†Saint Quote
"When you awake in the night, transport yourself quickly in spirit before the Tabernacle, saying: 'Behold, my God, I come to adore You, to praise, thank, and love you, and to keep you company with all the Angels.'"
— St. John Vianney †MEDITATION OF THE DAY†
"My Lord, I offer you myself in turn as a sacrifice of thanksgiving. You have died for me, and I in turn make myself over to you. I am not my own. You have bought me; I will by my own act and deed complete the purchase. My wish is to be separated from everything of this world; to cleanse myself simply from sin; to put away from me even what is innocent, if used for its own sake, and not for yours. I put away reputation and honor, and influence, and power, for my praise and strength shall be in you. Enable me to carry out what I profess."
— St. John Henry Newman, p. 135
AN EXCERPT FROM
Everyday Meditations †VERSE OF THE DAY†
"Let me hear in the morning of thy steadfast love, for in thee I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to thee I lift up my soul. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies! I have fled to thee for refuge! Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God! Let thy good spirit lead me on a level path! For thy name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In thy righteousness bring me out of trouble! And in thy steadfast love cut off my enemies, and destroy all my adversaries, for I am thy servant."
Psalm 143: 8-12 |  click to read more | | ST. JUSTIN MARTYR St. Justin Martyr (100–165 A.D.) was a pagan philosopher from Samaria. After meeting a Syrian Christian who convinced him that the biblical prophets were more trustworthy in the pursuit of truth than worldly philosophers, St. Justin renounced his paganism and studied Sacred Scripture. The bold witness of the early Christian martyrs led to his own conversion to the Catholic faith. St. Justin then used his philosophical and rhetorical skills to defend Christianity, the "true philosophy," against rival pagan philosophies and political powers which maligned and persecuted the Church. He traveled throughout Asia Minor teaching, arguing, and persuading others to accept baptism and follow Christ, before arriving in Rome where he settled and started his own school. Justin was arrested for his faith in Rome and ordered to make sacrifice to false gods, which he refused. He was martyred by beheading along with several of his students. Justin Martyr is famous for writing the Church's first "Apology," or defense of the Christian faith, showing that Christianity was superior to the pagan religions, and that Christians were model citizens and should not be mistreated. His writings are a prime source of the history of the primitive Church in worship and sacraments, including the Holy Eucharist. He is one of the first great apologists of the Church, and for this he is the patron saint of speakers, apologists, and philosophers. His feast day is June 1st. | Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr
Lectionary: 354 Reading 1 Tb 2:9-14 On the night of Pentecost, after I had buried the dead,
I, Tobit, went into my courtyard
to sleep next to the courtyard wall.
My face was uncovered because of the heat.
I did not know there were birds perched on the wall above me,
till their warm droppings settled in my eyes, causing cataracts.
I went to see some doctors for a cure
but the more they anointed my eyes with various salves,
the worse the cataracts became,
until I could see no more.
For four years I was deprived of eyesight, and
all my kinsmen were grieved at my condition.
Ahiqar, however, took care of me for two years,
until he left for Elymais. At that time, my wife Anna worked for hire
at weaving cloth, the kind of work women do.
When she sent back the goods to their owners, they would pay her.
Late in winter on the seventh of Dystrus,
she finished the cloth and sent it back to the owners.
They paid her the full salary
and also gave her a young goat for the table.
On entering my house the goat began to bleat. I called to my wife and said: "Where did this goat come from?
Perhaps it was stolen! Give it back to its owners;
we have no right to eat stolen food!"
She said to me, "It was given to me as a bonus over and above my wages."
Yet I would not believe her,
and told her to give it back to its owners.
I became very angry with her over this.
So she retorted: "Where are your charitable deeds now?
Where are your virtuous acts?
See! Your true character is finally showing itself!" Responsorial Psalm 112:1-2, 7-8, 9 R. (see 7c) The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear
till he looks down upon his foes.
R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia. Alleluia See Eph 1:17-18 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to his call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 12:13-17 Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent
to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech.
They came and said to him,
"Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man
and that you are not concerned with anyone's opinion.
You do not regard a person's status
but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?
Should we pay or should we not pay?"
Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them,
"Why are you testing me?
Bring me a denarius to look at."
They brought one to him and he said to them,
"Whose image and inscription is this?"
They replied to him, "Caesar's."
So Jesus said to them,
"Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God."
They were utterly amazed at him. | DAILY MEDITATION: TOBIT 2:9-14
Your true character is finally showing itself! (Tobit 2:14) Most scholars believe that the Book of Tobit, which we'll follow in our Mass readings this week, is a collection of stories from ancient folk literature. So why is it part of our Bible? Because it reveals timeless truths about marriage, family life, and suffering that can strengthen our relationships and guide us as we pray for family members. For example, the story reminds us that no family has a perfect life. Tobit's wife, Anna, criticizes him in an already hard time (Tobit 2:14). Both Tobit and Anna fret mightily over the safety of their son, Tobiah (5:18-19). Their future daughter-in-law, Sarah, even contemplates suicide (3:10). These characters are deeply human, and that helps us relate to their challenges. The Book of Tobit also shows us how important it is to stay faithful to God in prayer. In moments of great uncertainty, the Israelites in Tobit cling to the Lord (7:17). They ask for his intervention and keep practicing the customs that center their lives around God (8:4-7). And he does intervene! He provides for Tobit and his family by sending an angel as a messenger and traveling companion (3:16-17). Finally, the characters in this story courageously entrust their family members to God. Even when they don't see the outcomes they are praying for, Sarah and Tobit place their own and their loved ones' lives in God's hands (Tobit 3:1-15). They also speak confidently of God's everlasting goodness, even when they could have been complaining (7:11). In this, they remind us to surrender our families to the Lord in faith, and they show us the importance of praising God in the midst of trials. So enjoy this lively story! As you do, remember to pray and place your trust in a loving God who knows your struggles and is at work in the middle of them—even when you don't recognize it! "Lord, I place my family in your hands." Psalm 112:1-2, 7-9
Mark 12:13-17 | The fact that theology also considers the body should not astonish or surprise anyone who is aware of the mystery and reality of the Incarnation. Theology is that science whose subject is divinity. Through the fact that the Word of God became flesh, the body entered theology through the main door.
— St. John Paul the Great |  Bro. Adrian Reads reflection Outloud. Click here | my2cents:
In the book of Tobit, we heard a quarreling between husband and wife and she asks exasperated: ""Where are your charitable deeds now?
Where are your virtuous acts?
See! Your true character is finally showing itself!"
Has anyone ever put you in your spot, called you out on your faith? Does it help, or hurt? In my case, if there is truth, I fess up to it, and as hard as it is, I back down, and admit my place...2nd before God, before truth, I am second, and I ask for the grace to be taught. | We pray in the Psalms:
" The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed." | Some Pharisees and Herodians came up to our Lord to try to trap Him...with their wisdom, as if we know any better, and like little kids they go up to Him and try to set Him up and ultimately say: "Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?
Should we pay or should we not pay?"
Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them,
"Why are you testing me?
Bring me a denarius to look at." | Why are you testing the Lord? Why do we test Him? Doesn't the bible say "taste and see...the goodness of the Lord"?
It is good to taste. It is good to ask. But the intent is where the difference is. This is always the case of sin, the intent. Are your words and thoughts with intent? Did you speak to someone flirtatiously with an intent? Did you call someone stupid with the intent to make them feel stupid? In this case, our Lord does what He always does...as a true teacher, a Rabbi, He seizes the opportunity to teach with Love and great wisdom. He ends the answer to the riddle with the Truth that we all need to realize:
""Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God."
So what belongs to God?
Your everything, heart, mind, and soul.
What belongs to Caesar? Worldly things? Give it to him. This is why today's Saint, Justin Martyr had the truth, that Christians are the perfect model citizens of any nation. They'll be faithful to the Nation...unless you ask for things against God, all sinful things that are an injustice to humanity itself, because we believe we as a whole are the living body of Christ our Lord. Let us pray: Lord, I give you my heart, and I give you My soul. Help me cherish Your heart and Soul forever and ever.
Let us be Thine most beautiful Life and light for the world to see and hear and touch the Truth. | from your brother in Christ our Lord,
adrian |  click to hear | Random Bible Verse from online generator: Galatians 5:16–17 Keep in Step with the Spirit 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment