Mary receives the body of Jesus St. Alphonsus describes St. Bridget’s vision of Mary’s petition to receive the body of her Son. The Mother of God herself revealed to St. Bridget: “When the spear was drawn out from Jesus’ side, the point appeared red with blood. Then, seeing the heart of my most dear Son pierced, it seemed to me as if my own heart was also pierced.” An angel told the same saint that “the sufferings of Mary were... Read more
Stephen J. Binz is a biblical scholar, award-winning author of over 40 books, psychotherapist, and popular speaker, offering keynotes, seminars, and workshops at national and regional conferences and churches. Following graduate degrees at the Gregorian University, the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, and Hebrew University in Jerusalem, he has developed Bible studies in the church for three decades and has offered numerous study trips and pilgrimages. His work is focused on biblical theology, Christian spirituality, and psycho-social issues of personal... Read more
Jesus gave you Mary as your mother As he was dying on the cross, Jesus gave Mary to John as his mother, and in doing so, he gave her to us all. St. Ignatius Loyola urges us to ponder carefully the circumstances surrounding this gift so that we can more fully appreciate it. Mary has been given you as a mother. Consider, then, in your heart all the circumstances of this gift. First, she was given to you by Jesus... Read more
“Behold your mother!” Because of Mary’s ardent desire to aid in our salvation, St. Alphonsus declares, Jesus made her on Calvary the mother of our souls. Our most loving mother Mary was always, and in all things, united to the will of God. “And for this reason,” says St. Bonaventure, “when she saw the love of the Eternal Father toward men to be so great that, in order to save them, he willed the death of his Son; and, on... Read more
This week Ave Maria Press sponsors the CBB giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a copy of Transformed by God’s Word: Discovering the Power of Lectio and Vision Divina by Stephen Binz (you can read the review here) . I use Rafflecopter to run my giveaways which makes it simple for you and me! Enter below. The contest starts at midnight tonight EST and will end 12AM EST Friday 04/01 with a winner being announced later that day. Good Luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway Read more
Jesus suffered most to see his mother’s grief Mary’s grief beside the Cross was like a living death, insists St. Alphonsus; and her Son’s greatest sufferings came from watching her sorrow. The afflicted mother saw her Jesus suffering on every side. She desired to comfort him, but could not. And what grieved her the most was to see that she herself, by her presence and sorrow, increased the sufferings of her Son. “The grief that filled Mary’s heart,” says St.... Read more
Stephen Binz brings to readers an interesting new twist to contemplative Scripture study. Transformed by God’s Word: Discovering the Power of Lectio and Visio Divina takes the Western practice of lectio divina the Eastern Orthodox use of iconography. This combination provides an amazingly complete method of scripture study in a book that will become a valuable resource for a long time. The book begins with an introduction that explains the history and what each method consists of. Lectio Divina is the... Read more
Mary could grant no relief to her Son Mothers are anxious to provide for the relief of their children when they suffer. So imagine Mary’s grief, St. Alphonsus says, when she was unable to relieve her Son’s suffering on the Cross. Mothers ordinarily shrink from the presence of their dying children. But when a mother is obliged to witness such a scene, she procures all possible relief for her child. She arranges his bed, so that he may be more... Read more
At the foot of the Cross In this poignant lament, St. Anselm grieves with Our Lady as she stands at the foot of the Cross. My most merciful Lady, how can I speak of the fountains of tears that flowed from your most pure eyes when you beheld before you your only Son, bound, beaten, and wounded? What do I know of the flood that flowed over your face, unlike any other, when you beheld your Son, your Lord, and... Read more
Mary draws near to Jesus on the Cross Think of the good reasons, St. Alphonsus urges, why Mary could have chosen not to be present for her Son’s crucifixion. Yet she was there, enduring the out- rage, shame, and horror, because of her surpassing love for her Son. We must now witness a new kind of martyrdom: a mother condemned to see an innocent Son, and one whom she loves with the whole affection of her soul, cruelly tormented and... Read more
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