The Mystical City of God: Meditation 1 and 666

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

As a New Year' s Resolution I am embarking on a deep look at at deep book, one that is foundational to the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity for it is written in the heart of SOLT's founder, Fr. James Flanagan.

Why I did not attempt Venerable Mary of Agreda's Mystical City of God earlier (some other time during the past 16 years) is a mystery to me. I poked my nose it it from time to time, but I failed to mine its incomparable treasures.  How sad...

Here is the antidote
to the attacks of the Antichrist

In her Temple years (Age 3-12)
Mary learned the immense value
of humility, obedience and silent suffering:

THE CONCEPTION, Book 2, Chapter XVI.

She and He will crush his head (Gen 3:15)
with obedience and willed suffering.

FROM WIKIPEDIA

 Accounts of her mystical apparitions (Mary of Agreda's) in the American Southwest, as well as inspiring passages in Mystical City of God, so stirred 17th and 18th century missionaries that they credit her in their own life's work, making her an integral part of the colonial history of the United States.

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

Light, Life and Love: A Message from the Mother of God?

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*
  

 Message to Mirjana Soldo
Medjugorje 
November 2, 2014

Dear children, I am with you with the blessing of my Son, with you who love me and who strive to follow me. I also desire to be with you who do not accept me. To all of you I am opening my heart full of love and I am blessing you with my motherly hands. I am a mother who understands you. I lived your life and lived through your sufferings and joys. You who are living the pain understand my pain and suffering because of those of my children who do not permit the light of my Son to illuminate them; those of my children who are living in darkness. This is why I need you—you who have been illuminated by the light and have comprehended the truth. I am calling you to adore my Son so that your soul may grow and reach true spirituality.

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

St. Christopher, Pray for us in 2015

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

St. Christopher Church in Houston, TX (from the website at http://www.stchristopherhouston.org/index.html)

The Christ Bearer is who 
we might emulate this New Year.

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

Ringing in the New

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

2015 is really starting out with a Big Bang.
We hope that the light that flows
from the New Ark of the Covenant
guides us safely to the Promised Land.

St. Joseph, Protector of the Holy Family,
Pray for us!

This is purposely cryptic.


Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

Love is the Light

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

http://www.free-christian-wallpapers.blogspot.com

 Love is the light—and in the end,
the only light—that can always
illuminate a world grown dim
and give us the courage
needed to keep living...

Pope Benedict XVI

 (Deus Caritas Est, §39)


Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

Plugged

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

Once Upon a Mystical Time...

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

I have had more than a few mysterious encounters in the natural world leading up to and since my reversion in 1998.  They have each shared three distinguishing marks:  very unique circumstances, perfect timing and a suspended question mark.

Let me try to relate one such event.

The time: May 8, 2009

The place: Verona, New Jersey

The circumstances:

While visiting with my dear Aunt Rose and Uncle John, a year and three months after the passing of Fr. Silvester Livolsi, (Uncle Sivvy) my phone suddenly died due to battery failure.

I was about to drive to Branchville, NJ to spend some discernment time at the Sanctuary of Mary and so, I needed another phone before I left.

I needed to find the nearest Verizon...

Question...Where is this Verizon store?

East Hanover…Route 10

I drove there and after much difficulty, I purchased a new cell phone.

Question...Is God calling our family to move to the Sanctuary of Mary Our Lady of the Holy Spirit?

It was then around three o’clock, and Jen called from Texas to tell me that a Indian priest had just then been stabbed in the city of Sinton in the Diocese of Corpus Christi. 

I was on Pleasant Valley Way heading west and so I decided to get to the nearest church, which happens to be Our Lady of the Lake in Verona, a church that to the best of my knowledge, I might have visited one time in my life.

I parked and climbed the steps only to find out that both the front and side doors were locked. 

A 'what now' moment, a third question…

Inspiration...walk across the street to Verona Park and pray a rosary for the two intentions.

The park was simply beautiful. At the far end of the lake I had a brief encounter with a woman at the snack shop. I asked if she was Muslim and she responded that she was Egyptian (a Copt). I bought an ice cream from her and ate it as I continued walking and praying. I crossed the creek at the park's far end bridge.  Then on the return to my Dad’s car I sat down to finish my prayers by a weeping willow.  When I started back on the trail I was greatly surprised when I spied a young deer eating leaves from a sapling.  It was maybe 50-80 feet from where I stood and it didn't seem startled.  It was just standing there very close to the road.

I gave thanks to St. Francis and walked another 10 seconds and then I spotted a bright light in the green grass.

I moved closer to investigate and there I saw, for the first time in my 50 years of life, a white dove in nature.

I can honestly say that I never remember seeing such a peaceful animal.  I moved closer step-by-step and I crouched down, slowly pulling out the brand new Verizon flip top cell phone.  I approached and was no more than three feet away. There was no flash or added light.  There was no retouching.  There was however a luminous, timeless and otherworldly quality to the moment and the subsequent images.

Do I dare say that the dove I encountered was a manifestation of the Holy Spirit?

Dare I do, for I have no other choice.

It was just too peaceful, and too white and the grass that day seemed too green. I stayed in its presence for nine minutes…a mini novena.

It stayed and I finally left, profoundly thanking God

FAST FORWARD FIVE YEARS... Thank God, Fr. Varghese survived the attack and is still serving God. My family is still seeking to do God's will...

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

A Picture is Worth...

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

Double-click the image to enlarge

If you GET this painting
then you GET Catholicism

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

An incredible image of Jesus coming in the clouds?

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYYiaZcuEuk

This image is from a YouTube video

the 1970 Bobby Bloom hit song,

 Montego Bay

Maranatha!

and 

Merry Christmas

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

See you on the High Ground

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

I just found this on the web:

I spent 20 years of my life in the United States Army, the best of which was in the Infantry.  In my early years in the Infantry a common farewell from a Commander to his subordinate leaders before departing for a mission was “I’ll see you on the high ground.”  I always loved the implied double meaning of this form of goodbye.

The most obvious reference was to earlier times when the objective of most attacks was to secure a piece of high ground in order to gain the tactical advantage that it afforded.  I think it was also the case because it was easily understandable and didn’t require a lot of communication, which was lacking in the years before tactical radios.  It is pretty easy to point at a hilltop and tell a subordinate element, “Go there and kill anything that is there or tries to kick you off once you own it.”

The second implied meaning, and the meaning I loved, was a likeness of heaven to the high ground.  After all, if I didn’t see you on the objective, it meant I would see you in heaven some day and had probably beat you there.

The beauty of the words for me lay in the willingness of the Soldier to accept the second fate, if he couldn’t accomplish the first.

What draws me back to this theme and why I chose it as the title of my blog is really about what has happened since I retired from the Army Reserve on January 28, 2008.  Upon leaving the Army, I lost the rallying cry of my life since I was 18.  Although I had been somewhat seriously back on a walk with Christ since about 1995 I would not say it was the main cause in my life for most of that time.  However, with leaving the Army I have been confronted with the question of what I will live for now.  Languishing in mediocrity is not an option.  I hope that I will live to be Christ to the world around me.  First and foremost to my wife and two sons, but also to those I know and work with and those I will seek out and serve.

I know it is possible to serve God with all the discipline and selflessness that I devoted to serving my country, I just haven’t had as many great leaders to show me the way as I did in the Army.  I know because I have seen it, even in the context of the Army.  In 2004, while serving in Mosul, Iraq I came in contact with a team of missionaries that was killed in a drive-by shooting within hours of leaving the base where I worked.  The next day at breakfast one of my best friends asked me why people would be so dumb as to drive around with no protection in spite of the danger.  I told him I didn’t think they had cared about the danger because if they lived they would serve the Lord, and if they died they got to spend eternity worshiping the Lord.  While I was in Iraq I can honestly say I worried very little about dying.  Whether I lived or died wasn’t that relevant.  If I lived I got to do what I love, soldier, and if I died, I got to worship God for eternity.  I still don’t worry about it but what I lack now is the intense purpose this side of eternity.  My quest is to make God that singular focus for the rest of my time here.  That is what I hope to focus on in the entries that will follow. 

(http://onthehighground.wordpress.com/about)

Unfortunately for us ....
no entries from Brett follow 

 See you on the High Ground!

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

Vessel of Honor...

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*
 

ISIS reportedly selling Christian artifacts,
turning churches into torture chambers
Fox News

Ponder the following:

If a man therefore purge himself from these,
he shall be a vessel to honor,
sanctified, and meet for the master's use,
and prepared to every good work.
 2 Timothy 2:21

Let us pray for our Christian brethren
in Iraq and Syria

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

Thank You George!

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

I am one of the fortunate ones who has knowledge of my guardian angel.  I have come to know him and his name is George. How am I sure of this?   Well, I believe his name was revealed back in February 1996 in Maryland.  His name was confirmed in Santa Rosa Beach Florida in April 1998.

THANKS FOR BEING THERE 
FOR ME GEORGE

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

Trinity Time

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.* 

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

It's About Time

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

Eternity is linked to creation as the Speed of Light (SOL) is tethered to space-time/matter. Modern physics cannot escape this relationship and E=mc² bears witness to the fundamental bond. Energy and mass are "the same" only because the SOL provides the means to balance this equation. 

God who exists outside of time and reigns in Eternity (no change nor entropy in the Trinity) created all that is. With His words "Let there be light" He started the clock and balanced the equation.

He is the source of all light and the assigner of a 3 x 10⁸ m/s velocity to light.
 
Unchanging, pure unapproachable Light is the source of space-time/matter. Jesus Christ is the Light of the World through whom all things were made.

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

The Heart of the Matter

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

If our hearts are in Jesus,
abiding in Him,
And His is the Heart of all matter
Then His is the only Heart that matters

Think about it

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

Her Immaculate Conception

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

How incredible is it for the New Eve to have been preserved
from original sin, from the moment of her conception?

For God who is the source of all
light, life and love, 
it makes complete sense.  

Hail Mary, full of grace, 
full of His light, life and love,
Our Lord, Jesus Christ.  

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

Another Confirmation?

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

Why did I find this today
when it was written in 1998?
Hmmm....

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

Get It? Got It? Good*

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

Stefan Lochner (1442-1451) Last Judgment, 1435

 Do you see the double rainbow?
Do you see the symbolic R-G-B  coloring?

*The Danny Kaye lead role in The Court Jester 
has some memorable lines.

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

A Beautiful Confirmation

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

The logo for the next Eucharistic Congress 
looks alot like some of my blog work.

I hope that it jump starts the Church's Trinitarian
appreciation of the primary optical colors R-G-B
 and the prime energies
of God—Light, Life and Love.

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

Let your minds dwell...on the Three

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

 "Now brothers and sisters, let your minds dwell on what is true, what is worthy, what is right, what is pure, what is amiable, what is kindly—on everything that is excellent or praiseworthy," (Philippians 4:8).

The Trinity icon is a gift to the whole world, then and now, as it shines with a bright light, announcing the dynamic of God's shared inner life. To the world wherever and whenever it knows desperation and disintegration, the icon silently teaches that within God, there is life, community, family and relationship, and that when all seems lost, we are each invited to enter into that dynamic—a dynamic of transformative shared divine energies. (http://paucaverba.blogspot.com/2013/05/contemplating-rublev-trinity-icon.html)

Thanks Fr. Stephen

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

Jasper Jesus and Rainbow

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

I actually passed by Jasper, British Columbia on my trans-Canadian odyssey from Monterey, California to Ft. Lee, Virginia in 1990.

I wonder if back then, I would have been spiritually moved
by this stained glass in an Anglican Church.

I was probably too blind to see.

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

Hymn to the Virgin with Child

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

Artistic detail and theological depth 
oftimes go hand-in-hand.
Here is one such work.

Is it any wonder that we'd find
another Jesus-rainbow connection?

Sincerely yours in Jesus through Mary,
Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas;
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael