Get out your map … Wednesday, May 22

Galilee, Israel.

A Rosary Meditation … The First Glorious Mystery, the Resurrection. “And behold, He goes before you into Galilee; there you shall see Him.” Matthew 28:7. Over the years, given the various jobs I’ve held, the bosses that I liked the most were the ones that didn’t mind getting their hands dirty, the ones that would never ask you to do something that they wouldn’t do themselves. You don’t mind following someone like that. And in Christianity Jesus leads the way, doesn’t He? “Christian”, strictly speaking, means a person who follows Christ. “Catholic”, meaning “universal”, indicates that the opportunity to follow Jesus is open to all, Jew, Samaritan, Greek, Gentiles in general, the good and the bad. Especially the bad because they need Him the most. During His earthly life how many prostitutes and thieves followed Him? The people I see in Church, the ex-drunks, the ones that lived loose and so-called free, the ones that had an abortion, the ones that were atheistic and actively, openly against fought the Church, these are the ones who need Him most. And mostly they’re the ones I like the best. The ones, thankfully the few, who don’t mind letting you know that butter wouldn’t melt in their mouth now and never has, well, I worry about them. “Jesus hearing this, saith to them: They that are well have no need of a physician, but they that are sick. For I came not to call the just, but sinners.” Mark 2:17. And Jesus leads the way. “For we have not a high priest who cannot have compassion on our infirmities: but one tempted in all things like as we are, without sin.” Hebrews 4:15. And what is the result of our following Jesus? Whether He leads us to Galilee or a martyr’s death or the voting booth? “Dearly beloved, we are now the sons of God; and it hath not yet appeared what we shall be. We know, that, when he shall appear, we shall be like to him: because we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2. And this is what makes the trip worth while.

Today …

St. Bobo

 

 

St. Bobo was a Crusader and hermit, also called Beuvon. Bobo was a knight of Provence, France, who fought against the invading Saracens and then became a hermit. He died at Pavia, in Lombardy, Italy, while on a pilgrimage to Rome. This guy made a lot of trips following after Jesus. As a knight who knows where he went. Rescue maidens from dragons? Probably not, but I’m sure there was adventure. As a Crusader there was no doubt a lot of traveling, a great deal of following. And as a hermit?  He probably traveled further as a hermit than he did as a knight or Crusader put together. I’ll let you think about that one. When we get weary of the trip, and weariness happens, Bobo might be a good one to turn to for prayer help. Like Jesus, the One he followed, he knows what this trip is like.

Think … “Truth is not determined by a majority vote.”―Pope Benedict XVI.

One Hour … Tuesday, May 21

An hour before God, either in Church or, if we can’t be there, where we are, is of more worth than days or even years of physical activity.

A Rosary Meditation … The First Sorrowful Mystery, the Agony in the Garden. “Then He came to His disciples and found them sleeping. And he said, ‘Could you not, then, watch one hour with me?’ ” Matthew 26:40. I told my priest this weekend, “If you see me nodding in Mass, it doesn’t always mean I agree with you.” We all do it, we’re human. Jesus understood this. “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41. So, does this mean we stop trying? Of course not. But it does mean that we need to understand ourselves, our tendencies and our limitations. These things aren’t meant to be used as excuses. “I’m only human” is true, but it ought not be used as an escape mechanism. There is merit in trying just as there is merit in achieving. There is no merit in making an excuse or in giving up. Holy Hours can be wonderful things. Simply to spend an hour in front of the Tabernacle (awake) is an act of love if our heart is right. Is our heart right? A simple way to know the answer to this question is to honestly answer another: What are my motives? And a Holy Hour needn’t be spent in Church. We can’t always do that and God knows this. We are, after all, only human. But it can be spent with our Bible in our laps and with the television off. The computer can be off too. And if we fall asleep, what then? Simple. We keep trying.

Today …

St. Zeno

St. Zeno

Zeno was born in Africa. He received an excellent classical education and in 362, was named bishop of Verona, Italy. He was active in missionary work, converted many, and fought Arianism. He built a basilica at Verona, founded a convent that he directed, encouraged charities in his people, and wrote widely on ecclesiastical subjects, particularly the virgin birth of Christ, in which are revealed many of the customs and practices of the times. He died in 371. To get all of this done took time, lots of time. Do you think he would’ve gotten ANY of it done if he hadn’t prayed? Before we take time for anything else we should take time for prayer. Without prayer, and lots of it, nothing ever gets accomplished. Putting time and energy into projects, even very good projects, is a waste of time if we don’t pray. If the project is so time consuming that it leaves no time for prayer? Well, we probably ought to pray about that.

Prayer …   “A Holy Hour of adoration testifies to the fact that the Jesus who died on the cross, is present in the Eucharist, and reigns in Heaven, are identical.” (Venerable Pope Pius XII)

Questioning God … Monday, May 20

A Rosary Meditation … The First Joyful Mystery, the Annunciation. “But Mary said to the angel, ‘How shall this happen, since I do not know man?’ ” Luke 1:34. Most folks don’t seem to realize it but this verse proves the perpetual virginity of Mary. Consider. She was engaged. If she hadn’t planned on remaining a virgin her statement would have been nonsensical because after her marriage she would “know man”. That’s simple enough. And as far as how this pregnancy was going to happen, if she hadn’t vowed perpetual virginity, it would have seemed obvious that if she was going to be the Messiah’s mother then Joseph was going to be His father. But she knew she was, and was going to remain, a virgin. Hence the question. And the angel explained it. An honest question, one that needed an answer, received an answer. Often we think it improper to question God, and in certain ways, when the question revolves around things like pride and self-will, it is. But when there is an honest and sincere desire, even need, to know we have Mary as our example. If we don’t ask these questions how will we ever learn or grow? Not asking the appropriate questions at the right time can actually hamper our development as Christians. And what loving parent would want their child stunted just because they didn’t ask a question? If its sincere and honest, never mind if we think it might be silly, ask. What was it Jesus said? “Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7.

Today …

St. Anastasius XIII

Bishop of Brescia, Lombardy Italy. Anastasius converted the Lombards from the heresy of Arianism. His relics were solemnly translated by St. Charles Borromeo in 1581. Hmm. Have you ever wondered what its like to be a bishop? Lots of folks needing help, needing answers. In combating Arianism, which split the Church and, had she been a human institution would surely have destroyed her, do you think Anastasius asked or answered questions? Sure he did, he had to. Now, Who do you think he went to for his answers?

Questions … While we are told to avoid foolish questions (see 2 Timothy 2:23) we are not told to avoid questions in general. A loving parent wants their child to be learned and wise. Questions lend themselves to these. And God? God is love.

Pentecost … Sunday, May 19

The Chapel of the Holy Spirit, the Roman Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady, Walsingham, Norfolk, England. The Chapel was built in 1938. On the wall is a mosaic by A. Wyner depicting the event of Pentecost.

John 14:15-16, 23b-26

Jesus said to his disciples: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always.“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Those who do not love me do not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.“I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”

     Pretty simple way to know whether or not God dwells with us or in us, isn’t it? Do we keep His word? ALL of it? ALL of it being the Bible AND Sacred Tradition AND the Pope’s authority AND the Magisterium’s authority. Another way of saying the same thing: Are we obedient to the will of God? If so then we belong to Him. If not then we belong to ourselves. It’s the difference between His will and self-will.

     Pentecost. A turning point, God calling out to us through His earthly mouth piece the Church, asking us to choose this day who we will serve. God? Or the “gods” of this world. What or who are the gods of this world? Anything and everything or anyone that we follow after first, putting the One True God second if we allow Him a place at all.

     Now, after Pentecost, we have a “bonus”. Its one thing to be called, it’s another to be taught and then reminded. “The Holy Spirit … will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” God covers all the bases, doesn’t He? His covering all the bases should give us confidence. It should also bring to our realization that because He does this we are without excuse. He’s taken care of His part, God treats His creation responsibly. How we respond is a matter of our free will and our choices.

     Knowing that God loves us enough to set everything in place that is necessary for our well-being, spiritually and physically and emotionally, makes today a celebration. Pentecost is a time for joy, time for a joyful knowing that God loves us and cares for us. Totally. There is no fine print, this contract does not expire, the warranty doesn’t run out. Pentecost is a time for joy, time for a joyful acceptance of God’s love and His will for us, understanding that there is nothing better. Having found this Pentecostal truth we have all there is. We have Him.

     Nearly 2,000 years ago the first Pentecost was a time of great activity, and also confusion for some. Now its settled in. That doesn’t make it weaker or stale. What the settling in process does do is to add the strength and confidence of 2,000 years worth of experience and proof. The activity is still there and so is the confusion for some. But the experience and the confidence of those 2,000 years lends itself to something else now. Because of these things we can rest in Pentecost.

     Psalm 97:11-12 …

“11 Light is risen to the just, and joy to the right of heart.12 Rejoice, ye just, in the Lord: and give praise to the remembrance of his holiness.” …
Now … Lets Celebrate Pentecost, and especially the One Who brings it.

Jesus, King of Kings … Mary, Queen of queens … Saturday, May 18

Crowned Madonna Della Strada in the Church of the Gesu in Rome.

A Rosary Meditation … The Fifth Glorious Mystery, the Coronation. “He who finds me finds life, and wins favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 8:35. Think about it. Mary spent her entire earthly life with Jesus. She now spends eternity with Him. As mother of the King of kings she is the reigning Queen Mother and this will never change. If you find her what is it that you find? Who is it that she has pent and is spending her life with? When you’re in the presence of the Queen Mother you are reminded of nothing other than the King. “He who finds me finds life.” The King of kings? He IS the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The above verse from Proverbs is a reference to wisdom. And of all creatures who is wiser than one who would spend all of their existence with God? One who would spend all of their self for God? And of all living creatures who does this honestly and to the fullest? Mary. In honoring her, and the mother of any king is surely due honor, we are honoring Him. And we win favor from the Lord.

Today …

St. Eric IX of Sweden

St. Eric IX of Sweden

King of Sweden from 1150, Eric did much to aid Christianity in his realm and was responsible for codifying the laws of his kingdom, which became known as King Eric’s Law (also the code of Upland). He led a victorious expedition against the marauding Finns and persuaded English bishop Henry of Uppsala to remain in Finland to evangelize the Finns. Eric was killed and beheaded near Uppsala by rebelling Swedish nobles in the army of Magnus, son of the King of Denmark, who had invaded his territory, on May 18. Though never formally canonized, Eric was long considered the Patron of Sweden. His feast day is May 18th.Now, do you think people were respectful towards his mother? If they needed something from King Eric do you think they might have asked his mom to intercede? And do we think a Heavenly Queen should be treated any differently, or that she has no ties to her Son, that He wouldn’t listen to her? As a loving mother do we think she won’t listen to us?

The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth …

The young Eugenio Pacelli (later Pope Pius XII) had to walk past the Church of the Gesu in Rome on his way to school every day. He would spend hours there in the small chapel of the Madonna Della Strada, sometimes missing lunch. His mother asked: “What are you doing in the chapel all the time?” He responded: “I pray and tell Mary everything”. As a pope, he defined the dogma of the Assumption and consecrated the world to Mary.

God given gifts …

 

 

I’ve always considered that everything on Earth, if used properly, is a good and positive thing. And it is that way because God made it so. He put all the wonders of creation together in just a certain way so that we could live comfortably. Learning the process? It’s a life long endeavor. With these thoughts in mind I share the following …

 

A little over a year ago, about fourteen months or so ago, I fell. It wasn’t a hard fall, I caught myself going down, but I twisted my left knee in the process. I must have torn something. The pain was rather intense and I wasn’t able to stand and put weight on that leg without the knee starting to hurt. Thankfully, probably because the weight continually shifted, I had no problem walking. But when I stood still I had to stand with all my weight on my right leg. If I stood that way for very long my right leg would lock up making walking very difficult until I worked it out.

 

I went to the chiropractor first as I’ve always gotten good results with chiropractic. It didn’t help. I went to my M.D. and he gave me a shot of cortisone. That helped for a short while and then just went away. I was right back where I started from in just a few short weeks. So for something like thirteen months I’ve not been able to put weight on that leg while standing. I also had to sleep in a certain way so that it wouldn’t hurt while I was in a prone position. And that didn’t always work. There have been a lot of nights that the knee burned painfully all night long.

 

A couple of weeks ago I tried something new. I went to an acupuncturist. After having sat there with needles stuck all over me for an hour, and surprisingly it was very relaxing and not the least bit uncomfortable (I slept most of the hour), when I got up I could put weight on my left leg without pain! I almost had to learn how to stand normally all over again. Now there was still pain but it wasn’t related to standing with weight on the knee. Now the knee just hurt, and not nearly as bad as before. I’ve been back twice now and each time it gets a little better.

 

Well, all of this got me to thinking about alternative health care treatments. So I went on-line and started reading up on things. One thing that I seemed drawn to (pun intended) was Magnet Therapy. According to the medical establishment it’s totally bogus with no positive or negative effects. Just plain bogus. But the more I read the more I saw certain patterns and all the patterns were good. So I figure if I buy a few magnets and give it a try what do I stand to lose? A few bucks, period, because for all intents and purposes there are no bad side effects to Magnet Therapy. I decided that I’d try it. At about two this afternoon I taped four magnets across the front of my left knee. Now before I go further I have to tell you that everything I read, pro and con, said NOT to use magnets if a person had a pacemaker, an insulin pump, or some other such electrical medical device because the magnets might well do a number on things like these. Pregnant women aren’t supposed to use them either. They also need to be kept away from credit cards, computers, cell phones and the like. One warning I read defined “away from” as being a distance of at least four inches. OK, having said that, I put four magnets across the front of my knee and to either side, equal distances apart. And now? ALL the pain is gone. I have one small spot that feels “bruised” and it comes and goes.

 

Placebo effect? Maybe. But if I spent about $15 on a placebo effect and don’t hurt anymore? I’ll go buy another set of magnets.

 

Pull back the curtain and let the Son shine in … Friday, May 17

The Holy of Holies. The curtain has been taken out of the way.

A Rosary Meditation … The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery, the Crucifixion. “And the sun was darkened, and the earth quaked, and the curtain of the temple was torn in two.” Luke 23:45, Matthew 27:51. It took all of this, the agony of Christ, to tear that curtain in two. Tearing the curtain in two made the Holy of Holies assessable. There was no longer a barrier between God and man. The sacrifice of Jesus takes this away. Now we have access to the Holy of Holies, we can come to God with no veil in between. Think of the Eucharistic Presence. We can go to Him because He comes to us. Even creation reacted with an awe that made the sun hide its face and the ground tremble. Nothing like this had ever happened before and would never happen again. When we compare the various Gospel accounts we see that the rocks split and some of the saints of old came out of their graves and walked the streets of Jerusalem. The stoney material that sin has made of our hearts can be broken away, and we can walk away free, alive, and with Christ Jesus. It didn’t look that way then (looks can be deceiving) but its our reality now.

Today … St. Restituta

“I am the Virgin Martyr. I suffered in the persecutions of Valerianus. My birth was at Ponizara, Africa. I was tortured in Carthage by fire. Almost like the later Vikings funerals, I was tied to a board, which was loaded with incendiaries, and accelerants. The vessel was set afire. The grace of God allowed me to drift to the coast of what was later to become Italy with my remains. I died a martyr in 255 at Carthage.”

Quote … “What the soul is in the body, let Christians be in the world.” ~ St. John Chrysostom ~

MAKE NOISE! … Thursday, May 16

Noise, noise, and more noise.

A Rosary Meditation … The Fifth Joyful Mystery, the Finding in the Temple. “Son, why hast thou done so to us? Behold, in sorrow thy father and I have been seeking thee.” Luke 2:48. Sound familiar? A modern version of the same thing might go like this: “Boy, why would you treat us this way? We’ve been scared to death and looking all over the place for you!” Obviously Mary and Joseph were normal parents. Well, they were both far above normal, but you know what I mean. If you’re a parent I’m sure you can identify. Parenting hasn’t changed that much in 2,000 years. But for now, instead of the joys and heartaches of raising children, let’s think about that last part. The part about seeking Jesus in sorrow. There are a lot of people in the world needing Jesus. They suffer from all sorts of things. Depression, mental illness, addictions, various diseases of the body, vices (which are diseases of the soul), and more. So in sorrow they look for relief, and looking in the wrong places brings about, not the much sought after relief, but more grief. On the day Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the Temple its a pretty good bet that the Temple was a busy place. It probably stayed that way. At the heart of the Temple was a room that the Jews called Kodesh Kodashim. The Holy of Holies. It contained the Ark of the Covenant and God’s Glory rested there. Think about all those people going and coming at the Temple. They were a witness to the presence of God just by being there. People were looking, needing God back then too. If anyone, a seeking anyone, paid attention they would’ve known that they could find God there. Today spiritual Israel goes to the Temple also. A Temple not made by hands. God’s presence rests in the Holy of Holies still, in the Tabernacle. If seeking, hurting people pay attention they’ll know where to find Him. But you know, lots of times people hurt so bad it blurs their eyesight. Tears can do that. And they can be looking sincerely but get so caught up in the search that they miss finding what, Who, they’re looking for. Not being able to see the forest for the trees works like that. So what’s to do? Well, when the Jews went to the Temple they took lambs, bulls, goats, birds, along with flour, oil and other things for worship purposes. “Hey! Mister! A bag of flour fell off your mule!” “Lady! Your goat ate through the rope and went over there!” “Jeremiah! Jeremiah, where are you?!” And moo, and baah, and tweet and noise, noise, noise! You couldn’t miss it. To help people not miss it today maybe we need to try making noise too. Blog, vote, witness, donate, support, MAKE NOISE! Attract attention. If we do it right seeking people won’t notice us so much as they will Him. And then maybe they’ll find Who they’re looking for.

Today …

St. Adam

 

St. Adam

Hermit and abbot, a native of Fermo, Italy, where he began a severe life of recollection in a cave on the slopes of Mount Vissiano. Attracting many followers, Adam was invited to join the Benedictine Order and entered San Sabine Monastery. Within the monastery he maintained his prayer life and rigorous self-discipline. His example led to his election as abbot. All this took place a little over 800 years ago and people still hear about it. Hey, you’re reading about it right now. And his example did more than lead to his being abbot. He made NOISE!

Pope Benedict XVI said … “In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host. Be assiduous in the prayer of adoration and teach it to the faithful. It is a source of comfort and light, particularly to those who are suffering.” You see, even in silent prayer we can make a spiritual noise heard by the suffering around the world.

 

“Mirror, mirror on the wall … ” … Wednesday, May 15

The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed with the Sun (Rev. 12 1-4) – by William Blake.

A Rosary Meditation … The Fourth Glorious Mystery, the Assumption. “And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun.” Revelation 12:1. Here is Mary, and she “appears” in Heaven. If you make an appearance in one place you were obviously someplace else before the appearance. And this verse is a not-so-veiled reference to the Assumption. This verse also describes her. “A woman clothed with the sun.” Consider: “And the city hath no need of the sun, nor of the moon, to shine in it. For the glory of God hath enlightened it, and the Lamb is the lamp thereof .” Revelation 21:23. There is no “sun” as such in Heaven. All light comes from Christ. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:1. If anyone was ever totally wrapped up in this Light it was Mary. Like Mother like Son. Now the question is: What are we all wrapped up in? The world and the goings on around us? It’s easy to get all wrapped up in such things, isn’t it? But there’s another question that if asked and answered honestly tells us what we’re all wrapped up in. And that question is: Whose child are you? Remember, like mother like son. And that pertains directly to us. You can tell what a person is all wrapped up in by simple observation. That’s not being judgmental, it’s just keeping our eyes open. “Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.” Matthew 7:20. Now, with our eyes open, all we need to do is go look in a mirror. “Mirror, mirror on the wall … “

Today …  St. Dymphna

St. Dymphna, my Patroness.

     Dymphna was fourteen when her mother died. Damon, her father, is said to have been afflicted with a mental illness, brought on by his grief. He sent messenger throughout his town and other lands to find some woman of noble birth, resembling his wife, who would be willing to marry him. When none could be found, his evil advisers told him to marry his own daughter. Dymphna fled from her castle together with St. Gerebran, her confessor and two other friends. Damon found them in Belgium. He gave orders that the priest’s head be cut off. Then Damon tried to persuade his daughter to return to Ireland with him. When she refused, he drew his sword and struck off her head. She was then only fifteen years of age. Dymphna received the crown of martyrdom in defense of her purity about the year 620. She is the patron of those suffering from nervous and mental afflictions. Many miracles have taken place at her shrine, built on the spot where she was buried in Gheel, Belgium.

     Prayer: Hear us, O God, Our Savior, as we honor St. Dymphna, patron of those afflicted with mental and emotional illness. Help us to be inspired by her example and comforted by her merciful help. Amen.

     Think … The reflection in our mirror ought to remind the world more of Christ than of us.

Firewood … Tuesday, May 14

Green on the left,Seasoned (dry) on the right.

A Rosary Meditation … The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery, the Carrying of the Cross. “For if in the case of green wood they do these things, what is to happen in the case of the dry?” Luke 23:31. Jesus made this comment to the people following Him as He carried His cross to Calvary. He was letting them know just what it was that they had to look forward to. Jesus is the “green” wood, we, His disciples, are the “dry”. What’s the difference between green wood and dry? Well, there are various differences, but for our now let’s think about it this way: Green wood isn’t meant for burning, and you don’t choose green wood when you’re looking for firewood. Jesus is sinless and so not suitable for death. But they killed Him anyway, didn’t they? Green wood still has sap in it, it still has its “life energy”. Jesus, God Almighty, has ALL of the life force in Him. He IS Life Force! But He allowed Himself to be crucified anyway. We, on the other hand, are dry wood. We have no life force of our own, we have no life force left, we have no life outside of Christ. We’re born in sin and suitable for burning. And that’s a part of what Hell is all about, isn’t it? Of course it’s not us and it’s not the fallen angels who go gathering the firewood up at the end, is it? It’s the good angels along with Jesus when He comes again. “Thus shall it be in the completion of the age: the angels shall go forth and sever the wicked from the midst of the just, … ” Matthew 13:49. Not everything that burns burns in Hell. And that’s what Purgatory is all about, isn’t it? And then of course there is the dryness of our spiritual life as believers here on earth compared to what it can be, what it should be, and what it will be. Also, dry wood isn’t, in the world’s view, good for much. Its dead fall and stuff to pick up (get rid of) out of the yard. It’s in the way, it’s a nuisance, and the world treats us accordingly, doesn’t it?

Today …  St. Maria Dominic Mazzarello

St. Maria Dominic Mazzarello

Co-foundress of the Daughters of Mary Auxiliatrix or Our Lady Help of Christians and a disciple of St. John Bosco. She was born near Genoa, Italy, and joined the Pious Union of Mary Immaculate while young. Her institute formed slowly, aided by St. John Bosco, despite her bout with typhoid. She was the first superior general in 1872 when St. John Bosco received approval from Pope Pius IX. The Salesian Sisters, as they are called, spread rapidly. By 1900, there were nearly eight hundred foundations. She was canonized in 1951 by Pope Pius XII. OK, so we’re dry wood. But we don’t need to stay that way because we’ve been grafted into the Body of Christ. “And if some of the branches be broken, and thou, being a wild olive, art ingrafted in them, and art made partaker of the root, and of the fatness of the olive tree, … ” Romans 11:17. Like I said above, ” … there is the dryness of our spiritual life as believers here on earth compared to what it can be … ” This lady, St. Mazzarello, proves what we CAN be. Remember that just because wood is dry now doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. So we do what with dry wood in order that it not be dry anymore? Soak it in water. The more we become like Jesus, the less dry we are. “He that believeth in me, as the scripture saith, Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38. And there’s the Fountain we get the water from to soak ourselves in. Immerse yourself in Christ.

Remember … “For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall rule them, and shall lead them to the fountains of the waters of life, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17.