Photograph of sand and old paving stones after the rain by CN Whittle
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
BEAUTIFUL PLANTS AFTER THE RAIN
Beautiful plants after the rain
You may have tears in your heart;
but the sun will come out to shine on your face again.
Times of trouble may come your way,
but lift your face to God.
The sun of His Love will always shine on you,
and the tears in your heart will turn to everlasting diamonds.
It is not an easy journey to holiness;
yet it is a beautiful one.
We are never alone!
Photograph by CN Whittle
SACRED HEART OF JESUS
The Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary
(1) "I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
(2) I will establish peace in their homes.
(3) I will comfort them in all their afflictions.
(4) I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
(5) I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
(6) Sinners will find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
(7) Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
(8) Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
(9) I will bless every place in which an image of my Heart is exposed and honored.
10) I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
(11) Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart.
(12) I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment."
Photograph by CN Whittle
SAINT BRIDGET OF SWEDEN
Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Saint Bridget of Sweden revelations"
Thursday, July 23, 2026
BLOW TO THE FACE OF CHRIST
JOHN 18
The High Priest Questions Jesus
19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching.
20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question Me? Ask those who heard Me. Surely they know what I said.”
22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck Him in the Face. “Is this the way You answer the high priest?” he demanded.
23 “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike Me?” 24 Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
The Blow Upon His Holy Face
Before the court our Saviour stood,
The Lord of mercy, truth and good.
No angry answer did He give,
But showed us how God's saints should live.
An officer with cruel hand,
Struck Christ, Who at the trial did stand.
With quiet strength Jesus stood there,
Endured the shame with patient care
The Saviour spoke with quiet grace,
No trace of vengeance marked His Face:
"If I have spoken words untrue,
Then show the wrong that I did do.
"But if the truth My Lips have said,
Why strike My Face?" the Saviour pled.
Yet still He bore the shame and pain,
To cleanse our hearts from sin's dark stain.
How often little wounds we bear,
Of harsh rebuke or pain unfair.
Misjudged by those who cannot see,
Or burdened by adversity.
A thoughtless word, a cold disdain,
A hidden grief, a quiet pain;
These lesser crosses come our way,
To meet us in life's passing day.
Then let us bear them patiently,
With humble hearts and charity.
For every trial, great and small,
Can draw us nearer Christ, our All.
United to our suffering King,
Our tears become an offering;
For He who wore the crown of thorn,
Will raise our hearts to Heaven's morn.
O Lord, when trials fill our days,
Teach us to walk in all Your ways;
To bear each cross with faith and love,
Until we dwell with You above.
Image by CN Whittle
CANAANITE WOMAN OF FAITH
Canaanite woman of faith
A Canaanite came from afar,
Led onward by faith's guiding star;
She sought the Lord with earnest plea,
"Have mercy, Lord, O pity me!
"Great Son of David, hear my cry!
Do not, dear Lord, just pass me by;
My daughter suffers day and night,
Oppressed by evil's fearful might."
At first the Saviour answered not,
Yet still she trusted, faltered not!
She knelt before His gracious Face,
And sought His loving help and grace.
"My Lord," she said, "I know Your power;
Please help my child this very hour."
The Saviour drew her faith to light,
Till all could see its wondrous might.
"It is not right," the Master said,
"To take the children's daily bread,
And cast it to the dogs instead,"
Yet still in faith she bowed her head.
"Yes, Lord," she answered, meek and wise,
"Yet little dogs beneath arise;
To gather crumbs that gently fall,
From tables rich enough for all."
Then Jesus smiled with joy untold;
Her steadfast faith was strong as gold.
"O woman, great your faith has proved!
Your humble trust has deeply moved."
That very hour her child was free;
Christ triumphed o'er the enemy.
The Saviour's mighty word brought peace,
Thus all her daughter's pain did cease.
So when our trials seem too great,
Let faith, not fear, direct our fate.
For those who seek the Lord above
Will find His mercy, power and love.
Image by CN Whittle
WISE MEN FROM THE EAST
MATTHEW 2
Wise Men from the East
2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”
7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
The Wise Men and the King
From eastern lands the wise men came,
To seek the Child of holy fame;
A shining star through darkest night,
Led onward by its brilliant light.
Across the hills, through desert sand,
They journeyed to the promised Land;
With faithful hearts they sought God's Son,
The long-promised and Anointed One.
They found the Child with Mary there,
In quiet peace and humble care.
They bowed before His sacred Face,
Their hearts made glad by boundless grace.
Gold and resins they gifted there,
Precious gifts offered with loving care;
No earthly throne their eyes did meet,
Yet still they worshipped at Christ's Feet.
The little Jesus raised His eyes,
With love that reached beyond the skies;
He looked on each with tender grace,
A smile of mercy lit His face.
Though but a Child, He knew each heart,
And loved them from the very start.
The Light that shone from His great grace,
Shone brightly in that humble place.
So may we too seek our holy King,
And grateful hearts before Him bring.
May we be faithful to God's Son,
Who victory over death has won.
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