Courage isn't a feeling but a virtue. It is what a person does in spite of fear or anguish. It often comes from Love. Like a mother fighting for her children instead of running away. Jesus is Courage.
Of course. Maybe I should have used a different word, like "the consolation of feeling brave" or something like that. Hopefully you understand the meaning of what I was trying to say. Anyway it wasn't my own original thought. I was trying to explain what St. Therese said. It is a mystery and a paradox, the perfect infinite God being man "in all things but sin." He felt and suffered our frailty, even though He was Strength itself. And in order to suffer the most He possibly could, He submitted to an utter lack of consolation from the Father--something that the martyrs would perhaps not have been able to accomplish their martyrdoms without. Maybe that explains what I'm trying to say better?
I woke up this morning thinking very much of the Flight of the Holy Family into Egypt for it reminds me so very much of our own situation as families and as individuals in the World. Joseph was suddenly told in a dream that they must flee that Herod desired the death of the bay Jesus. It is so striking how quickly and at once did as they were told right there and then in the middle of the night. They did as they were told. They did the Will of God. This after a child birth and all the hard ship of the Journey to Bethlehem. What must they have felt? Their whole concern must have been for the baby Jesus. One thing strikes me is where on Earth did the money come from to do all this? Also the trouble did not end in the journey but settling in a strange country and all the problems that entailed. Mind blowing. It is such a lesson for we who will be making our own journeys this New Year. We journey on into the night towards some new country of change and difficulties. May we , like Saint Joseph rise at once to do the will of God. When I was young I used to study different religions especially those of Buddhism. If you look at statues of Buddha he always has a smiling face. He is portrayed as someone who has attained Enlightenment and has risen above the illusion of suffering and all the illusions that the world puts forth. But for we Christians the centre is not to say that suffering is illusional but the very ladder that raises us up. St Paul tells us that Jesus was a man like us in all things but sin. He is not a kind of superman as I think Budhha is presented. But there can be a temptation to regard Him and the saints as being like that. Jesus said regarding these days of trial that we should pray that these events not take place in the winter. Such a kind and thoughtful thing to say. God cares for us and wants out best. But He never said we would not suffer. We will all of us have to pick up our Cross and follow Him. The great consolation at the moment is that the great Cross we face we raise us up to great sanctity.
It’s quite possible. Trump this week has sent planes to Germany. This is an interesting video that mentions Malachi Martin’s knowledge of what Lucia said about Russia. Also, an interesting analysis of what the number 9-11 could mean.
I have wondered about Jesus suffering and his "fear" that led to his sweating blood. Perhaps because He was fully human it was thoughts of brutal physical sufferings- St. Brigid visions said he was struck 5480 times during His Passion. But I really think is greatest anguish was as St. Paul writes in Corinthians, " He became sin who knew no sin". I dont know the theological correctness but in my mind it was after Judas betrayed Him that He took on our sins. And sin separates us from God. So my limited brain tells me that His anguish was that eventhough He was always God Himself Jesus was somehow separated from this God because of us/ its why He came. He loved each of us so much that He would endure for that short time the incredible pain of separation. Its mind boggling to me that God/Creator would do this for His creatures. Its such immense Love. Maybe this is what saints and martyrs understand. And to know regardless of any suffering on earth , we will experience this perfect love again in Heaven. I think they knew their mission- get to Heaven.
The US European Command, headquartered in Germany, confirmed today the seizure of the oil vessel Marinera. https://metro.co.uk/2026/01/07/us-f...an-flagged-tanker-marinera-atlantic-26130727/
Much of His suffering in the garden, I believe, was also due to the terrible knowledge of the many people who would still reject Him, even after all of His suffering. Unrequited Love. Another reminder of why we mustn't waste one moment not helping save souls. Every soul we bring back to Christ relieves some of His suffering.
Some Reza Pahlavi enthusiasts have been sharing the nationalist slogan #MIGA — “Make Iran Great Again”, clearly inspired by the motto that brought Trump to power in the United States twice. I believe that if a regime change occurs, it will be the geopolitical event of the decade in the Middle East. https://x.com/i/status/2008770604015776166
Exactly...unrequited love. How painful to be shown all of those who would never return His great love.
From St. Faustina's Diary- The Divine Mercy Novena: The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy Novena Ninth Day: Today bring to Me SOULS WHO HAVE BECOME LUKEWARM,* and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy.
One thing I was thinking about is that Trump only risked a crisis in the Strait of Hormuz because he already had two cards up his sleeve, linking the oil fields of Alaska to those of Venezuela. So the attack on Venezuela was the opening move on the chessboard that would allow the attack on Iran to occur. In a way, the prophecy of Maria Esperanza could be extraordinarily precise about the present moment.
I concur - Trump also mentioned dealing with the Cuba problem after Iran so it seems to be a grand plan to control the western hemisphere.
