News August 31, 2023

News from Good News Ministries:

• The most miraculous place on earth
• Plus great links to great content!

The most miraculous place on earth

We are recommitting our Good News Mission of building the faith of Catholics by focusing on deepening your experience of the Holy Mass. So, let me share with you this reflection from my personal journey.

Where’s the most miraculous place on earth? The Mass! The Liturgy of the Eucharist.

I learned that lesson for the first time early in my writing career. I’d begun writing my book, Overcoming the Power of the Occult (gnm.org/terry-modica-author/overcoming-the-power-of-the-occult). Unusual things kept happening that prevented me from making much progress. I finally figured out that demons were interfering. I ran to Mass for respite.

The difference afterward in my writing was so noticeable that I returned to Mass the next day and the next, and soon I realized that daily Mass attendance made a significant difference, not only in the progress of my book but also in my personal growth. Frequent celebration of the Mass is still what empowers me better than anything else.

Saint Jeanne Jugan (1792-1879, Feast day August 29) said:

“Jesus is waiting for you in the chapel. Go and find him when your strength and patience are giving out, when you feel lonely and helpless. Say to him: ‘You know well what is happening, my dear Jesus. I have only You. Come to my aid….’ And then go your way. And don’t worry about knowing how you are going to manage. It is enough to have told our good Lord. He has an excellent memory!”

Mass is the highest part of the day. It’s a mountaintop experience. It raises us up out of the valley and floods of daily problems — every time. Very often, it’s a leap to the mountaintop.

The transubstantiation of bread and wine into the real body and blood of Christ is only one of many supernatural events that God provides during Mass. The liturgy gives us protection from evil in part because it begins with the Penitential Rite, which miraculously heals our spiritual wounds and strengthens our connection to the Holy Spirit.

Next, the reading of God’s Word and relating it to our lives through good preaching and by good listening (even when the preaching isn’t good) is a supernaturally anointed time when the Holy Spirit speaks to us. Carry this forward into the consecration rite and we can hear Jesus speaking to us from the altar. What questions do you have for God? Now is the time to expect answers! What have you been praying for? Now is the time when it’s easiest to feel God comforting you or encouraging you or re-enlivening your hope. It’s an opportunity to experience the healing touch of Jesus, fresh inspiration, and a personal anointing.

I’ve discovered, again and again, that many of the thoughts that come to mind while Jesus is on the altar are not from mere human imagination. By this time during Mass, if I’ve truly been participating in the Mass with full attention, the Holy Spirit has anointed my imagination to speak to me through it. When the messages or ideas are later confirmed, my faith grows and my confidence increases. Much of what I’m able to accomplish for the Lord is directly due to the divine conversation that Jesus miraculously enables in me during Mass.

It’s the perfect place to run to for problem-solving, especially when nothing else works.

After receiving the fullness of Jesus in the Eucharist, we should meditate on the union with God that we’ve gained. Soon we’ll be out in the world where other voices clamor for our attention. Our tendency to sin will inevitably deteriorate our closeness to God. We should do what we can to linger in the supernatural state of grace we received.

Is Sunday Mass enough? Not if we have difficulties and challenges during the week. I cannot count how many times daily Mass strengthened me for and even prevented problems that were looming in my day — including problems that I was not yet aware of.

Where daily Mass is available, most reasons we have for not going are easily overcome by God if we ask for his help. If we drive our children to school, is there a Mass nearby that starts after you drop them off? Is there another parent who can carpool the kids some days? God will help set it up. If our job requires us to arrive at work too early for starting the day with Mass, is there a noon Mass? Many cities have a downtown Catholic church that accommodates business schedules. Or ask God to change your work schedule. I’ve seen it happen!

Mass is the most supernatural place on earth. How many miracles can you identify there? Watch for them!

Want to go deeper into your experience of the Catholic Mass? You’ll be blessed by our two video series:

Go Deeper into Holy Mass @ gnm-media.org/category/go-deeper-into-holy-mass
or
Take, Eat, Drink: Understanding the Catholic Mass @ gnm-media.org/category/take-eat-and-drink (includes discussion questions for groups)

And you’ll love my book, My Soul Shall Be Healed @ gnm.org/terry-modica-author/my-soul-shall-be-healed (includes group discussion questions)

Liked the Saint quote we used here? We have something for every day of the year @ gnm.org/daily-saints.

Good News Prayer Room:

Use our collection of Catholic prayers designed with your needs in mind. They will give you hope and a stronger connection to God’s love and support. What do you need prayers for today?

Visit gnm.org/prayers.

Post your prayer requests @ gnm.org/post-a-prayer.

Good News WordBytes:

WANT MORE FAITH and HOPE in TROUBLED TIMES? WE’RE HERE for YOU! Choose from a variety of topics on our website of Catholic Faith-building articles. What do you need today?

Visit wordbytes.org.

Explore our Catholic Video Library for Faith Growth

Turn Sunday after Mass into a retreat day; watch videos from our library of faith-builders:

• • Footsteps to Heaven
  • Guest Spots
  • Terry & Ralph’s Good News for Today
  • Quick Faith-builders with Terry Modica
  • God’s Amazing Word for Miracles
  • God’s Radical Love for Marriage
  • Come Holy Spirit!
  • Praying with Power
  • How to Pray in the Power of the Holy Spirit
  • Go Deeper into Holy Mass
  • Take, Eat, Drink: Understanding the Catholic Mass
  • How to Turn Your Crosses Into Resurrections
  • The Apostolate of the Laity in the Church Crisis
  • Personal Testimonies
  • Prayer Meditations
  • Meditations without Words

God bless you!

Every morning, I lift up in prayer everyone who helps Good News Ministries in any way (donors, volunteers, prayer supporters, etc.) and all the prayer requests posted on our site. What can I cover in prayer for you? Post your prayer request.

How else can the team and I serve you today? Visit our homepage.

Thank you for reading this newsletter.

Your servant in Christ,
Terry Modica, Executive Director
Good News Ministries
gnm.org

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