I sent this video to soooo many people….and get such wonderful responses back….Just found this on Friday and was enthralled by it …LOVE taking notes while listening ….then going over the notes before I listen to the next day’s recording. My prayers are with you and your daughter and that your daughter realizes what an AWESOME and forgiving God we have. many Blessings!
I take notes too. I bought this 40 day Kent journal. Bruce really inspires my “talking to God” and understanding of scriptures. It’s a great idea to take notes
I’ve been there and will pray for your daughter. A priest once suggested to me, after going to confession and still being so distraught, that I should read the dairy of Saint Faustina titled “Divine Mercy in my Soul.” It was very helpful. Even the saints struggled with forgiving self, but by reaching out to God through prayer, a spiritual advisor, reading, etc. They came to realize the depth His love and His endless mercy and forgiveness.
As we plant seeds of God’s love and forgiveness sometimes we just have to trust God and wait for them to grow. May Jesus open your daughters heart to His great love ❤
Christine
1 year ago
Our God is a God of mercy and healing. His love is everlasting. Praise God.
I’ve never though of Lent about “Healing” but a penance. You stated “Lent is about healing, the healing of us. God is interested in our heart. This was me encountering God today, I heard him and felt him. Thank you. Katherine
This resonated with me as well. I live so many aspects of my life by following the rules without regard for much else. I pray that on this journey of lent I will also be healed. God Bless.
I so agree with you that Lent is all about Healing!
Suzanne Craddock
1 year ago
I have been awake for most of the night reviewing conversations with two of my children re another who had withheld important information from them and realising how the effects of dysfunction can come down through the family. Only God’s forgiveness can heal these situations and I pray for forgiveness to break the cycle, Lord, Hear my prayer!
God heard your prayers, I believe that you are forgiven ,Just the fact that you went to God and told him the wrong you did and asked for forgiveness is the right thing you did and your heart was beening truthful to say what and what was the sin you feel you did. We have a loving Lord God, and like he says you are forgiven don’t sin again. Seek him and keep your eyes and heart to Him, pray, and read his word daily. God bless you 🙏
Susan
1 year ago
Relationship, it’s all about the relationship and capturing one’s heart, rather than than getting bogged down in all the rules.
The parable spoke to me. Some believe that keeping the ‘rules’, guarantees them a place in heaven. I am only too aware that I make mistakes and sin. I never take my place in heaven for granted.
Rosslyn
1 year ago
Thanks for your insights. Do feel compelled to follow rules and m.aybe forget about people.
Jeanne
1 year ago
I have done wrong but I was not aware what I was doing was immoral. I spent time with an alcoholic priest and paid for his drinks. I rationalized we were spending time entertaining each other. I had no idea the depth of despair in his life, the loss of his prayer time, and I am devastated to say he committed suicide. I went to confession and asked God to forgive my part. I was given absolution but those times weigh heavily on me and I cannot forgive myself.
Dear Jeanne, I really feel for you. We can get drawn into things beyond our control at times and not see things as they really are until years later. All these issues which are showing up at present highlight the need to spend time in prayer so that we can see things as they really are, I will pray for you, Suzanne
Jeanne, God forgives you! please take this burden off your shoulders and continue to spread your goodness to all the others in your life – like you always do . Move forward with lessons learned and compassion following.
Do not let Satan bring condemnation to you! Once you receive absolution that is over….. clean slate! AMEN!!! 🙏. Receive His Mercy, grace and amazing love! Do not waste the beautiful gift of today!!!
Dear Jeanne, I really wanted to reach out to you as a recovering Alcoholic. Alcohol to the Alcoholic is a formidable foe. Cunning, baffling, powerful. I can say to you with my hand on my heart, you are not responsible for what happened. Many of us are unable or unwilling to take the steps that are necessary and lifelong to recover. Please please do not blame yourself. As an alcoholic I am responsible for me and my own recovery but most certainly if I do not take steps to arrest my disease then I will end up either insane or… Read more »
Thank you Kathleen. That’s so kind of you. God bless. 😊🙏💚
Lee
1 year ago
Even after reconciliation, made with absolute genuine remorse, faithfully performing my penance, etc sometimes I still struggle with the notion that God has actually forgiven me and I truly can put the matter aside. I feel I have more work to do to get through that “doubting Thomas” struggle and truly believe God has forgiven me, I need God to increase my faith.
Sometimes I feel like that too and hope God have forgiven me.Please God incease my faith.
Denise
1 year ago
The morning I realzsed God does not want us to stress about the passed as he has forgiven
Donna
1 year ago
Hi Bruce, I needed to hear this message. In the day to day busyness I sometimes forget. Wonderful and healing of heart.
Jane
1 year ago
Come and ask to be loved and be set free. How I want to set my burden down.
Cheryl
1 year ago
Thanks Bruce. I needed to hear your message today. I constantly struggle to pray from the heart and feel my prayers are just words without meaning. God bless.
Lyn
1 year ago
Thank you Bruce for today’s message- I love starting my day pondering what I have absorbed and trying to put it into practise during the day ahead. God bless everyone on this Lenten journey – especially those for the first time.
Today’s message is one we need to hear over and over again. Thank you Bruce because the message of God’s love and mercy is healing balm to our hearts. God bless you and yours.
Thelma
1 year ago
Hi Bruce, thank you very much for the beautiful message.
Suzanne Craddock
1 year ago
I feel strongly that as women we are conditioned to feel that we are responsible for everyone and everything and this leads to us being unable to accept forgiveness and to forgive ourselves, Suzanne
Victoria
1 year ago
Thank you this has helped me with hanging on to any guilt over little things and thinking I am not a good person by failing in my catholic faith by forgetting to pray because I have had a busy day or missing a day not saying the Rosary I feel a lot of guilt.
Corina Iacobellis
1 year ago
Thank you Bruce I really needed to hear this this morning In healing of our passed I sometimes think when things in our life’s are thrown at us and things go wrong Is it a punishment from God in what we have failed in our passed ????? I do question that But I keeping asking God to keep forgiving me And at times I say God I can’t anymore this one is too painful for me This one is hard to carry Please pray for me to hear Gods voice clearer in my heart Pray for my family Thank you… Read more »
Christine Taylor
1 year ago
Can that same desire of temptation be transformed into some good, a thought, a word, an action or deed?
David Grace
1 year ago
For nearly two years I have been daily visitng my wife in an aged care facility. She has dementia. Whilst there I have struck up conversations with another resident who is a priest and who now suffers from dementia. Yesterday as I was leaving, he stopped me and asked me how I was and I responded asking how he was. He told me that I might think I just come each day to see my wife but he has been watching me and has been inspired by my continued coming. I can tell in his voice that he is more… Read more »
Oh what a beautiful message that God told you through this Priest.God is seeing what we do and that yes we can help bring His Kingdom here to Earth. Well done, good and faithful servant. You are faithful in the little, thats really what God asks us all to do.How blessed your wife and family are to have you in their lives. Gods blessings Rosemary
I am loving these daily devotionals! Especially the reassurance that God is near far away from ME and that he forgives!!
David
1 year ago
Thanks Bruce, I ask he lord to work in me more and more each day and what better way than through lent. May God use me to bring others to him for he is our God and we all need him.
Denise Burke
1 year ago
I like the expression that Lent is a healing time. Thank you Bruce Downes for your insight.
Eileen
1 year ago
Bruce, thank you for the nice Sunday sermon. Now that i know God has forgiven me through my prayers and talks with him, i can also forgive my 2 Sisters, who did me wrong. Thanks Bruce , for helping me see that we are forgiven. Amen
Rosemary
1 year ago
Please do not keep repeating yourself,that is frustrating for me,otherwise good
Donna
1 year ago
Like so many commenting here I believe God has forgive me as “far as the East is from the West” however I can’t seem to obtain that freedom that comes with self forgiveness. The shame the memories are still occupying my mind. Lord Jesus please heal me so I may have life to the full.
When a memory tries to occupy your mind send a prayer of thanks to Him for His forgiveness, love grace and mercy! Gratitude works wonders!!!!
Outsider
1 year ago
Can we just change the definitions of words? Penance: voluntary self-punishment inflicted as an outward expression of repentance for having done wrong, Not outward expressions of transformations. If we can’t even agree on what words mean, how am I supposed to trust anything you say?
Last edited 1 year ago by Outsider
Kemp V.
1 year ago
Thank you Bruce! Rules without relationship become senseless. And when our hearts are with God – these so called rules become expressions of love. At least that’s how I experience it. <3
Outsider
1 year ago
Please explain to me how I can have a relationship with one I’m unable to interact with, one who never responds when talked to, one who never does anything that one in a relationship does. From all accounts all he ever seems to do is judge from afar, which doesn’t sound like a healthy relationship in any sense of the word.
See that’s what I’ve been told my entire life, because none of this god stuff had ever made sense, even when I was a child. When is enough searching enough? 25 yrs? 50 yrs? A century? How long before enough is enough?
That fact that you are searching still says God has you on His radar!🙏. “Father God move mightily on this child, give favor and blessing and whatever it takes to make Him know the truth! “ You never leave us or forsake us! Perhaps 1-800-639-5433 you will find the answers you need for New Life! Don’t give up….we will continue to pray for you! He answers all our prayers!!!
D’you every notice, though, that those who are eternally positive are those who’ve already gotten their answer. I honestly don’t understand how you can say he never forsakes anyone. Especially with stories like Jaycee Fugard, kidnapped at 11, kept hostage and raped incessantly for 18 years. But according to theists god was right there, by her side, watching, doing absolutely nothing, as she was impregnated twice by her captor. That certainly doesn’t sound like a loving being in any sense of the word to me.
Jesus is the answer!! God will turn evil into good! Keep searching and we will keep praying for you not to be deceived! God loves you even if you don’t acknowledge Him as Lord of your life yet.
You might be right. But if he is close, and he’s been choosing to ignore those of us who’ve been searching for him for our entire lives, why would I want a relationship with something like that? Imagine you were kidnapped as a child. But every day from where you were held, chained to a wall, there was a neighbor who could see you. He never helped you, never spoke to you, never comforted you, just watched you as you were held captive. You finally escape and ask why he never helped you, he says he didn’t want you love… Read more »
🤷🏻♀️I was abused as a child! And He turned that evil into good! I will pray for you and ask Him to help you see things differently! Be blessed! You probably are but don’t see it! “Open blind eyes Father to your amazing goodness!” He is going to move mightily! 🕊
How is it possible that you look at that as a good thing? That was a horrible and traumatic experience, that was not good. If this truly is the all powerful all loving being you believe him to be, the one who created the universe with a thought, yet he still was powerless about stopping your abuse? You were able to turn your life around, you, not him. He did nothing. Open your eyes, Sandie, see the strength within yourself
Dear one my eyes our open… the strength with in me is the Holy Spirit! 🙏for you and your future which is in His hands! Jesus died for you! That’s truth, believe or or not it does not change the truth🙏
Ok, right there. I am looking to find what is true. But some old story translated a dozen times from scraps of parchment no bigger than a credit card, only tells you the story, it in no way verifies it as being the truth. You have a lot of pretty words, but as of yet nothing to back them up. I also don’t understand the mindset that jesus sacrificed anything. According to the story he was crucified, tombed up for 36 hrs, then was back to partying it up with his apostles. And god didn’t sacrifice his son either, because… Read more »
Do that exercise and I will pray for truth to become evident! There is a Heaven and a hell. Eternity is forever your Spirit will live on! where it lives is up to you free will! Prayers for a mighty move of God!
Ready? Do an exercise to “write down the times he carried me through my journey”
He helped me _____
Done, he’s never helped me do anything, ever. Not sure what this exercise was supposed to help with, but it just reiterates the fact that your god either does not exist, or doesn’t care enough for me to know about it.
“There is a heaven and a hell”? How do you know that? Based on what? “You Spirit will live on”? Based on what? We have zero evidence of a spirit.
I’m sorry, but unless someone has any actual, reliable, demonstrable evidence for this god, I fear I’d only bring everybody down by remaining here. I’m glad you feel nice, but flowery language doesn’t do anything for me. If this all powerful all loving god can’t muster up even the smallest bit of tangibkle demonstrable evidence for his existence that leads to one of two most likely reasons. Either A – he does not exist, just in your imagination. Or B – he does exist, just doesn’t care enough about me personally, so why give me any evidence that he’s apparently… Read more »
A very good exercise that would benefit you would be to get a journal, pen or pencil sit in a chair and go over your entire life in 5 year increments birth to 5, etc and reminisce with God who knows everything about you and write down the times He carried you through your journey! You’re still here🤗 that one thing to be thankful for!
If I had even a single example of ‘god carrying me’ don’t you think I wouldn’t be able to say I’ve never interacted with a god or supernatural entity of any kind? I have never experienced a god. Period. I’ve never experienced anything that couldn’t be explained by natural phenomena, coincidence, or misremembering an event.
You make me smile.. it’s just a matter of time till He captures your heart🕊. He loves every one the same, no favorites and you can’t change that whether you believe or don’t! Everyone has great worth and value😉
I don’t know where you get this everpresent optimism, but kudos to you I guess. I’m glad I could brighten your day, the world needs more smiles ; ) Feel like I’m raining on your parade, but where d’you get this idea that he loves everyone the same? For arguments sake I’ll grant that he exists, but how could there be so many in my position, earnestly and sincerely searching, for decades, only to find bubkis? If there are those who have had personal experiences with the creator of the universe, and others who have only reason to doubt his… Read more »
It’s just a matter of time!! He is there and waits for you! His word says “I knew you before you were formed in your mother womb!!! “ He has huge plans for you! Ask and receive that your joy may be not only full be overflowing! Read Psalm 91!!! Psalm 139!! Get ready for a mighty more of the Holy Spirit!😉. God’s timing is perfect!
I know you probably don’t understand this, but can you imagine how exceedingly frustrating that is? To be told about this amazing all loving being since I was a kid, who has this gift of faith so that you and he can have this amazing relationship. Only to never receive it? And whenever talking to some theist, to get the same answers, how I’m just supposed to give it time. Ask and you’ll receive? What d’you think I’ve been doing? I keep asking, I keep getting no responses. Psalm 139, the only part of that that has any application with… Read more »
Are you specific with your prayers??? Tell Him exactly what you need…..and if it His will you will receive it if not He has something better in mind! I will continue to pray for your breakthrough! Until then dear one hang in there! Time for rest…night
Have I been specific? lol, Hon I’ve been trying the prayer thing since I was 8, so I’m sure my prayers have ranged from asking for a toy to asking for help on an exam to homework, to asking for the confidence to ask a girl out to just some kind of evidence that he actually exists. That’s where my prayers stopped. I spent the last few yrs of my tenure as a church goer just asking from some kind of evidence, because that’s how my mind works. And after years of zero responses, what other conclusion is possible?
The one today? About asking if I feel like there’s something god won’t be able to forgive me for? Not to sound too arrogant or self righteous, but I don’t feel like I’ve done anything that needs forgiveness from the almighty creator of the universe. For two main reasons: 1 – if this is how he made me, don’t see why I should apologize for it, and 2 – I’m not in the habit of apologizing to someone I’ve never been introduced to. If god knows every little thing about me, and has never even attempted to approach me, that’s… Read more »
I don’t mean to sound unappreciative, I do appreciate the time you’ve taken talking with me, but we seem to have gotten into a rut. Where no matter what I say your responses remain the same. -Keep listening-It will happen-give it more time-Hang in there-Matter of time-Matter of time- Your god may be outside of time, where he can exist at no point in history and all points in history, but I can’t. I have but this one life, and time moves in only one direction. He’s had innumerable chances to make himself known, and not just to me, I’m… Read more »
I trust in Jesus, the Christ of God who is our Father as you should also🕊. You will join the Blood Bought and Paid for Family it is His Will non shall perish!! I have prayed for you and probably join your mother in this request for you to know the truth! Stick with Bruce through the Lenten season!! You will be very blessed!
ok, do me a favor and reread what you wrote to me, except try and read it from my point of view. You trust in Jesus, that’s great for you, but I have no reason to place trust in a storybook character. I don’t mean to belittle your beliefs, but to me that’s all he’s ever been, some character in a story. And everything you claim about him, amounts to basically me telling you about Spider-Man and everything he’s able to do. You’ve never interacted with Spider-Man, and you know people don’t walk up walls or shoot webbing at bad… Read more »
🙏. You may not speak or text of My Lord and Savior like this! I will continue to pray for you! You are So very deceived! 🙏. Stick with Bruce but I will not respond to you anymore, but keep you in my prayers!
I apologize, I did not mean to offend you. Which part did I say that was inaccurate? If you don’t tell me what I said that was wrong, how am I supposed to know to not do it in the future?
Last edited 1 year ago by John Doe
John Keogh
1 year ago
Thank goodness for God’s forgiveness,we need the world to forgive each other for PEACE. Gid Bless. John
Denise Hall
1 year ago
Thank you for the daily emails & for your prayer formulas (PERSPECTIVE; FABRIC etc) Another one that I have been told is ACTS: Adoration; Contrition; Thanksgiving; Supplication. I am finding the Lenten journey very beneficial, challenging & enjoyable. Blessings to you & all your team. D
Matsepo
1 year ago
Thank you so much Bruce.It is for the first time that I join You but I already feel the difference and from The Weekly I have started following the steps on the “PERSONAL PRAYER”.Forgiving oneself is very but with today’s TALK Ihave realised that it is possible.
Margaret Cullen
1 year ago
Bruce it was encouraging to hear the message again or re affirming, that Lent is a time of healing and God does forgive us for past sins
Vicky
1 year ago
Thank you, Bruce, for giving us a different perspective on God’s love, forgiveness and mercy. Like so many, I grew up in an era when it was all about following the rules and we were only taught about an angry God.
Jackie
1 year ago
First time here. Thank you Bruce for your assuring and meaningful talk.
Aloysius Aseervatham
1 year ago
Contemplating on your messages makes my heart feel so light! Thanks Bruce. I wish I heard these effective messages a long time ago when I was young and stupid!
Thanks for your Message. Using your words when I was ‘young and stupid,’ because I was at times, I never understood these things. I have a feeling I was told some of them but I was either too busy or too full of my own thoughts to surrender to God enough, thinking I knew best. I thank God for His forgiveness and that He heals our past and protects our minds and hearts from yesterday’s mistakes. This is true for you and everyone else today.
Thanks for writing.
God bless
Bruce – The Catholic Guy
Maria
1 year ago
His ability to Forgive, Heal and Restore us is just amazing 👏. I am so thankful 🙏 for this ❤.
Mark Williams
1 year ago
Thanks for the daily lessons thru Lent. Very informative, interesting, daily lessons thru Lent. Your lessons are extremely meaningful. Started with Ash Wednesday, and know that daily, I can look forward to being taught every day. Thanks Bruce. God Bless…
Steve
1 year ago
Forgiveness of self is difficult and requires constantly reminding oneself of what God has said and choosing to stand on that truth.
Libby Poole
1 year ago
I’m really enjoying these lent talks. I’m not a catholic, but went to a catholic convent in Windsor . Thank you Bruce Libby
Mary Ann
1 year ago
I have been away from the church for some time. I’ve done this before and now find myself back in the same pattern. I don’t know why. It hurts. I’ve vowed to go back for Lent. I’m also engaging in the readings and praying each day. This practice always blessed me with strength. I feel so weak now. Please, pray for me.
Mary Ann, I went away years ago when I lost my husband. Then during lockdown I started praying the rosary, then I found Bruce and lent last year. It brought me back, Jesus has showered me with blessings and I now realise that while I walked away He did not. Lent is a great time to return. Keep praying, I will also pray for you. God Bless.
God is amazing. I have felt the Lord’s healing today. As we all have things in our hearts that needs healing ♥
Judy d'Abbadie
1 year ago
Forgiving oneself for bad choices we made in the past is a difficult one, because we felt that at the time it was the correct choice, even though we hurt others. 🙏
Shaun
1 year ago
I thank God for this message , I so needed to hear this…we as sinners know the wrong we did and sometimes we can’t forgive ourselves but knowing GOD forgave us , refreshes us in our journey forward…
Ursel
1 year ago
Thanks
Alicia
1 year ago
This lent is been challenging so far. My brother and sister are at logger heads with each other. My addict son is causing me to wander away from what I had wanted to follow. This has been a difficult time since lent started and I am praying for wisdom and strengh
Thank you. I am struggling as I feel forsaken. Nothing comes right for me. Try so hard to live a good life but things just go wrong including financial situation.
Thank you, but things are just getting worse. I was so hoping for a great lentern season but I am just totally torn down, by my son, and brother and sister squabble. I am in the middle and really taking strain.
My son is a drug addict. I am once again feeling like God is forsaking me. I try so hard to follow my faith but I always feel that the pit I am in is getting deeper. I am tired of unanswered prayers no matter how I try. On a very low level of faith right now.
He needs to get help. I have heard in the last few years of some drug addicts having been diagnosed with ADHD after suffering for many years with no one ever knowing this to help them. Will he listen to you? I will continue to pray for God to guide him and for you to have the strength and faith to stay strong. It’s when we are at our lowest that God is carrying us. Please keep praying the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. I am thinking and praying daily for you.
Thank you. My son is going for counseling and I pray that he will be sent away soon for help. I have also sent a prayer request to Loudes, and I can see there is things happening. I will earnestly have to pray for his healing and for him to fight this addiction. He has a 3 year old son who loves him dearly and it breaks my heart because I don’t have a husband to support me as he passed on 16 years ago, so this makes it more difficult for me.
I was so glad to read your msg that your son is going to counseling. Yes, he needs prayers to help him fight his addiction and to persevere. It is a good start. Always remember God is with him and will help him. My son was diagnosed with severe ADHD at 32yrs of age and is now on medication. He could never concentrate on anything, keep still, sleep, work was difficult etc etc.I have prayed for him for years and now I can see how God is answering my prayers and I am still praying. I felt the anguish you… Read more »
This is a wildcard. Will your son see a GP to see if he has ADHD.
Heather
1 year ago
I needed to hear this as I think sometimes I forget that God really does forgive our sins and that is why Jesus was born and died. I am Catholic ….I wish I knew how to tell other Christians this message so that they do not hurt my Catholic friends
Jeane Grobler
1 year ago
Awesome message – As I am forgiven I claim my right standing with GOD Truly blessed to receive your guidance from the Word
Shirley Jenner
1 year ago
I’ve lost my way. So much bad is going on in my life, I can’t find my faith. Please help me.
Bill McConville
1 year ago
Bruce, a friend got me back on track with prayer, Mass & Confession, after a long time of not being interested and i thank him dearly for that – I am learning daily from your videos, which i love and i have hope in my heart that i’ll improve with the information and explanations you give with these videos…..if i’m honest, watching todays video i’d have to say i would be more like the pharisee than the tax collector and my aim now is to change that through prayer and healing……many thanks for the wonderful videos you are sharing for… Read more »
Add a comment
I am sending this to my daughter because she believes that God would never forgive her for all that she has done wrong. Hopefully this will help her.
With my past, I know God forgives all. Peace and healing are found in Him. Forgiveness of self is the hardest.
I agree with you Andrew!
You are so right
I agree with you!
Amen ✝️✝️
I agree 100%
Andrew, I agree with you! Forgiving ourselves is the hardest!
Amen
I agree Andrew, forgiveness of self is the hardest.
This is exactly the way I feel.
Absolutely agree with you Andrew!
I agree with you!
We shall 🙏for her to have a joyfilled reunion with the Heavenly Father, thanking Jesus for making all this possible! 🕊
I’m praying for your daughter. There is forgiveness for her🙏
I sent this video to soooo many people….and get such wonderful responses back….Just found this on Friday and was enthralled by it …LOVE taking notes while listening ….then going over the notes before I listen to the next day’s recording. My prayers are with you and your daughter and that your daughter realizes what an AWESOME and forgiving God we have. many Blessings!
I take notes too. I bought this 40 day Kent journal. Bruce really inspires my “talking to God” and understanding of scriptures. It’s a great idea to take notes
Just to know God’s forgiveness is Healing 🙏
I’ve been there and will pray for your daughter. A priest once suggested to me, after going to confession and still being so distraught, that I should read the dairy of Saint Faustina titled “Divine Mercy in my Soul.” It was very helpful. Even the saints struggled with forgiving self, but by reaching out to God through prayer, a spiritual advisor, reading, etc. They came to realize the depth His love and His endless mercy and forgiveness.
As we plant seeds of God’s love and forgiveness sometimes we just have to trust God and wait for them to grow. May Jesus open your daughters heart to His great love ❤
Our God is a God of mercy and healing. His love is everlasting. Praise God.
Amen 🙏
I’ve never though of Lent about “Healing” but a penance. You stated “Lent is about healing, the healing of us. God is interested in our heart. This was me encountering God today, I heard him and felt him.
Thank you.
Katherine
Aw…so precious! Thanks for sharing!!!😉
This resonated with me as well. I live so many aspects of my life by following the rules without regard for much else. I pray that on this journey of lent I will also be healed. God Bless.
God bless you. Nice comment
I so agree with you that Lent is all about Healing!
I have been awake for most of the night reviewing conversations with two of my children re another who had withheld important information from them and realising how the effects of dysfunction can come down through the family. Only God’s forgiveness can heal these situations and I pray for forgiveness to break the cycle, Lord, Hear my prayer!
I am praying for your family🙏
God heard your prayers, I believe that you are forgiven ,Just the fact that you went to God and told him the wrong you did and asked for forgiveness is the right thing you did and your heart was beening truthful to say what and what was the sin you feel you did.
We have a loving Lord God, and like he says you are forgiven don’t sin again.
Seek him and keep your eyes and heart to Him, pray, and read his word daily.
God bless you 🙏
Relationship, it’s all about the relationship and capturing one’s heart, rather than than getting bogged down in all the rules.
The parable spoke to me. Some believe that keeping the ‘rules’, guarantees them a place in heaven. I am only too aware that I make mistakes and sin. I never take my place in heaven for granted.
Thanks for your insights. Do feel compelled to follow rules and m.aybe forget about people.
I have done wrong but I was not aware what I was doing was immoral. I spent time with an alcoholic priest and paid for his drinks. I rationalized we were spending time entertaining each other. I had no idea the depth of despair in his life, the loss of his prayer time, and I am devastated to say he committed suicide. I went to confession and asked God to forgive my part. I was given absolution but those times weigh heavily on me and I cannot forgive myself.
Dear Jeanne,
I really feel for you. We can get drawn into things beyond our control at times and not see things as they really are until years later. All these issues which are showing up at present highlight the need to spend time in prayer so that we can see things as they really are, I will pray for you, Suzanne
If you expect God to forgive you, be kind to yourself and forgive yourself. It does not mean forgetting what you did.
Jeanne, God forgives you! please take this burden off your shoulders and continue to spread your goodness to all the others in your life – like you always do . Move forward with lessons learned and compassion following.
Do not let Satan bring condemnation to you! Once you receive absolution that is over….. clean slate! AMEN!!! 🙏. Receive His Mercy, grace and amazing love! Do not waste the beautiful gift of today!!!
Dear Jeanne, I really wanted to reach out to you as a recovering Alcoholic. Alcohol to the Alcoholic is a formidable foe. Cunning, baffling, powerful. I can say to you with my hand on my heart, you are not responsible for what happened. Many of us are unable or unwilling to take the steps that are necessary and lifelong to recover. Please please do not blame yourself. As an alcoholic I am responsible for me and my own recovery but most certainly if I do not take steps to arrest my disease then I will end up either insane or… Read more »
Praying for your healing and for those in your life who support your healing
Thank you Kathleen. That’s so kind of you. God bless. 😊🙏💚
Even after reconciliation, made with absolute genuine remorse, faithfully performing my penance, etc sometimes I still struggle with the notion that God has actually forgiven me and I truly can put the matter aside. I feel I have more work to do to get through that “doubting Thomas” struggle and truly believe God has forgiven me, I need God to increase my faith.
Sometimes I feel like that too and hope God have forgiven me.Please God incease my faith.
The morning I realzsed God does not want us to stress about the passed as he has forgiven
Hi Bruce, I needed to hear this message. In the day to day busyness I sometimes forget.
Wonderful and healing of heart.
Come and ask to be loved and be set free. How I want to set my burden down.
Thanks Bruce. I needed to hear your message today. I constantly struggle to pray from the heart and feel my prayers are just words without meaning. God bless.
Thank you Bruce for today’s message- I love starting my day pondering what I have absorbed and trying to put it into practise during the day ahead.
God bless everyone on this Lenten journey – especially those for the first time.
Amen.
Today’s message is one we need to hear over and over again. Thank you Bruce because the message of God’s love and mercy is healing balm to our hearts. God bless you and yours.
Hi Bruce, thank you very much for the beautiful message.
I feel strongly that as women we are conditioned to feel that we are responsible for everyone and everything and this leads to us being unable to accept forgiveness and to forgive ourselves, Suzanne
Thank you this has helped me with hanging on to any guilt over little things and thinking I am not a good person by failing in my catholic faith by forgetting to pray because I have had a busy day or missing a day not saying the Rosary I feel a lot of guilt.
Thank you Bruce I really needed to hear this this morning In healing of our passed I sometimes think when things in our life’s are thrown at us and things go wrong Is it a punishment from God in what we have failed in our passed ????? I do question that But I keeping asking God to keep forgiving me And at times I say God I can’t anymore this one is too painful for me This one is hard to carry Please pray for me to hear Gods voice clearer in my heart Pray for my family Thank you… Read more »
Can that same desire of temptation be transformed into some good, a thought, a word, an action or deed?
For nearly two years I have been daily visitng my wife in an aged care facility. She has dementia. Whilst there I have struck up conversations with another resident who is a priest and who now suffers from dementia. Yesterday as I was leaving, he stopped me and asked me how I was and I responded asking how he was. He told me that I might think I just come each day to see my wife but he has been watching me and has been inspired by my continued coming. I can tell in his voice that he is more… Read more »
Oh what a beautiful message that God told you through this Priest.God is seeing what we do and that yes we can help bring His Kingdom here to Earth. Well done, good and faithful servant. You are faithful in the little, thats really what God asks us all to do.How blessed your wife and family are to have you in their lives. Gods blessings Rosemary
Yes. What a beautiful message. Heartfelt & Grace filled. God Bless you David. Keep up God’s work in your life.
Beautiful.
God Bless.
Wonderfully profound
So beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!
I am loving these daily devotionals! Especially the reassurance that God is near far away from ME and that he forgives!!
Thanks Bruce,
I ask he lord to work in me more and more each day and what better way than through lent. May God use me to bring others to him for he is our God and we all need him.
I like the expression that Lent is a healing time. Thank you Bruce Downes for your insight.
Bruce, thank you for the nice Sunday sermon. Now that i know God has forgiven me through my prayers and talks with him, i can also forgive my 2 Sisters, who did me wrong. Thanks Bruce , for helping me see that we are forgiven. Amen
Please do not keep repeating yourself,that is frustrating for me,otherwise good
Like so many commenting here I believe God has forgive me as “far as the East is from the West” however I can’t seem to obtain that freedom that comes with self forgiveness. The shame the memories are still occupying my mind. Lord Jesus please heal me so I may have life to the full.
When a memory tries to occupy your mind send a prayer of thanks to Him for His forgiveness, love grace and mercy! Gratitude works wonders!!!!
Can we just change the definitions of words?
Penance: voluntary self-punishment inflicted as an outward expression of repentance for having done wrong,
Not outward expressions of transformations. If we can’t even agree on what words mean, how am I supposed to trust anything you say?
Thank you Bruce! Rules without relationship become senseless. And when our hearts are with God – these so called rules become expressions of love. At least that’s how I experience it. <3
Please explain to me how I can have a relationship with one I’m unable to interact with, one who never responds when talked to, one who never does anything that one in a relationship does. From all accounts all he ever seems to do is judge from afar, which doesn’t sound like a healthy relationship in any sense of the word.
We shall lift you up in prayer!
So my questions get ignored, great, how ever so helpful.
So great is His mercy and love… you shall see🕊. Read “A Case for Christ””. It would be very helpful to your hurting heart🙏
I’ve already read it, have it right here. I basically did a book report on it and how each of his arguments are fallacious and poorly thought out.
Keep searching! You will find the answers you are looking for🙏😉
See that’s what I’ve been told my entire life, because none of this god stuff had ever made sense, even when I was a child. When is enough searching enough? 25 yrs? 50 yrs? A century? How long before enough is enough?
That fact that you are searching still says God has you on His radar!🙏. “Father God move mightily on this child, give favor and blessing and whatever it takes to make Him know the truth! “ You never leave us or forsake us! Perhaps 1-800-639-5433 you will find the answers you need for New Life! Don’t give up….we will continue to pray for you! He answers all our prayers!!!
D’you every notice, though, that those who are eternally positive are those who’ve already gotten their answer. I honestly don’t understand how you can say he never forsakes anyone. Especially with stories like Jaycee Fugard, kidnapped at 11, kept hostage and raped incessantly for 18 years. But according to theists god was right there, by her side, watching, doing absolutely nothing, as she was impregnated twice by her captor. That certainly doesn’t sound like a loving being in any sense of the word to me.
Jesus is the answer!! God will turn evil into good! Keep searching and we will keep praying for you not to be deceived! God loves you even if you don’t acknowledge Him as Lord of your life yet.
He is closer than you realize😉
You might be right. But if he is close, and he’s been choosing to ignore those of us who’ve been searching for him for our entire lives, why would I want a relationship with something like that? Imagine you were kidnapped as a child. But every day from where you were held, chained to a wall, there was a neighbor who could see you. He never helped you, never spoke to you, never comforted you, just watched you as you were held captive. You finally escape and ask why he never helped you, he says he didn’t want you love… Read more »
🤷🏻♀️I was abused as a child! And He turned that evil into good! I will pray for you and ask Him to help you see things differently! Be blessed! You probably are but don’t see it! “Open blind eyes Father to your amazing goodness!” He is going to move mightily! 🕊
How is it possible that you look at that as a good thing? That was a horrible and traumatic experience, that was not good. If this truly is the all powerful all loving being you believe him to be, the one who created the universe with a thought, yet he still was powerless about stopping your abuse? You were able to turn your life around, you, not him. He did nothing. Open your eyes, Sandie, see the strength within yourself
Dear one my eyes our open… the strength with in me is the Holy Spirit! 🙏for you and your future which is in His hands! Jesus died for you! That’s truth, believe or or not it does not change the truth🙏
Ok, right there. I am looking to find what is true. But some old story translated a dozen times from scraps of parchment no bigger than a credit card, only tells you the story, it in no way verifies it as being the truth. You have a lot of pretty words, but as of yet nothing to back them up. I also don’t understand the mindset that jesus sacrificed anything. According to the story he was crucified, tombed up for 36 hrs, then was back to partying it up with his apostles. And god didn’t sacrifice his son either, because… Read more »
Do that exercise and I will pray for truth to become evident! There is a Heaven and a hell. Eternity is forever your Spirit will live on! where it lives is up to you free will! Prayers for a mighty move of God!
Ready? Do an exercise to “write down the times he carried me through my journey”
Done, he’s never helped me do anything, ever. Not sure what this exercise was supposed to help with, but it just reiterates the fact that your god either does not exist, or doesn’t care enough for me to know about it.
“There is a heaven and a hell”? How do you know that? Based on what?
“You Spirit will live on”? Based on what? We have zero evidence of a spirit.
Stay close to this ministry and you will know the Truth! Never stop praying for you🤗
I’m sorry, but unless someone has any actual, reliable, demonstrable evidence for this god, I fear I’d only bring everybody down by remaining here. I’m glad you feel nice, but flowery language doesn’t do anything for me. If this all powerful all loving god can’t muster up even the smallest bit of tangibkle demonstrable evidence for his existence that leads to one of two most likely reasons. Either A – he does not exist, just in your imagination. Or B – he does exist, just doesn’t care enough about me personally, so why give me any evidence that he’s apparently… Read more »
A very good exercise that would benefit you would be to get a journal, pen or pencil sit in a chair and go over your entire life in 5 year increments birth to 5, etc and reminisce with God who knows everything about you and write down the times He carried you through your journey! You’re still here🤗 that one thing to be thankful for!
If I had even a single example of ‘god carrying me’ don’t you think I wouldn’t be able to say I’ve never interacted with a god or supernatural entity of any kind? I have never experienced a god. Period. I’ve never experienced anything that couldn’t be explained by natural phenomena, coincidence, or misremembering an event.
You make me smile.. it’s just a matter of time till He captures your heart🕊. He loves every one the same, no favorites and you can’t change that whether you believe or don’t! Everyone has great worth and value😉
I don’t know where you get this everpresent optimism, but kudos to you I guess. I’m glad I could brighten your day, the world needs more smiles ; ) Feel like I’m raining on your parade, but where d’you get this idea that he loves everyone the same? For arguments sake I’ll grant that he exists, but how could there be so many in my position, earnestly and sincerely searching, for decades, only to find bubkis? If there are those who have had personal experiences with the creator of the universe, and others who have only reason to doubt his… Read more »
It’s just a matter of time!! He is there and waits for you! His word says “I knew you before you were formed in your mother womb!!! “ He has huge plans for you! Ask and receive that your joy may be not only full be overflowing! Read Psalm 91!!! Psalm 139!! Get ready for a mighty more of the Holy Spirit!😉. God’s timing is perfect!
I know you probably don’t understand this, but can you imagine how exceedingly frustrating that is? To be told about this amazing all loving being since I was a kid, who has this gift of faith so that you and he can have this amazing relationship. Only to never receive it? And whenever talking to some theist, to get the same answers, how I’m just supposed to give it time. Ask and you’ll receive? What d’you think I’ve been doing? I keep asking, I keep getting no responses. Psalm 139, the only part of that that has any application with… Read more »
Are you specific with your prayers??? Tell Him exactly what you need…..and if it His will you will receive it if not He has something better in mind! I will continue to pray for your breakthrough! Until then dear one hang in there! Time for rest…night
Have I been specific? lol, Hon I’ve been trying the prayer thing since I was 8, so I’m sure my prayers have ranged from asking for a toy to asking for help on an exam to homework, to asking for the confidence to ask a girl out to just some kind of evidence that he actually exists. That’s where my prayers stopped. I spent the last few yrs of my tenure as a church goer just asking from some kind of evidence, because that’s how my mind works. And after years of zero responses, what other conclusion is possible?
Focus on the newest message from Bruce! Don’t give up! Help is on the way! 🙏
The one today? About asking if I feel like there’s something god won’t be able to forgive me for? Not to sound too arrogant or self righteous, but I don’t feel like I’ve done anything that needs forgiveness from the almighty creator of the universe. For two main reasons: 1 – if this is how he made me, don’t see why I should apologize for it, and 2 – I’m not in the habit of apologizing to someone I’ve never been introduced to. If god knows every little thing about me, and has never even attempted to approach me, that’s… Read more »
🙏🤗keep listening to Bruce.. God will meet your every need!👍you’ll see🕊
I don’t mean to sound unappreciative, I do appreciate the time you’ve taken talking with me, but we seem to have gotten into a rut. Where no matter what I say your responses remain the same. -Keep listening-It will happen-give it more time-Hang in there-Matter of time-Matter of time- Your god may be outside of time, where he can exist at no point in history and all points in history, but I can’t. I have but this one life, and time moves in only one direction. He’s had innumerable chances to make himself known, and not just to me, I’m… Read more »
I trust in Jesus, the Christ of God who is our Father as you should also🕊. You will join the Blood Bought and Paid for Family it is His Will non shall perish!! I have prayed for you and probably join your mother in this request for you to know the truth! Stick with Bruce through the Lenten season!! You will be very blessed!
ok, do me a favor and reread what you wrote to me, except try and read it from my point of view. You trust in Jesus, that’s great for you, but I have no reason to place trust in a storybook character. I don’t mean to belittle your beliefs, but to me that’s all he’s ever been, some character in a story. And everything you claim about him, amounts to basically me telling you about Spider-Man and everything he’s able to do. You’ve never interacted with Spider-Man, and you know people don’t walk up walls or shoot webbing at bad… Read more »
🙏. You may not speak or text of My Lord and Savior like this! I will continue to pray for you! You are So very deceived! 🙏. Stick with Bruce but I will not respond to you anymore, but keep you in my prayers!
I apologize, I did not mean to offend you.
Which part did I say that was inaccurate?
If you don’t tell me what I said that was wrong, how am I supposed to know to not do it in the future?
Thank goodness for God’s forgiveness,we need the world to forgive each other for PEACE. Gid Bless. John
Thank you for the daily emails & for your prayer formulas (PERSPECTIVE; FABRIC etc) Another one that I have been told is ACTS: Adoration; Contrition; Thanksgiving; Supplication.
I am finding the Lenten journey very beneficial, challenging & enjoyable. Blessings to you & all your team. D
Thank you so much Bruce.It is for the first time that I join You but I already feel the difference and from The Weekly I have started following the steps on the “PERSONAL PRAYER”.Forgiving oneself is very but with today’s TALK Ihave realised that it is possible.
Bruce it was encouraging to hear the message again or re affirming, that Lent is a time of healing and God does forgive us for past sins
Thank you, Bruce, for giving us a different perspective on God’s love, forgiveness and mercy. Like so many, I grew up in an era when it was all about following the rules and we were only taught about an angry God.
First time here. Thank you Bruce for your assuring and meaningful talk.
Contemplating on your messages makes my heart feel so light! Thanks Bruce. I wish I heard these effective messages a long time ago when I was young and stupid!
Hi Aloysius,
Thanks for your Message. Using your words when I was ‘young and stupid,’ because I was at times, I never understood these things. I have a feeling I was told some of them but I was either too busy or too full of my own thoughts to surrender to God enough, thinking I knew best. I thank God for His forgiveness and that He heals our past and protects our minds and hearts from yesterday’s mistakes. This is true for you and everyone else today.
Thanks for writing.
God bless
Bruce – The Catholic Guy
His ability to Forgive, Heal and Restore us is just amazing 👏. I am so thankful 🙏 for this ❤.
Thanks for the daily lessons thru Lent. Very informative, interesting, daily lessons thru Lent. Your lessons are extremely meaningful. Started with Ash Wednesday, and know that daily, I can look forward to being taught every day. Thanks Bruce. God Bless…
Forgiveness of self is difficult and requires constantly reminding oneself of what God has said and choosing to stand on that truth.
I’m really enjoying these lent talks. I’m not a catholic, but went to a catholic convent in Windsor . Thank you Bruce
Libby
I have been away from the church for some time. I’ve done this before and now find myself back in the same pattern. I don’t know why. It hurts. I’ve vowed to go back for Lent. I’m also engaging in the readings and praying each day. This practice always blessed me with strength. I feel so weak now. Please, pray for me.
Mary Ann, I went away years ago when I lost my husband. Then during lockdown I started praying the rosary, then I found Bruce and lent last year.
It brought me back, Jesus has showered me with blessings and I now realise that while I walked away He did not. Lent is a great time to return.
Keep praying, I will also pray for you. God Bless.
Thank you, Maureen. That gives me hope.
God is amazing. I have felt the Lord’s healing today. As we all have things in our hearts that needs healing ♥
Forgiving oneself for bad choices we made in the past is a difficult one, because we felt that at the time it was the correct choice, even though we hurt others. 🙏
I thank God for this message , I so needed to hear this…we as sinners know the wrong we did and sometimes we can’t forgive ourselves but knowing GOD forgave us , refreshes us in our journey forward…
Thanks
This lent is been challenging so far. My brother and sister are at logger heads with each other. My addict son is causing me to wander away from what I had wanted to follow. This has been a difficult time since lent started and I am praying for wisdom and strengh
I will pray for you Alicia, pray the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet each day.
Thank you. I am struggling as I feel forsaken. Nothing comes right for me. Try so hard to live a good life but things just go wrong including financial situation.
Sometimes stages of our life are very difficult and overwhelming. But God is always with us. Have faith and pray with your heart.
Hi Alicia, I’m thinking of you as I pray for you. I hope things are okay with you.
Hi Alicia, I’m thinking of you as I pray for you. I hope things are okay with you.
Thank you, but things are just getting worse. I was so hoping for a great lentern season but I am just totally torn down, by my son, and brother and sister squabble. I am in the middle and really taking strain.
I don’t know if you got my last msg appears I sent it to myself.
This is a wildcard. Will your son see a GP to see if he has ADHD.
My son is a drug addict. I am once again feeling like God is forsaking me. I try so hard to follow my faith but I always feel that the pit I am in is getting deeper. I am tired of unanswered prayers no matter how I try. On a very low level of faith right now.
He needs to get help. I have heard in the last few years of some drug addicts having been diagnosed with ADHD after suffering for many years with no one ever knowing this to help them. Will he listen to you? I will continue to pray for God to guide him and for you to have the strength and faith to stay strong. It’s when we are at our lowest that God is carrying us. Please keep praying the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. I am thinking and praying daily for you.
Hi Alicia, I just wanted to contact you to let you know that I am still praying for you, your son and your family and will continue to do so.
Hi Alicia, I just wanted to contact you to let you know that I am still praying for you, your son and your family and will continue to do so.
Thank you. My son is going for counseling and I pray that he will be sent away soon for help. I have also sent a prayer request to Loudes, and I can see there is things happening. I will earnestly have to pray for his healing and for him to fight this addiction. He has a 3 year old son who loves him dearly and it breaks my heart because I don’t have a husband to support me as he passed on 16 years ago, so this makes it more difficult for me.
I was so glad to read your msg that your son is going to counseling. Yes, he needs prayers to help him fight his addiction and to persevere. It is a good start. Always remember God is with him and will help him. My son was diagnosed with severe ADHD at 32yrs of age and is now on medication. He could never concentrate on anything, keep still, sleep, work was difficult etc etc.I have prayed for him for years and now I can see how God is answering my prayers and I am still praying. I felt the anguish you… Read more »
Thank you, I am keeping you in prayer too.
This is a wildcard. Will your son see a GP to see if he has ADHD.
I needed to hear this as I think sometimes I forget that God really does forgive our sins and that is why Jesus was born and died. I am Catholic ….I wish I knew how to tell other Christians this message so that they do not hurt my Catholic friends
Awesome message – As I am forgiven I claim my right standing with GOD
Truly blessed to receive your guidance from the Word
I’ve lost my way. So much bad is going on in my life, I can’t find my faith. Please help me.
Bruce, a friend got me back on track with prayer, Mass & Confession, after a long time of not being interested and i thank him dearly for that – I am learning daily from your videos, which i love and i have hope in my heart that i’ll improve with the information and explanations you give with these videos…..if i’m honest, watching todays video i’d have to say i would be more like the pharisee than the tax collector and my aim now is to change that through prayer and healing……many thanks for the wonderful videos you are sharing for… Read more »
You have uplifted me today as from now onwards I will pray whole heartedly, thanks Bruce,am looking forward to be in this journey with you.