†Saint Quote
"There are in truth three states of the converted: the beginning, the middle, and the perfection. In the beginning they experience the charms of sweetness; in the middle the contests of temptation; and in the end the fullness of perfection."
— Pope St. Gregory the Great † MEDITATION OF THE DAY†
"For want of contrition, innumerable Confessions are either sacrilegious or invalid; the penitent so often breaks his promises to God, and falls again so easily into the same faults, and many souls are eternally lost. Contrition is that true and lively sorrow which the soul has for all the sins it has committed, with a firm determination never to commit them any more . . . Many Christians spend a long time in examining their consciences, and in making long and often unnecessary narrations to the confessor, and then bestow little or no time upon considering the malice of their sins, and upon bewailing and detesting them. Christians such as these, says St. Gregory, act like a wounded man who shows his wounds to the doctor with the utmost anxiety and care, and then will not make use of the remedies prescribed. It is not so much thinking, nor so much speaking of your sins that will procure their pardon, but heartfelt sorrow and detestation of them."
— Fr. Ignatius of the Side of Jesus, p. 289
AN EXCERPT FROM
The School of Jesus Crucified † VERSE OF THE DAY
"For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Romans 8:29-31 |  click to read more | | POPE ST. GREGORY THE GREAT Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-604 A.D.) was the son of a wealthy Roman senator. His mother and two of his aunts are also saints, which provided him with a strong and devout religious upbringing. His skill in grammar and rhetoric were exceptional, and he followed in his father's political footsteps by serving in public office as the prefect of Rome. Discerning a call to the religious life, he sold all of his possessions and converted his home into a Benedictine monastery. He used his liquidated assets to build six other monasteries. Because of his talent and intelligence he was unanimously chosen to become the Roman Pontiff, the first monk to become Pope. During his lifetime Rome was sacked by invading barbarian hordes, and the city also suffered severe damage from floods and pestilence, causing his pontificate to be an important one. He brought stability and order to the Church in a time of great societal and cultural upheaval. His profound influence on the doctrine, organization, and discipline of the Church cannot be underestimated, thus earning him the title "The Great" which he shares with only two other popes. For his abundant doctrinal and spiritual writings he is also considered to be one of the four great Doctors of the Latin Church. He is most commonly known for promoting and standardizing the sacred music of liturgical worship, now called "Gregorian Chant." Pope St. Gregory the Great is the patron of popes, masons, choir boys, singers, teachers, and musicians. His feast day is September 3rd. | Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church Lectionary: 435
Reading I Col 1:15-20 Brothers and sisters:
Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the Body, the Church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the Blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven. Responsorial Psalm
100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5 R. (2b) Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; serve the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful song.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Know that the LORD is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
For he is good, the LORD, whose kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord. Alleluia Jn 8:12 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 5:33-39 The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus,
"The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers,
and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same;
but yours eat and drink."
Jesus answered them, "Can you make the wedding guests fast
while the bridegroom is with them?
But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
then they will fast in those days."
And he also told them a parable.
"No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one.
Otherwise, he will tear the new
and the piece from it will not match the old cloak.
Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.
Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins,
and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined.
Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins.
And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new,
for he says, 'The old is good.'" | Daily Meditation: Colossians 1:15-20 Christ Jesus is . . . (Colossians 1:15) Today's lyrical hymn from St. Paul's letter to the Colossians gives us a terrific launching point for pondering who Jesus is. Let's take some of the verses and use them to lift our hearts in praise and worship: Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). "Jesus, when you took on humanity, you made the eternal unseen God visible. You are proof that God is not far off and unreachable. Thank you for humbly coming near to me and showing me the Father!" All things were created through him and for him (Colossians 1:16). "Jesus, every created thing came from your love and your goodness and is a reflection of that love and goodness. The smallest atom or the biggest galaxy—everything that exists has come to be not only through you but for your glory. I give you praise for the glory that is revealed in creation." In him all things hold together (Colossians 1:17). "Jesus, you didn't just create the universe; you continue to hold it together even now. Lord, there is so much division and separation between people, but I believe that if you can hold creation together, you can bring your divided children together as well. Thank you for the hope you give us!" He is the head of the Body, the Church (Colossians 1:18). "Jesus, you have primacy in all things: in creation, in the Church, even in my life. You lead and guide me even though I don't always see how you are working. You are always ready to fill me with your love and mercy—even to reach out to the world through me." In him all the fullness was pleased to dwell (Colossians 1:19). "Jesus, you are not only the image of God, but you are also the eternal Son of God. You are God from God, light from light. There is nothing lacking in you—you are perfect, totally pure, and completely holy. I give you thanks, Lord, that from God's fullness dwelling in you, I can find fulfillment for my own life. "Jesus, you are greater than I could ever imagine on my own. Thank you for the gift of the Scriptures that helps me lift my mind so that I can meditate on you and give you praise!" "Jesus, I bow to you in humble adoration." Psalm 100:1-5
Luke 5:33-39 |  Listen to 2cents | From Saint Paul:
"Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the Body, the Church." How's that for someone who used to persecute Christ followers? Converts lead the way. You must too, lead the way. These verses makes one praise God in Jesus above all things, for in Him we are held together, and He is the head of the Body of Christ. | We pray in the Holy Psalms:
"Know that the LORD is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends.
Come with joy into the presence of the Lord".
Is it possible to come with joy into His presence? They said King David danced shirtless, joyfully as the Presence of the Lord in the ark, the equivalent of our tabernacles today, and he sang to God. Is it possible? And David was a sinner! But wait. That's not what we are, but what we've done. We are Children of the Presence of GOD! Once we realize this, and we turn to love of our Father in Heaven, then yes, you will automatically by joyful in His presence, because joy means hope, security, trust, fidelity, and refuge in Him. | In the Holy Gospel according to Luke, we heard:
"The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus,
"The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers,
and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same;
but yours eat and drink."
Jesus answered them, "Can you make the wedding guests fast
while the bridegroom is with them?" | And our Lord teaches us an important message...that our traditions are not above God Himself. That God Himself is much more important, that love of God Himself overrides everything else, and so, next time you dare think about the 10 commandments, or any tradition, think about the first and foremost command from God Himself. He says 'I AM". I AM the Lord Your God, and thou shalt not have any false gods before me.
And all commands stem from this command, and our Lord Jesus explains God Himself as the Love supreme. No other loves shall reign in your heart, mind, and soul. And so when they came at Him about breaking commands, He said virtually "how can I break the commands if I AM"..."how can I break the fast if I AM the reason for the fast". It's like telling the birthday boy he can't eat birthday cake! LOL, right? He was questioned for eating wheat on Sundays, picking wheat and so forth. So many laws and traditions.
Nowadays there's these "Traditional" Catholics that have many traditions they hold near and dear, and many for good reason. But don't you tell them anything else, because they are right and you are wrong! I've spoken to a couple and they are condescending, making me feel like less as they scold me. The Pope has even told them to stop having their "Traditional Mass" and all sorts of trouble has started. Why? They say they are right, more right than the Pope! Now wait a minute! The Pope is not perfect, but traditionalists are acting as if (they are) and as if this Church is a democracy! The Church Serves God. The Pope is the servant of servants. Who reigns supreme? Jesus. So who is right? Jesus is right. Yes, we need more tradition back, but these traditionalists are off on a bad trajectory! But in essence...both are right! And the Pope even more, because He has keys and authority. Now we are battling with evil spirits in the world! The battle of the will, if you will.
Our Lord continues:
+++
""No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one.
Otherwise, he will tear the new
and the piece from it will not match the old cloak.
Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.
Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins,
and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined.
Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins.
And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new,
for he says, 'The old is good."
+++
The Old is Good, right? The Old Church is good! But let's examine this more closely, the Old Church was a pilgrim church, always on the move and always in a battle, and always people quarreling with God, as the very name "Israel" means and implies. And so our Lord says "the New for the New". He desires not to rip up the Old, but to make the New the precedence of His Kingdom. Now we base all our hopes in Jesus, for God has left everything in Jesus. This is Jesus Kingdom. This is Jesus world. This is Him as Father God. In our Catholic Mass, everything is about Jesus, all worship, all praise and worship is to the Divine Sacrifice. It's not about how He makes us feel, but how we make HIM feel in the Mass. And He loves love. Let's pray:
Lord, in this life, we keep seeking Thee.
Help us find Thee, and help us rest in Thee, Your precious arms, Your strong arms, Your Tender touch.
I pray for Grace My Lord and my King. I pray for that inner peace and joy, to approach Thee in Thy Precious Presence, both now and forever....amen. | from your brother in Christ,
Adrian |  click to hear | Random bible verse generator: Jeremiah 23:23–24 "Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD, and not a God far away? 24 Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
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