 | "Clear, Precious, and Beautiful" Francis wrote his immortal Canticle of the Creatures while in Clare's care at San Damiano. The incredible power and poetry of this song has long fascinated all who read, study, or sing it. One word in that poem, written in Umbrian dialect, and written during a time of daily nursing by Clare, catches the eye. It is the word clarite. "Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful" (Canticle, 5). This is the adjective for the stars. They are "clarite et pretiose et belle,"—clear, precious, beautiful. In the long dark time of his illness, was it Clare who was this "pretiose, belle, clarite" companion whose light helped him endure encroaching blindness and searing pain? She had been—and would remain—the North Star for all who wanted to follow his way. — from the book Light of Assisi: The Story of Saint Clare by Margaret Carney, OSF |  MorningOffering.com | †Saint Quote
"Our Lord has created persons for all states in life, and in all of them we see people who achieved sanctity by fulfilling their obligations well."
— St. Anthony Mary Claret † MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"Always give good heed to the Word of God, whether you hear or read it in private, or hearken to it when publicly preached: listen with attention and reverence; seek to profit by it, and do not let the precious words fall unheeded; receive them into your heart as a costly balsam; imitate the Blessed Virgin who 'kept all the sayings' concerning her Son, 'in her heart.' And remember that according as we hearken to and receive God's words, so will He hearken and receive our supplications."
— St. Francis de Sales
AN EXCERPT FROM
An Introduction to the Devout Life † VERSE OF THE DAY
"Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from thee, and thou rulest over all. In thy hand are power and might; and in thy hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank thee, our God, and praise thy glorious name."
1 Chronicles 29:11-13 |  click to read more | | ST. HUNNA St. Hunna (d. 679 A.D.) was born in Alsace, France. She was the virtuous daughter of a duke, and she married a similarly virtuous nobleman. Hunna and her husband did not indulge in unnecessary luxuries according to their high state in life, and instead detached themselves from their riches by opening their home to the poor and assisting them in their need. St. Deodatus, a bishop who resigned from his See, came to live with the holy couple for a time. St. Hunna and her husband greatly profited from his religious instruction and grew in sanctity as a result. When Hunna bore a son, she named him after St. Deodatus. This child, raised by such holy parents, later joined a monastery and also became a saint. After her husband's death Hunna continued to spend her life serving the poor, especially women. No task was too menial for her. She tended to the poor and the sick and regularly, including their laundry and mending, even to the point of exhaustion. For this she was nicknamed the "Holy Washerwoman." She also gave away her wealth and property to build churches and monasteries. So many miracles were attributed to her that Pope Leo X canonized her in 1520. St. Hunna is the patron saint of laundresses and her feast day is April 15. | Thursday of the Second Week of Easter Lectionary: 270
Reading I Acts 5:27-33 When the court officers had brought the Apostles in
and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,
the high priest questioned them,
"We gave you strict orders did we not,
to stop teaching in that name.
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching
and want to bring this man's blood upon us."
But Peter and the Apostles said in reply,
"We must obey God rather than men.
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things,
as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." When they heard this,
they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death. Responsorial Psalm 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20 R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Taste and see how good the LORD is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man, but out of them all the LORD delivers him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia. Alleluia Jn 20:29 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;
blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 3:31-36 The one who comes from above is above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him. | Daily Meditation: John 3:31-36 He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. (John 3:34) Let's lift our hearts in a prayer of thanks to our God today. As today's Gospel reminds us, he has no limitations and does not have to restrain his generosity: "Father, I give you thanks that you don't ration your time and attention. Even when I haven't set aside regular time to spend with you, you are still available as soon as I turn my heart in your direction. You hear the prayers I shoot your way, like arrows, about the people and needs I encounter. You're never too busy for me. Even when I forget about you or turn my attention to something else, you remain right there in me and alongside me. "Father, I give you praise that you don't ration your love for me. You have loved me every instant of my existence, and nothing I do can change your unconditional love. You are eager to forgive me and show me your love in the way I need it most. It may be in the beautiful world you've created for me to enjoy. It may be through the friends who share my life. It may be through 'love notes' in Scripture or song. It may even be through special scents or foods that take me back to my childhood or remind me of special occasions. You can use anything to show me that I'm your treasured child. "Father, I glorify you because you don't ration the gifts I need to say yes and serve you. When it feels like I can't go on, you give me strength and hope. When I'm puzzled about the best course of action, you nudge me in the right direction by closing doors or giving me peace about a choice or path. You even bring wise advice my way. When I don't know how I can forgive, you remind me that there is no limit to your mercy. You show me how to accept that mercy and share it with the people in my life. "Father, I am so grateful that you don't ration your gift of the Holy Spirit. Your Spirit lives in me and opens my eyes to your patience, to your love, to your call for my life. You give me your Spirit to show me the way to love and follow you." "Lord, I long to receive even more of your Holy Spirit today!" Acts 5:27-33
Psalm 34:2, 9, 17-20 |  clickable | The gifts of salvation and of faith are not just to be admired passively, but to be cultivated so that they can grow in our lives.
— Tom Peterson and Ryan Hanning
from their book The Willpower Advantage |  Podcast Going4th | Hear the 2cents read by brother adrian. https://going4th.podbean.com/ | my2cents: "We gave you strict orders did we not, to stop teaching in that name." In what name? The most holiest name on Earth. The name of our Christ, our Savior. I heard someone blurt it out this morning at work and I told them it was a sin to just say His name the way he did. And that man was my BOSS! LOL. I was waiting for the punishment to come my way. But do you remember the act of charity? If he listens, His soul might be saved. If he doesn't? Watch what the Apostles tell the leaders of the Jews: "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree."
Oh boy. This enraged the leaders. They were in for it now. All because of the name. More would die. More have died, and more will die for that name. Notice in the world how darkness works. Religions aren't really attacking each other, it is evil attacking religions. And evil lies saying religions are attacking one another. Those "leaders" had a sword on their hands and were gutting and cutting all who got in their path of ...leadership. You see? So let us see the truth for what it is. The stars are shining, and darkness tries to swipe them from the sky. So let your lights shine on and the sky will always have light for the faithful! | We pray: "The LORD confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. When the just cry out, the LORD hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. The Lord hears the cry of the poor."
When have the just cried out? Think of the many times in the Old Testament, the just cried out. And think of how our Lord cried out from the cross. "Father! Forgive them! For they know not what they are doing!". And we don't know what we are doing. We think we do. Everyone thinks they are right! LOL. How is that possible that a million different ideas be all right? Forgive us Father! We must then, rely on one thing alone...holiness, an openness to God's amazing grace. Only then will our prayers be heard. Be Holy His! Remember? | Our Lord said "But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony."
Do you believe in Jesus? Do you believe in the Holy Spirit? Do you reject Satan? All these are questions we hear in an exorcism prayer we all respond to during a baptism, even of an infant. They are renewal promises. | V. Do you reject Satan?
R. I do.
V. And all his works?
R. I do.
V. And all his empty promises?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.
V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
R. Amen. Then if you believe, truly, we must believe every last drop of God's Word, Jesus. Jesus becomes the mouth of God, and you know what that means! What He says becomes. What He issues forth is made reality. And so, we must be holy and righteous to have our prayers answered. This is why people flock to holy people for prayers, like saints. You too can be a person that people go to for prayer, and do it. And don't say "i'll pray later" but do it right then and there and then go and offer private prayers. And you know what other prayers are super powerful? Charismatic prayers of renewal. Those kind that make us unite together and lift up all our prayers together. And guess where this happens most often? In Holy Mass, in the collect, in the offerings, in our singing and praising and worshiping and adoring Jesus in the Eucharist. Our Lord ends today with: "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him." The wrath of God? Wait...what? Nobody likes to talk about God's wrath, only those who like to insult the church talks about evil and how God can be so bad. Evil points fingers.
What is the wrath? Is it really hell? Hell is scary, because there is no hope. Hell is bad, because it is a place for those who choose themselves over God Himself. Hell is suffering and torment. Some say world wars are like hell. It depends where you were at when all hell was wanting to break loose, to have a real experience of the inhumanity and human casualties. But, take this: Add up all the deaths of all the wars in human history, and they will not equal to the deaths of unborn babies killed in the womb. What an injustice! What an atrocity! Do me a favor. Next time you hear an obnoxious baby or toddler, or kid, praise God for that life! Sure they need correction, but they need so much love.
And now, I'm not concerned about the age of that child, because they could be 60 or 70 and still need this kind of love and correction. And that's what God does from the cross. Guides, and gives. It is only those who believed Moses when he raised up the bronze serpent, that were healed.
It is only us who believe Jesus on the cross that will be saved, not just healed. Lord, Your majesty on the cross is a message that will never be forgotten. Because it was written with blood. The King, said the inscription. You are my King. I will cherish Your crown of thorns. I will bow in reverence, I will kneel in Your honor, I will believe. I pray that we become everything You hope for us and our lives You have given us. Help us heal, and love one another to Heaven!! | from your brother in Christ our Lord,
adrian | Random online bible verse from a random verse generator: Romans 8:37
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
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