8: 27). Gaining the gift of faith will be enhanced through praying in tongues, which both Paul and Jesus say we should all have (cf. 1 Corinthians 14: 5 and Mark 16: 17).
1 Corinthians 14: 23 warns that those who do not have the charismatic gifts will think that those are crazy who speak in tongues. Expect this persecution because they don't appreciate this gift who don't have it. The same is true for prophecy. In their ignorance they say it is either foolish or beyond their attaining. They won't even ask for it, though the Bible commands them to ask for it. That is typical of the prejudice we meet in fostering the charismatic renewal within the Church.
The three means of cultivating the gift of faith are: by practicing the virtue of faith, by "earnestly seeking" the gift of faith and by praying in tongues. We all have some level of faith; that's where God starts - He takes us where we are. As Isaiah said, God will not crush the bruised reed or quench the smouldering flax (cf. Isaiah 42: 3). But whatever faith you have, don't lose it. In Hebrews 10:38 we are warned not to slip back in our faith, for that is not pleasing to God.
Without faith, you cannot please God (cf. Hebrews 11: 6). The more faith you have, the more you please God. And the more you please God, the more He'll please you by filling your needs.
Next week: Dynamic Two: The Virtue of Faith
No.1316 and 1317, page 333 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: The Celebration of the Christian Mystery; Libreria Editrice Vaticana: Urbi Et Orbi Communications:
[1316]
Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds.
[1317]
Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian's soul; for this reason one can receive this sacrament only once in one's life.
From the Baltimore Catechism No. 2; Benziger Brothers, Inc. and Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. No. 337 and 339.
[337]
Q. What are the effects of Confirmation?
A. The effects of Confirmation are an increase of sanctifying grace, the strengthening of our faith, the gifts of the Holy Ghost, and imprints a lasting character on the soul.
[339]
Q. What is the character of Confirmation?
A. The character of Confirmation is a spiritual and indelible sign which marks the Christian as a soldier in the army of Christ.
In the last twenty years the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has invested $4 billion in the promotion of all sorts of demographic control. This money comes from the taxes Americans pay to their government. Of 260 million Americans, 60 million are Catholic.
This situation calls for a very concrete strategy of solidarity among the churches of the two hemispheres of the continent. The bishops of Latin America lack the means of solving this situation. Nevertheless, they can count on the valuable help of their brothers in the United States, who represent millions of United States citizens and who can effectively pressure political leaders in Washington to defend the rights of their brothers in the South.
In this way, the Church will achieve what Archbishop Norberto Rivera Carrera of Mexico City, called for when he asked the Synod for America to not leave the Pope alone in defending the right to life and the rights of the family. This united action would also be a concrete way to live solidarity.
The encyclical of Pope Pius XII, the Holy Father said, paved the way for liturgical reform, and especially for greater participation on the part of the laity.
"As one liturgical year ends and another begins, we are invited to a more active understanding of the role played by the liturgy in the life of the Church," the Pope said. He said that the liturgy "constantly nourishes hope and love," and thus provides the wherewithal for "the work of the new evangelization."
The Pope praised Pope Pius XII for the "equilibrium" of his encyclical, which combined "a prophetic pastoral sense" with a prudent effort to avoid all excesses. He insisted that the encyclical had provided the basis for the liturgical changes brought forward by Vatican II. And he added that as the 1999 liturgical year begins-- the year which he has consecrated particularly to the Holy Spirit-- the Church should renew her efforts to enhance the quality and appreciation of liturgical celebrations.
According to a Vatican official, "until now, since a synod is an event of and for the bishops, priests, religious, and lay people attending could only speak upon request and on an issue previously assigned. This is the first time that they will have the opportunity to address a message to the Synod fathers."
According to Cardinal Schotte, four hours in total will be reserved at the end of this week to give an opportunity to the 41 invited auditors to give a six-minute talk. The speakers will be scheduled in the order in which they submit the full talk and a 25- line summary to the presidency of the Synod.
