Heartbeat of the Month – April
After a Lent in which we have strengthened our spirit alongside the Desert Fathers, the moment of trial has arrived.
Holy Week is the moment of truth, the time when temptations will arise.
The temptation to give up and abandon the mission God has entrusted to us.
The temptation to use violence against those who hate us.
The temptation to deny and abandon Christ.
The temptation not to remain with Him on the Cross.
The temptation to step down from the crosses the Lord has entrusted to us in our lives.
The temptation not to turn to the Mother so that she may welcome and forgive us.
And also the temptation to lose faith and think that there will be no Resurrection.
These seven temptations are the very same ones we face today in the face of the Church’s Passion and Death, and the response we must give to these temptations is contained in the seven words Jesus spoke on the Cross. Reflect on them over the coming days and find in them the strength and faith to know how to act in these times of confusion.
The Virgin Mary at the foot of the Cross
The best way to experience Holy Week is to do so hand in hand with Our Mother. Let us ask her for the grace to see Christ through her eyes and to love Him with her heart.
The Sorrowful Mother stood weeping by the Cross, whilst her Son hung there.
A sword pierced her soul, which was groaning, sorrowful and in pain.
Oh, how sad and sorrowful that blessed Mother of the Only-Begotten must have been!
The compassionate Mother, witnessing the sufferings of her beloved Son, was overcome with grief and sorrow.
What man would not weep if he saw the Mother of Christ suffering such torment?
Who would not be moved to sadness at the sight of the Mother gazing upon her sorrowful Son?
Because of the sins of her people, she saw Jesus suffering and bowed down by the lashes.
She saw her sweet Son dying in despair as he gave up his spirit.
Oh, Mother, source of love, let me feel your pain; I want to weep with you.
Let my heart burn with love for my God and with the desire to do his will.
Holy Mother, I pray that you may pierce my heart with the wounds of the Crucified One.
Share with me the sufferings of your sorely wounded Son, who endured so much for my sake.
Let me weep with you and mourn your Son for as long as I live.
To stand by the Cross with you and join you in your weeping is my wish.
O most glorious Virgin of Virgins, do not grieve with me any longer; let me weep with you.
Make me weep for Christ’s death, make me a partner in his passion, let me bear his wounds.
Let me be wounded by his wounds, let me be intoxicated by the Cross, and by the Blood of your Son.
Lest I be consumed by the flames, defend me, O Holy Virgin, on the Day of Judgement.
When, O Christ, I must depart, grant that your Mother may guide me to the palm of victory.
When my body has died, grant that my soul may be granted the glory of Paradise.
Amen
The thorns of March
At this time of year, as we commemorate the Passion and Death of Our Lord, let us bear in mind each of the wounds inflicted upon His Mystical Body, the Catholic Church, particularly by His bishops and priests, and let us ask Him for forgiveness.
By those who attribute their heresies and doctrinal errors to the Holy Spirit. Forgive us, Lord, forgive us.
By those who desecrate the House of God with worldly amusements. Forgive us, Lord, forgive us.
For those who engage in acts of idolatry and lead others astray by their bad example. Forgive us, Lord, forgive us.
By those who seek to divert religious people from the true meaning of their vocation. Forgive us, Lord, forgive us.
For those whose inaction and silence allow mistakes to persist over time. Forgive us, Lord, forgive us.
For those who promote an ecumenism that does not seek the conversion to Christ of those who have separated themselves from Him. Forgive us, Lord, forgive us.
The purpose of April
Experience the joy of the Resurrection together with the Virgin Mary,
praying the Regina Coeli
