Beads of Joy Blog II (2025)

  The Deadly Peril of the Lukewarm Soul A lukewarm soul exists in a state of spiritual gangrene – not yet dead but actively decaying. This tepidity manifests as a faith that maintains external appearances while internally rotting. Like a corpse painted to look alive, the lukewarm Catholic performs religious duties without the vivifying breath of genuine devotion. Consider their prayers: mumbled without preparation, interrupted by worldly thoughts, treated as burdensome obligations rather than divine conversation. Their Mass attendance becomes mere routine, their minds wandering to business deals and household tasks while the infinite sacrifice of Christ unfolds before them. As St. John Vianney describes, they move "like a tortoise or a snail," dragging themselves through religious duties with neither love nor reverence. Their confessions reveal the horror of their condition. Year after year, they recite the same sins without true contrition or effort to reform. They seek the ...

  Exploring the Parable of the Growing Seed A Reflection on Mark 4:26-34 The parables of the Growing Seed and the Mustard Seed come at a pivotal moment in Mark's fourth chapter, where Jesus has been teaching extensively about the nature of God's kingdom. After sharing the Parable of the Sower and explaining its deep meaning to his disciples, Jesus continued using agricultural metaphors that would have resonated deeply with those he spoke to. These images of seeds, soil, and growth connect to the daily experiences of those gathered around him, yet contain profound spiritual truths about how God's kingdom takes root and flourishes in our world. In the Parable of the Growing Seed, we encounter a wonderful mystery - the farmer scatters the seed and then simply goes about their life, sleeping and rising while the seed grows "he knows not how." This beautiful image reminds us that while we participate in God's work through our faithful actions, the true power of gro...

Humility and Selfless Service Taking a deep look at Philippians 2:3 In a world driven by self-promotion and personal gain, and a "me first" attitude, Philippians 2:3 offers a radical counterpoint. Paul challenges us to completely invert our natural inclinations - to consciously place others' needs and worth above our own. Completely counterintuitive to today's society. This isn't just about surface-level politeness or occasional acts of service. The verse calls for a fundamental rewiring of how we view ourselves concerning others. True humility means seeing the divine worth in every person we encounter while remaining clear-eyed about our own limitations and ego-driven motivations. "Selfish ambition and vain conceit" manifest in subtle ways - the internal scorekeeping, the carefully curated social media presence, and the pursuit of recognition. "How many people Like me." By contrast, valuing others above ourselves requires intentional self-empt...

God Sees All A Reflection on Mark 4:21-25 Mark 4:21-25 uses the metaphor of a lamp to convey deep truths about spiritual accountability. The passage asks rhetorically if anyone would put a lamp under a basket, making the point that light (truth) is meant to be revealed, not hidden. The key message is that all our thoughts, actions, and intentions will eventually come to light. When Jesus says "For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open," he's teaching that God has complete knowledge of our lives - both public and private. We all know that voice inside of us, the one no one hears when we are in situations and when we make decisions, especially those not-so-good ones. God hears all of the conversations we have with ourselves. The scripture warning about measuring standards ("With the measure you use, it will be measured to you") reinforces this theme of accountability. It suggests that how we...

Experience Peace and Grace at: The National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima 1023 Swann Rd, Youngstown, NY 14174     (716) 754-7489 www.fatimashrine.com/ Breathtakingly Beautiful Aerial Picture. I invite you to visit us at this magnificent sanctuary in Lewiston, New York, where faith and serenity meet in breathtaking splendor. Our 15-acre spiritual oasis features: Sorrowful Jesus A majestic Basilica crowned by a beautiful 13-foot statue of Our Lady of Fatima, it's 63 steps to the top, giving you a breathtaking view of our grounds. Our Lady of Fatima on top of the Basilica Holy Family Immaculate Conception Shrine Over 130 life-sized statues of the Saints. 🙏 Rosary Pond There is also a Giant Rosary Pool with a fountain in the middle. Every bead lights up, it is absolutely magnificent to see. Currently, we are revitalizing its appearance. Three intimate chapels for prayer and reflection, including the historic Little Chapel of Fatima, a replica of the one in Portugal. Blessed S...

Cultivating the Soul Deep Wisdom from the Parable of the Sower A Reflection on Mark 4:1-20 What a fascinating passage to explore! The Parable of the Sower is one of those brilliantly multifaceted teachings that reveals new layers of meaning each time we examine it. Think about how revolutionary this teaching approach was in its time - Jesus wasn't just telling a story about farming (something everyone in his audience would have instantly understood), he was using it as a mirror to help people understand their own spiritual journey. It's like he's saying "Let me show you something familiar to help you grasp something profound." The power of this parable lies in its ability to capture the full spectrum of human spiritual experience. When Jesus describes the different types of soil, he's really mapping out the landscape of the human heart. Consider how the paths, rocky ground, thorny soil, and good earth aren't just agricultural conditions—they're perfect...

  The Scriptural Sorrowful Mysteries  (Tuesday & Friday) Followed by a Reflection of The Sorrowful Mysteries The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary  Opening Prayers Sign of the Cross: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." Apostles' Creed: "I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen." Our Father: "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy nam...

  Jesus Expands the Circle A Divine Family Reunion A Reflection on Mark 3:31-35 In this profound moment, Jesus doesn't diminish the importance of his biological family but beautifully enlarges the understanding of familial love and connection. When his mother and brothers arrive, seeking to speak with him, Jesus doesn't push them away or reject them. Instead, he uses this moment to make a revolutionary statement about spiritual kinship. By declaring, "Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother," Jesus is not displacing his mother Mary or his family, but rather including them in a broader, more inclusive understanding of family. In fact, throughout the Gospels, Jesus shows deep respect for his mother. At the cross, he ensures her care by entrusting her to John. His actions here are not about exclusion, but about expansion. This passage invites us to see family in a transformative way. It suggests that our spiritual connections can be just as profo...

The Scriptural Joyful Mysteries (Monday & Saturday) Followed by a Reflection of The Joyful Mysteries Opening Prayers Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The Apostles' Creed: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. Our Father... For Faith: Hail Mary... For Hope: Hail Mary... For Charity: Hail Mary... Glory Be... O My Jesus... 1st Joyful Mystery: The Annun...

Unmasking Spiritual Warfare A Reflection on Mark 3:22-30 The passage in Mark 3:22-30 presents a pivotal confrontation between Jesus and the religious scribes, revealing profound insights into the nature of spiritual power and divine mission. The scribes, threatened by Jesus' miraculous works, attempt to discredit him by alleging that his power derives from Beelzebul, the prince of demons, rather than acknowledging the divine source of his authority. This accusation represents a strategic effort to undermine Christ's ministry and delegitimize his transformative work among the people. Jesus responds with characteristic wisdom, employing a logical refutation that exposes the fundamental irrationality of the scribes' argument. By demonstrating the inherent contradiction in their claim—that Satan would work against himself by casting out demons—Christ reveals the spiritual bankruptcy of their reasoning. His rhetorical counterargument suggests that a kingdom divided against itsel...