Heart to Heart

JMJDFC

Program 17 - February 13, 1997

Welcome to our broadcast of Heart to Heart. We are in the studio today and will be available to take your phone calls. If you live in the south Jersey area you may dial 962-8178 or from any other area 1-609-962-8178. Also, you may write to us at: Heart to Heart, P. O. Box 11431, Philadelphia, PA 19111-0431.

Father Novacki, OP, will you please read the Scripture for today from

St. Luke [Lk. 9: 22-27]:

Jesus said to His disciples: "The Son of Man must first endure many sufferings, be rejected by the elders, the high priests and the scribes, and be put to death, and then be raised up on the third day."

Jesus said to all: "Whoever wishes to be my follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in my steps. Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit does he show who gains the whole world and destroys himself in the process."

Thank you, Father.

Since we began Lent yesterday, this Gospel should be a clue to all those who have asked what they should "give up" for Lent. Jesus tells us that to be His follower, we must deny ourselves everyday, pick up our own cross and follow in His steps. Lent is the perfect time to practice following the Lords direction. It is a forty-day period of time to work on it, and as they say, "practice makes perfect."

Lent provides the opportunity for us to take stock of our lives. This in itself can be picking up our cross. For us to take time and ask our Lord to help us know ourselves better can be the most torturous of penance's. Especially since this is the type of prayer request that God answers quickly and with total truth, if we are open. Several years ago, I asked our Lord why He didn't seem to answer my prayers. You know, prayers like please let me win the lottery, help me get a fabulous new car and a great big house. His response to me was that my requests were not in keeping with His Will. So, I started thinking of what kind of requests I could make of the Lord that He would answer. The thought came to me that I should ask Our Savior for things I know He will want to provide. Things like the virtue of patience; He didn't give it to me, I had to work at it by being put in situations where I could practice. Charity was another case of being put to work by meeting people who tested my love of God through love for my neighbor. I thought the next request would be easy, no work involved on my part. The request was to know myself better so that I could serve our Creator better.

You remember the adage, "Be careful what you ask for, you may get it." Well, I got it alright; right between the eyes At first I didn't like the fact that He did answer this prayer. The knowledge I received about myself brought me to my knees. Talk about a penance! The light that God will give us when we ask this of Him is beyond our wildest imagination. Being the human that I am, I still haven't taken the lesson completely to heart. However, now it is one that I thank Almighty God for because He loves me enough that He keeps reminding me over and over again.

Once we have been given this knowledge of ourselves, we will spend the rest of our days attempting to correct our faults. We will see much more clearly, the incidents that come from our Loving Father, that are designed to teach and form us into the image of His Son. Remember that nothing impure can see God. Unless we work hard in this life to overcome our faults, we may need to suffer a long and painful purgation. The vision of God in heaven awaits us and the more work we do in this life, the easier our transition will be from this life to the next.

When penance here becomes hard, encourage yourself with the reminder that in this life it really is easy. While we are here we still have a veil that separates us from God so the offerings we make gain more merit, more quickly, with less effort. These merits can be magnified even more if we unite them with the sufferings of Jesus on the Cross, then offer them through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. If we wait until Purgatory, though, the veil will be removed but we will no longer be able to help ourselves. We will need the offerings of others on our behalf to gain our release from that place of penance.

There is another thought about the offerings we make while we are in this life that is important. Remember that God will never be outdone in generosity. If these sufferings are offered to God for His use, to apply to any soul in need, He will double your reward. I recall a story about a saint who was a priest. It may have been St. John, the Cure of Ars. It is said that he was called to the bed of a dying man who was greatly disturbed. The man should have been because he knew he would meet God soon and he had not lived his life for the Lord. Nothing anyone said to the man could calm his fears. The priest told the man to trust in the mercy of God and be at peace. The man replied that the priest could say that because the priest had gained many merits to go to judgement with him. The man then had a thought, he asked the priest if he were so sure of God's mercy, would he write a note to God, releasing all the merits he had gained to be applied on behalf of the sinners soul. The priest wrote out the note and handed it to the man who received it with joy. The man became calm and died in peace. Several days later, the priest was walking along the street when a piece of paper flew into his face. He caught the paper and read the words he had written down at the sinners request.

God loves all of us so much that He wants our salvation, sometimes even more than we seem to want it ourselves. Trust in His mercy, of course, but still let's make every effort to please God while in this life.

In addition to offering all the sufferings we endure, mental and physical, to Almighty God, we know how important prayer is as well. The Holy Name of Jesus is one of the most blessed prayer that we can say. Repeat it over and over, with reverence and awe, and the Lord will send you many graces. Remind Him frequently of your love for Him. Don't take it for granted that He knows, He does, but we need to remind ourselves and repeating it often will help to increase our love for Him.

As a Dominican, after the Mass, of course, the Rosary is very dear to the heart. Many graces and even wars have been won through praying this powerful prayer.

The prayer composed by St. Leo to St. Michael, after his frightening vision of souls falling into hell, is another powerful prayer. Let's pray it together now:

The funny thing about prayer is that many of us recite the words without really praying the prayer. Words are meaningless to some people. They say things without really thinking. When we pray, we should go some place quiet and let the words we use speak to our hearts. Our hearts are where the Trinity dwells within us.

There is a prayer that is an official prayer of the church which priest are required under pain of sin to pray each day. It is called the Liturgy of the Hours. You may know another form of this prayer called the Christian Prayer. One section of this prayer is called, "The Office of Readings." This part contains two readings for each day; one from Scripture, the other from letters by holy people or the Constitutions, or the Second Vatican Council. These lesson are excellent for reminding us each day about what is really important. I've already shared with you a letter that was written by St. Raymond, a Dominican Master. Now I would like share yesterday's second reading;

Several prayer requests have come from our friends on the Catholic Computer Network. Prayer are requested for two people dying of cancer and their families. Several people have requested prayers to assist them in their journey to God. One woman is going through a deep depression and requests our prayers.

Fr. Joseph Griffin, OSFS, still obedient to his superior is not doing any spiritual direction. He is however, hearing Confessions and with the help of God's grace will be back to his full ministry perhaps something in March. He has asked me to thank you for all your prayers especially during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Also, know that he has kept us in his prayers as well especially during his daily Masses.

Rose S. is requesting prayers for her daughter and her friend Fr. Roman.

Diane asks for prayers for her daughter Jenn and I ask for my daughter Jen as well. Both girls are having heart problems.

Rose D. requests prayers for Mary and her family situation.

JoAnne asks for prayers for a friend who is going through a difficult pregnancy.

Please keep the Dominican Laity in your prayers as well. There is a situation in which only God can touch hearts that seem to be hardened. Pray that above all the Will of our heavenly Father may accomplished.

If you have a prayer request, please call us at 215-743-8332.

We are still preparing a booklet to commemorate our first banquet and we will be able to accept your ads. The requested donation for an ad is: $25.00 for a quarter page; $50.00 for half a page; and $100.00 for a full page. The ad can include a message and/or picture or memorial to your loved ones. Our mission at "Heart to Heart" is: "All for the glory and honor of God: and the salvation of souls." Your purchase of an ad will enable this ministry to continue.

While I am restrained from asking you for money, I must let you know that we need funds if we are to continue on the air. Your help is greatly appreciated. The air time which must be purchased and you are our only sponsors. We pray that the messages we have brought to you have touched your soul and assisted you to grow in your love for God. Mother Angelica asks that you place her between you gas and electric bills, I would ask that you place us between your phone and water bills. The only sponsors we have are your generosity. We offer a special "thank you," to Mr. and Mrs. Morrisey who has sponsored this weeks program.

Thank you for your prayers and contributions. Please don't be concerned about the amount you send. If everyone who listened to this broadcast sent in $1.00 each month, we would be assured of being on the air for a long time to come. We are looking now for people to sponsor our air time for the month of March.

The name of the person who contributes towards a program or month can be announced as the sponsor, if they so desire. A contribution of $45.00 will sponsor half a program while $90.00 will sponsor the entire program. To sponsor a full month, multiply the number of Thursdays in the month you choose by $90.00. Please assist us by your prayers and donations. Please make your tax deductible donation to "Heart to Heart." May God reward you, my brothers and sisters, for the assistance you give to keep this program on the air.

Thank you for all those who attended the Chastity Dinner and Dance on February 8, 1997. We trust you enjoyed yourselves. God willing we will see you there in June.

For those who love the Blessed Mother and St. Therese: The Little Flower, and also like to travel have I got a deal for you.

Just a reminder about another fund raising effort. We have a beautiful picture of the Blessed Mother and Pope John Paul II in a loving embrace. This picture is beautifully framed and glass covered. Everyone who sends in a donation will have their name entered into a drawing for this picture. The drawing will take place at the banquet.

If you still don't have a positive thing to do for Lent, how about assisting us with our ministry? We could use some volunteers for various projects we would like to begin. If you have some time on your hands and would like to put that time at our Lord's disposal, drop us a line or give us a call. God rewards everything we do for Him and for our brothers and sisters in Him. If you would like us to visit you or someone you know, please give us a call.

To make a comment, a donation, ask a question or bring up a subject that you would like discussed on this program, write to us at: Heart to Heart, P. O. Box 11431, Philadelphia, PA 19111-0431. You may call us at (215) 743-8332.

God willing, we'll be with you again next week at 2:15pm. Remember: God's power is in your hands when you pray the Rosary. May God bless you and protect you.

Father, will you please grant our listeners a blessing?

May the blessing of Almighty God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit fill your hearts with peace, joy and happiness now and forever. In the Name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.