†Quote of the Day "Oh, my soul, how much longer do you wish to be so stingy with Jesus? Why so negligent towards Jesus who made You? Why so lazy towards Jesus who redeemed you? Who do you want to love, if you do not want to love Jesus?"
–St. Gemma Galgani Today's Meditation "But you, 'a chosen generation', weak things of the world, who have forsaken all things, so that you may follow the Lord, go after him, and confound the strong; go after him, you beautiful feet, and shine in the firmament so that the heavens may declare his glory . . . Shine over the whole earth, and let the day, brightened by the sun, utter unto day speech of wisdom, and let the night, shining with the moon, declare to the night the word of knowledge . . . Run into every place, O you holy fires, you beautiful fires! You are the light of the world, and you are not put under a measure. He to whom you have held fast has been exalted, and he has exalted you. Run forth, and make it known to all nations."
—Saint Augustine, p.318-319 Daily Verse "Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Do not give heed to all the things that men say, lest you hear your servant cursing you; your heart knows that many times you have yourself cursed others."
–Ecclesiastes 7:20-22 | St. Gemma Galgani St. Gemma Galgani (1878-1903) was born in Italy, the fifth of eight children born to a prosperous pharmacist. When she was young, Gemma's mother and three of her siblings died of tuberculous. When she was 18 her father died as well, leaving Gemma to help care for her younger siblings. She rejected two marriage proposals and became a housekeeper while trying to enter the religious life as a Passionist. She was rejected due to her poor heath, and later became a Tertiary member of the order. Gemma developed spinal meningitis but was miraculously healed, which she attributed to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the intercession of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Throughout her life she united herself with the Passion of Christ and experienced great suffering as a result, but not without receiving many remarkable graces as well. She experienced many mystical visions and was often visited by her guardian angel, Jesus, and the Virgin Mary. For this she was known as a great mystic, and, according to her spiritual director, developed the stigmata at age 21. After a selfless life of love given to God for the conversion of sinners, she died on the Vigil of Easter at the age of 25. She is the patron saint of pharmacists, loss of parents, back illnesses, temptations, and those seeking purity of heart. Her feast day is April 11th. | Memorial of Saint Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr • Readings for the Memorial of Saint Stanislaus, bishop, martyr Reading 1 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 PS 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) In many movies or plays, there are two main characters whom everyone remembers: a hero and a villain, perhaps, or two star-crossed lovers. But often enough there is a third character who stays in the background. This character is just as important as the "lead" characters, but he or she gets overlooked until the very end of the story. Unfortunately, this is the way many people think about the Holy Spirit—as a background character compared to God the Father and Jesus his Son. But the reality is that the Holy Spirit has been an ever-present and equal source of power and grace since before the beginning of time. And as today's Gospel tells us, God "does not ration" the Spirit (John 3:34). He has been extremely generous in pouring out his Spirit throughout history! Consider this: the Holy Spirit was there when God created the world, "sweeping over the waters" (Genesis 1:2). He was the "breath of life" whom God breathed into Adam and Eve (2:7). He guided the Israelites on their desert journey (Exodus 40:36-38), anointed King David (1 Samuel 16:13), and inspired all the prophets. He overshadowed Mary so that she could conceive Jesus (Luke 1:35). He was the power behind all of Jesus' miracles and preaching (Matthew 12:28). And of course, it was the Spirit who transformed the first disciples and sent them out to share the gospel and build a Church that is now present in every culture and nation in the world (Acts 1:8). This is the Spirit you received when you were baptized. And just as he has done in every age, God has not rationed the gift of his Spirit in you. He is with you to pour out endless grace in your heart: courage, wisdom, insight, healing, mercy, and all the other gifts and virtues that can make you an agent of change in this world. What a great mystery—and what a great gift! The Holy Spirit is with you, generously breathing new life into you. There is no limit to his ability to transform your heart. And there is no limit to his power to help you share his love. "Lord, send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth—through me!" Acts 5:27-33
Psalm 34:2, 9, 17-20 |  corrected link 4/10/24 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: | In the Holy Scripture we hear today:
"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....." end quote. | Who do you believe? What do you believe? Last night, one of my students that misses class quite often, always seems distracted, she doesn't read along, she says random things, but I'm trying to catch her attention as her eyes wonder off every which way and never answers any questions correctly on her papers. But these are the types of students I set my hope on. I don't set all my hopes on the ones that seem to be paying attention or to care, but on all. The Word is being spread like seeds, for the hope to sprout and to grow and give off light.
This student said that her grandpa didn't believe in the bible.
I felt disheartened, for her, for her family, for everyone that this man was led astray. She said "he doesn't believe in a book written by man". And so the protestants also say they don't "believe in man made traditions". And the list of things not to believe begins on and on until we all just wonder around not believing or going by feelings like animals.
I said to the student "I am going to write a book, about my life, my testimony and my faith, and if it gets written and published, and someone reads it 100 years from now, do you think people will believe me and what happened? Because this is exactly what the Apostles did!".
And so, the question comes down to you who are hearing these messages, do you believe what is being said?
I absolutely love the story of the ducks at church and the preacher duck preaches that they can fly, and they all waddle walking all the way home. We can fly! And all ducks sing and shout "AMEN!" LOL.
I laugh because we just go through the motions, sing and pray, but we don't really believe.
Our Lord said "whoever believes in the Son has eternal life! How do you believe? The man that wanted his child healed shouted to our Lord "I Do Believe! Help my disbelief!" And so our Lord immediately gives the inverse of not believing, it is those who disobey the Son.
If you believe, you will obey. If you obey, like me, then be opened. Have faith that can move mountains. The world needs it.
The world needs your live and active faith this very day and every day of our lives!
I don't know of any other prophet in the Bible that spoke so much about eternal life. This whole notion and talk comes from Jesus the Son of God.
Do you believe? He said "The one who comes from above is above all....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 not believe has made our Lord to be a liar. The things of God are black or white. Either we believe or not. Either we love Him or not. My Lord and my God, help us love Thee as we ought! Oh help us love Thee more and more! |  Click for Audio | Random Bible Verse 1
Proverbs 22:4 4 The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.1 | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
