 | Finding Rest in Humility When we move low, back toward the soil from which we can learn the lessons of our true humanity, we are able to enter a kind of peace. Humility is not about struggle or diminishment but rather is the relief that we are not God, that we are mere creatures. Wendell Berry gives voice to this truth in one of his most popular poems, "The Peace of Wild Things": When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light.
For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. — from the book Wendell Berry and the Given Life by Ragan Sutterfield |  MorningOffering.com | †Saint Quote
"Help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown. Give me the faith to leave old ways and break fresh ground with You."
— St. Brendan † MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"Do not suppose that after advancing the soul to such a state God abandons it so easily that it is light work for the devil to regain it. When His Majesty sees it leaving Him, He feels the loss so keenly that He gives it in many a way a thousand secret warnings which reveal to it the hidden danger. In conclusion, let us strive to make constant progress: we ought to feel great alarm if we do not find ourselves advancing, for without doubt the evil one must be planning to injure us in some way; it is impossible for a soul that has come to this state not to go still farther, for love is never idle. Therefore it is a very bad sign when one comes to a standstill in virtue."
— St. Teresa of Avila, p.99
AN EXCERPT FROM
Interior Castle †VERSE OF THE DAY
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23 |  click to read more | | ST. ZITA OF LUCCA St. Zita (d. 1271) was born into poverty in Tuscany, Italy. Her mother taught her to develop a strong prayer life, which, combined with her happy disposition, enabled her to seek God's will in all her life circumstances. At the age of twelve she became a servant for a noble Italian family. The family she served lived near a church, and Zita would rise early to attend daily Mass before beginning her duties. She saw her work as being in the service of God, which she executed with care and diligence. Because of her goodness she suffered harsh treatment and even physical abuse at the hands of both her employers and the other servants. From her patient endurance of such mistreatment, Zita's humility and virtue became evident to all. She was eventually respected and promoted to a leadership role of managing the entire household and its servants. Throughout her life she exemplified hard work, gentleness, and a life of prayer, despite being overworked. She died at the age of 60 serving the same family, and after her death many miracles occurred through her intercession. The family contributed to the cause for her canonization. St. Zita is an incorruptible, and her relics are kept in the Basilica of St. Frediano where she attended Mass. She is the patron saint of maids, domestic servants, butlers, waiters, rape victims, lost keys, and people ridiculed for their piety. St. Zita's feast day is April 27th. | Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter Lectionary: 280
Reading I Acts 11:19-26 Those who had been scattered by the persecution
that arose because of Stephen
went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,
preaching the word to no one but Jews.
There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however,
who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well,
proclaiming the Lord Jesus.
The hand of the Lord was with them
and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians. Responsorial Psalm 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7 R. (117:1a) All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His foundation upon the holy mountains the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion, more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you, O city of God!
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I tell of Egypt and Babylon among those who know the LORD;
Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia: "This man was born there."
And of Zion they shall say: "One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her is the Most High LORD."
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled: "This man was born there."
And all shall sing, in their festive dance: "My home is within you."
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia. Alleluia Jn 10:27 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 10:22-30 The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem.
It was winter.
And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,
"How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
Jesus answered them, "I told you and you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father's name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father's hand.
The Father and I are one." | Daily Meditation: John 10:22-30 If you are the Christ, tell us plainly. (John 10:24) The Jews of Jesus' time had an idea of what their Messiah would do when he showed up. He would expel their foreign occupiers, rule as king, and bring peace to the whole world. Sounds great, right? No wonder the Jewish leaders in today's Gospel sounded so excited when they said to Jesus, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly" (John 10:24). We can sense Jesus' frustration in his answer. They had seen his words and actions. He had made it pretty obvious that, yes, he was the Messiah. Yet they still didn't see what was right in front of them. Jesus was not what these Jews expected. They were hoping for a warrior, and instead, they got a Messiah who spoke about turning the other cheek (Luke 6:29). They were hoping for a military leader who would organize a revolt against Rome. Instead, Jesus poured his time into teaching and healing the poor, the sick, and the rejected. Instead of bringing peace, Jesus seemed to be stirring up all kinds of controversy. Yet there were some who saw beneath the surface of this humble preacher. Jesus called these followers his "sheep" who hear his voice and trust in his way of leadership (John 10:27). He had changed their lives, and they became committed to him. Over time, they came to realize that the kingdom Jesus was preaching about was not constrained by ethnicity or borders or the politics of the time. In his kingdom, everyone was welcome; everyone was invited to live as he did—in mercy, humility, and self-sacrifice. God has a way of surprising us with his generosity, and Jesus is the ultimate expression of that generosity. He is a Savior far beyond what any of us could wish for or deserve. He is the visible image of the invisible God, a mystery that he expresses in today's Gospel when he says, "The Father and I are one" (John 10:30). He offers us something more precious than what any worldly leader can: unfailing love, healing for our wounded souls, and a life in eternity with God. "Jesus, I believe that you are the Messiah of God. Teach me to be like you." Acts 11:19-26
Psalm 87:1-7 |  clickable | Those who have fallen into the habit of being suspicious about everything, little by little lose the peace of mind that comes from trusting confidence in God.
— Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis)
from his book The Way of Humility |  Listen to 2cents Podcast Going4th | | my2cents:
"The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number who believed turned to the Lord."
There is something about a true believer that makes for a world of a difference. There are some of us who say we believe, but we doubt. But a true believer makes a world of a difference. Let's keep a note on that as I attempt to help you believe all the more! | We pray in the Psalms:
"They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled: "This man was born there."
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
"My home is within you." All you nations, praise the Lord."
A dwelling place is brought up. And I am amazed at how, we, as a people, can become a dwelling place. What kind of a dwelling place are we? And how about yourself as an individual, what kind of a dwelling place are you? Are you a resort of some kind for all sorts of lackadaisical whims that move you afloat in the sea of the world? A place with no doors or windows, just wide open? Or are you a holy temple, a sanctuary, a safe Haven for all things virtuous and holy? Because one has no protection in the first, and in the second, one can make a fortress for God to come and dwell. | In the Holy Gospel we heard: "The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter."
What do you know about the feast of Dedication? A quick search turns up: ▪ The Feast of Dedication is mentioned in the New Testament Book of John 10:22.
▪ The story of Hanukkah, which tells the origins of the Feast of Dedication, is recorded in the First Book of Maccabees. (Taken out of Protestant bibles)
▪ Hanukkah is called the Feast of Dedication because it celebrates the Maccabees' victory over Greek oppression and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.
▪ A miraculous event occurred during the rededication of the Temple when God caused the eternal flame to burn for eight days on one day's worth of oil.
▪ To remember this miracle of provision, candles are lighted and burned during the eight days of the Feast of Dedication.
| ▪ | The Feast of Dedication is mentioned in the New Testament Book of John 10:22. | | ▪ | The story of Hanukkah, which tells the origins of the Feast of Dedication, is recorded in the First Book of Maccabees. (Taken out of Protestant bibles) | | ▪ | Hanukkah is called the Feast of Dedication because it celebrates the Maccabees' victory over Greek oppression and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. | | ▪ | A miraculous event occurred during the rededication of the Temple when God caused the eternal flame to burn for eight days on one day's worth of oil. | | ▪ | To remember this miracle of provision, candles are lighted and burned during the eight days of the Feast of Dedication. | | And so, in this feast time, we celebrate the dedication of God Himself, the LIGHT Himself in Christmas. And the light is turned on forever. HE dedicates Himself to His people, His flock. The Jewish coveted temple was destroyed and Jesus made a new temple...in the heart of Man.
Take comfort, for He has chosen to reside in You. Will you then, make a beautiful temple for Him to live in?
But how can we if we do not believe?
The Gospel says they approached Him: "If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
Jesus answered them, "I told you and you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father's name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep." And once again He said: "My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish." How many times have we asked our Lord to prove Himself? I had a guy ask me once about things I've seen for Him to believe. I don't remember what I told him in response, but I know I must've relayed the miracles I've been a part of to witness. Fast forwards years later, he sort of believes, I have seen him trying harder.
How hard is it? How hard is what? To believe. Because, to believe to me, means letting go, dying to myself, and becoming a saint, a Holy person for God. That's what belief means to me. To be a living light, a temple of light, a refuge for sinners to come and be comforted and encouraged.
I am encouraging you right now. Believe and you shall hear. Hear and you shall see. See and repent. And then be-living thankfulness...and thank our Lord for an opportunity to live forever...just to be able to thank Him! Let us pray:
Lord, Forever is not enough to realize a true thanksgiving for Your immense life, and a life Thou call us to live with Thee. I praise You as of right now, I worship You as of right now, how can I make a return for such a gift...come inside of Me and allow Me to serve Thee with all My Heart, Mind, and Soul!! | from your brother in Christ our Lord,
adrian |  click to hear | Random Bible Verse from online generator: Philippians 2:9–11
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
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