FAITH AMIDST OBSCURITY IN THE CHURCH

Divine Appeal Reflection - 172

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 172: "My Church will be obfuscated. The souls consecrated to Me hurl torrents of blasphemies and lies against the Church. Many of them have rejected Me and they only believe in malicious work."

In Divine Appeal 172, our Adorable Jesus speaks of a time when His Church will be obscured, its divine mission clouded by the rejection of truth. He grieves deeply, describing how many consecrated souls, entrusted with the sacred responsibility to uphold His teachings, have instead turned against Him. These souls, once set apart to serve in holiness, now hurl torrents of blasphemies and lies against the Church that was meant to radiate His light (cf. Matthew 5:14-16). The obfuscation of the Church's message reveals a troubling departure from the faith that was meant to guide them toward salvation.

Our Adorable Jesus laments the rejection of His presence, which lies at the heart of this betrayal. The truth of His everlasting Word has been traded for the lies of the world by souls consecrated to Him, abandoning the chaste nature of their calling for evil deeds that threaten the Church's fundamental foundation (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). This tragic shift reflects a failure to recognize the sanctity of their consecration and the responsibility they bear as stewards of the faith. It is a call for all believers to examine their own commitment to the truth, ensuring that they do not allow worldly distractions or false ideologies to cloud their vision of Christ.

In response to these challenges, our Adorable Jesus calls us to pray fervently for all consecrated souls. In order to cause confusion and division within the Church, the enemy assaults priests, religious, and everyone who has devoted their life to God (cf. Ephesians 6:12). We are urged to pray for them so they might resume their full vocation while continuing to be consistent in their commitment to Christ and His work. This is especially important during a time when evil powers are trying to mislead people and distort the truth.

Finally, as the Church faces this period of trial and darkness, we are encouraged to be faithful witnesses to the light of Christ. Our Adorable Jesus assures us that, though His Church may appear to suffer, the truth will ultimately prevail (cf. John 14:6). Amid confusion and division, we are called to stand unwavering in faith, holding fast to the teachings of the Church and living our vocations with steadfast integrity. Through fervent prayer, heartfelt penance, and sincere acts of reparation, we contribute to the Church's purification and aid in reclaiming souls who have wandered from the truth. Let us joyfully offer our sacrifices for the conversion of all, especially those who have turned away from our Adorable Jesus, that His light may draw them back to His infinite love.

Prayer

Our Adorable Jesus, with hearts full of love and sorrow, we implore You to heal Your wounded Church. Renew consecrated souls and draw back those who have strayed. Shine Your light through the darkness, and make us vessels of Your truth, love, and mercy. 

Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.

DIVINE APPEAL 172

ON THE EUCHARIST:A DIVINE APPEAL

(Revelation to Sr Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist)

VOLUME 1

“My Church will be obfuscated.”

“My daughter, pray a great deal and cloister souls in your heart. 

My daughter, My Church will be obfuscated. The souls consecrated to Me

hurl torrents of blasphemies and lies against the Church. Many of them 

have rejected Me and they only believe in malicious work.

What a pain to Me! Mankind with its diabolical behaviour brings

down upon itself punishments, scourges, cosmic cataclysms. From

My Divine Mercy I bring My warning.

I pour My tears of blood over this mankind... The devil directs souls

to perdition while in the Sacrament of My Love he leads them to

step on Me. They use violence. Together they carry other souls to

perdition. What more could I have suffered for them. I suffered all

the pain. Souls must be converted. This plague of sins and the anger

of My Eternal Father must be appeased with prayers and penances.

My own... will perish by Divine Justice if they do not change their

lives. Like a beggar I ask for prayers. How much evil is being

provoked in My Presence! Pray without tiring. I guide you.”

29th June 1988

Copyright © 2015 Bishop Cornelius K. Arap Korir, Catholic Diocese of Eldoret, Kenya. All rights reserved. Reproduced from ON THE EUCHARIST: A DIVINE APPEAL, Volume 1 by www.adivineappeal.com

HOLY MASS READINGS FOR JANUARY 18, 2025

Saturday, First week in Ordinary Time, Year I          (Green)

Optional Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary     (White)

LH: Office of the Day or Memorial, Week I

Mass and preface of the Day or Memorial

FIRST READING
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.”
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 4: 12-16)

Brethren: The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 

Psalm 19:8.9:10.15 (R. John 6:63c)

R/. Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.

The law of the Lord is perfect;
it revives the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are steadfast;
they give wisdom to the simple. R/.

The precepts of the Lord are right;
they gladder the heart.
The command of the Lord is clear;
it gives light to the eyes. R/.

The fear of the Lord is pure,
abiding forever.
The judgements of the Lord are true;
they are, all of them, just. R/.

May the spoken words of my mouth,
the thoughts of my heart,
win favour in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer! R/.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Luke 4:18

Alleluia. 

The Lord has sent me to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives. 

Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 2:13 - 17)

At that time: Jesus went out again beside the sea; and all the crowd gathered about him, and he taught them. And as he passed on, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as he sat at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were sitting with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with the tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

LIVING IN THE LIGHT OF THE RESURRECTION

Divine Appeal Reflection - 171

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 171: "I want you to know that happiness  is not only an object of care, for since I am risen to a life of glory, I die no more."

The foundation of our faith and our final victory over sin and death is the Resurrection of our Adorable Jesus. Through His magnificent Resurrection, Jesus invites us to partake in His supreme glory and guarantees His eternal reign. "I die no more," His profound assertion, serves as a reminder of the fullness and finality of His victory over death. As stated by St. Paul, if we are a part of His death, we will undoubtedly be a part of His resurrection (cf. Romans 6:5). This assurance gives us hope and fortifies our confidence as we look forward to the everlasting glory that our Adorable Jesus has planned for us. 

In this Divine Appeal, Jesus explains that true happiness lies in the eternal delight of being reunited with Him in heaven, not in transient earthly pleasures or wants. The eternal fulfillment of encountering God in person is incomparable to worldly joys, even though they may provide momentary happiness (cf. CCC 1024). According to the Catholic Catechism, heaven is the pinnacle of fulfilling humanity's greatest desire—perfect contact with God, where we can fully enjoy happiness and tranquility (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:12).

Through the Resurrection of our Adorable Jesus, we are invited to lift our hearts beyond the temporal and fix them on the immortal delights of heaven (cf. Colossians 3:1-2). This profound truth inspires us to seek first His kingdom and trust fully in His providence, even amidst the crosses and trials of earthly life (cf. Matthew 6:33). In the light of His Resurrection, true happiness becomes a call to holiness, surrender, and unwavering faith in the glory that awaits us in eternity (cf. Romans 8:18).

To fully embrace the joy of the Resurrection, we are called to live in its transformative light. This requires trusting in the providence of our Adorable Jesus, who assures us that even the darkest moments can lead to victory. It also involves seeking eternal treasure. Furthermore, walking in the newness of life, free of sin and living in God's favor, enables us to bear witness to the power of His Resurrection in a world desperate for hope (cf. Romans 6:4).

Our Adorable Jesus’ Resurrection is not only a historical event but a living reality that transforms our present and promises eternal joy. By focusing our gaze on Him and living in the hope of His eternal glory, we gain the strength to rise above worldly concerns and enjoy the lasting peace that only He can provide. Let us commit to following the Risen Christ, trusting in His words and His promises, as we strive to unite ourselves with Him in both this life and the life to come.

Prayer

Our Adorable Jesus, Risen Lord, we praise Your glorious triumph over sin and death. Grant us the grace to live in the light of Your Resurrection, seeking eternal treasures and trusting in Your providence. Help us walk in newness of life, united with You, now and forever

Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.

DIVINE APPEAL 171

ON THE EUCHARIST:A DIVINE APPEAL

(Revelation to Sr Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist)

VOLUME 1

“I do not want anyone to perish.”

“My daughter, pray a great deal. Do not be afraid and do not doubt. 

The evil one is ever roaming labouring hard against My salvation

and power. I know his malice. I call you to pray a great deal and 

give Me your company. I pour My tears of blood over mankind. 

Do not be saddened so much. In your prayers bring Me souls. 

Rejoice with Me. My daughter, I want you to know that happiness 

is not only an object of care, for since I am risen to a life of glory, 

I die no more.

It is My great love for mankind that keeps Me a prisoner in the

Sacrament of My Love. I have nothing more precious to Me like the

souls of mankind. I do not wish anyone to perish. This is why I bring

My warning from My Divine Mercy.

At the centre of My Church the demon is disposed to misleading

souls, capturing each one of them and driving them to perdition. In

this sacrilegious struggle, much of what has been created by man

will be demolished.Pray a great deal. Follow My directions.”

“I bless you.”

28th June 1988

Copyright © 2015 Bishop Cornelius K. Arap Korir, Catholic Diocese of Eldoret, Kenya. All rights reserved. Reproduced from ON THE EUCHARIST: A DIVINE APPEAL, Volume 1 by www.adivineappeal.com

HOLY MASS READINGS FOR JANUARY 17, 2025

Friday, Memorial of St. Antony, Abbot         (White)

LH: Office of the Memorial, Week I

Mass and preface of the Memorial

FIRST READING
“Let us therefore strive to enter that rest. ”
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 4:1-5, 11)

Brethren: While the promise of entering his rest remains, let us fear lest any of you be judged to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them; but the message which they heard did not benefit them, because it did not meet with faith in the hearers. For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall never enter my rest,”’ although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way, “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” And again in this place he said, “They shall never enter my rest.” Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 

Psalm 78:3 and 4bc.6c-7.8 (R. 7b)

R/. Never forget the deeds of the Lord!

The things we have heard and understood,
the things our fathers have told us,
but will tell them to the next generation:
the glories of the LORD and his might. R/.

They should arise and declare it to their children,
that they should set their hope in God,
and never forget God’s deeds,
but keep every one of his commands, R/.

So that they might not be like their fathers,
a defiant and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was fickle,
whose spirit was not faithful to God. R/.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Luke 7:16

Alleluia. 

A great prophet has risen among us, and God has visited his people. 

Alleluia.
-

GOSPEL
“The Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 2: 1- 12)

When Jesus returned to Capemaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like this? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they questioned like this within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question like this in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins”— he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

The Gospel of the Lord.

JESUS, A STRANGER TO HIS OWN

Divine Appeal Reflection - 170

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 170:  "To the souls consecrated to Me, I am like a passing stranger. I have nowhere to lay My Head."

How tragic it is that our Adorable Jesus, the Divine Bridegroom who pours Himself out in infinite love, should feel estranged from those consecrated to Him. This estrangement arises not from His withdrawal but from the coldness and distractions of hearts that have grown lukewarm (cf. Revelation 3:16). His lamentation, “I have nowhere to lay My Head,” reveals His deep yearning for hearts that will embrace Him with love and devotion. For those consecrated to Him, their calling is not merely a title or function but a total self-gift of heart, soul, mind, and strength—a vocation to mirror the unconditional love of Christ.

When our Adorable Jesus speaks of having “nowhere to lay My Head,” it signifies the profound sorrow of His Sacred Heart, longing for intimacy but finding only indifference. Souls consumed with worldly concerns, self-centeredness, or habitual routine without devotion fail to offer Him the welcome He deserves. His lament is a call to examine our lives, particularly for those in consecrated life, and to rediscover the beauty of love and fidelity to Him. To treat Him as a passing stranger is to rob ourselves of the joy and peace that come from a heart fully united to His.

Jesus desires to dwell within the human heart, making it His sanctuary of love. As He gently knocks on the doors of souls (cf. Revelation 3:20), He seeks refuge in hearts that are pure, humble, and zealous for His glory. Yet, even among the consecrated, how often is our Adorable Jesus treated as an outsider? Pride, attachments, and worldly distractions frequently diminish the intimacy that should define a life dedicated to Him. Each soul must strive to let go of these barriers and welcome Him fully, offering their hearts as a resting place for His love.

The example of the Blessed Virgin Mary serves as a powerful model for all who seek to offer Jesus a home. Her humility, purity, and unwavering "yes" to God made her heart a perfect dwelling place for our Adorable Jesus. By imitating Mary’s virtues, consecrated souls and the faithful alike can respond to His plea and ensure He is no longer treated as a stranger. Let us open our hearts to Him with fervor and devotion, making them places where He can rest and reign in love.

Prayer

Our Adorable Jesus, we seek forgiveness for treating You as a stranger. Make our hearts a true resting place for Your love and grace. Help us to welcome You with sincerity and humility, offering all that we are to You. Guide us to always walk in Your light.

Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.