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Wednesday, July 10, 2024

† " To The Lost ..."

 

Quote of the Day

"God does not fit in an occupied heart." — St. John of the Cross

Today's Meditation

"[Some people], when they [receive Holy Communion], strive with all their might for sensible sweetness, instead of worshipping in humility and praising God within themselves. So much are they given to this, that they think when they derive no sensible sweetness, they have done nothing, so meanly do they think of God; neither do they understand that the least of the blessings of the Most Holy Sacrament is that which touches the senses, and that the invisible grace It confers is far greater; for God frequently withholds these sensible favors from men, that they may fix the eyes of faith upon Himself . . . All this is a very great imperfection, being against the purity of Faith, and directly at variance with the nature of God." —St. John of the Cross, p. 28
An excerpt from Dark Night of the Soul

Daily Verse

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." — Matthew 16:24-25

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St. Amelia

St. Amelia (741-772 A.D.) was born into a noble and pious Christian family in the land of the Ardennes, bordering what is today Belgium and Luxembourg. She was a devout child of strong character who committed her virginity to Christ from a young age. However, because she was such a beautiful and virtuous woman, she was pursued for several years by the young Charlemagne. In one account, Charlemagne broke her arm in a physical struggle to hold her hand, and afterwards her arm was miraculously healed. His romantic interest was rebuffed, and Amelia was eventually able to realize her desire to enter the convent. She spent the rest of her life in the Benedictine abbey of Münster-Bilzen in Belgium, and helped to build a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the Belgian town of Temsche. St. Amelia is said to have performed many miracles, the most famous being the one in which she crossed the Schelde River miraculously while standing on the back of a giant sturgeon fish. St. Amelia is the patroness of farmers, fishermen, and those suffering from arm and shoulder pain. Her feast day is celebrated on July 10th.

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Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Hos 10:1-3, 7-8, 12

Israel is a luxuriant vine
whose fruit matches its growth.
The more abundant his fruit,
the more altars he built;
The more productive his land,
the more sacred pillars he set up.
Their heart is false,
now they pay for their guilt;
God shall break down their altars
and destroy their sacred pillars.
If they would say,
"We have no king"—
Since they do not fear the LORD,
what can the king do for them?

The king of Samaria shall disappear,
like foam upon the waters.
The high places of Aven shall be destroyed,
the sin of Israel;
thorns and thistles shall overgrow their altars.
Then they shall cry out to the mountains, "Cover us!"
and to the hills, "Fall upon us!"

"Sow for yourselves justice,
reap the fruit of piety;
break up for yourselves a new field,
for it is time to seek the LORD,
till he come and rain down justice upon you."

Responsorial Psalm Ps 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R. (4b) Seek always the face of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
R. Seek always the face of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
R. Seek always the face of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. Seek always the face of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Mk 1:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Kingdom of God is at hand:
repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 10:1-7

Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out
and to cure every disease and every illness.
The names of the Twelve Apostles are these:
first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew;
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
Philip and Bartholomew,
Thomas and Matthew the tax collector;
James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;
Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot
who betrayed Jesus.

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
"Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.
Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'"


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Daily Meditation: Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12

Break up for yourselves a new field, for it is time to seek the Lord. (Hosea 10:12)

Intrigues in the royal court, terrifying threats from foreign enemies, shifting diplomatic alliances, the worship of false gods—Hosea painted a picture of life in the northern kingdom of Israel as they faced exile. God's people seemed to be relying on anything and everything except their life-giving relationship with the One who had made a covenant with them. Instead of condemning his people, though, God called them through the prophet Hosea to seek him and to break up the field of their hardened hearts (10:12).

That call still resonates today, whether our lives are just a bit out of focus or we need a bigger course correction. So let's adopt Hosea's metaphor. Think of your life as a field that needs some TLC to become fruitful again. Remember, every time you return to the Lord—pulling out the weeds of sin or plowing up the stony earth of a hardened heart—you are making room for the work that God is already longing to do in you.

Breaking up that field doesn't happen overnight. It can be painstaking work. But think of how you've already begun! Then ask the Holy Spirit to spotlight one area where you can make a small, life-giving change. If the Spirit helps you to uproot one weed and plant one seed in its place, you will be that much more ready for God's life to grow in you.

The process will look different for each of us. One woman caught herself growing discontented and envious as she thumbed through interior decorating magazines. She chose instead to organize one cluttered drawer and hang a cheery print on her wall. A man who had been scrolling on his phone while eating lunch at his desk decided to take a refreshing noontime prayer walk instead. One man was led to stop into a chapel for Adoration after work, while another headed straight home to lend a hand with dinner and homework.

No matter how it looks for you, take that next step to seek the Lord. Keep plowing that field! God promised that if you do, he will send his rain of justice on you to bless you and bring forth life (Hosea 10:12).

"Lord, thank you for calling me closer to yourself. Inspire me today as I seek you."

Psalm 105:2-7
Matthew 10:1-7

adyn
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Hear AI Read it to you. Updated 7/10/24

Reflections with Brother Adrian:

2cents2

In the Holy Scripture we hear today:
"Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
"Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.
Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand......"
end quote.

From Bishop Barron Today:
"Friends, in today's Gospel, Jesus commissions the twelve Apostles. Perhaps we can see here a fulfillment of his prophetic invitation to the first disciples: "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."
"Come after me." This is a Hebraicism that indicates discipleship. Jesus is not offering a doctrine, a theology, or a set of beliefs. He is offering himself. He's saying, "Walk in my path; enter into the world that I have opened up."
"And I will make you fishers of men." This is one of the best lines in Scripture. Notice the first part of the phrase: "I will make you." God is the one who makes us from nothing. To live in sin is to live outside of the creative power of God, to pretend that we can make ourselves. How wonderful that he tells us that he will make us!
And what he makes us is always a reflection of himself: a fisher of men. God wants to draw all things and all people into a community around him, in him. He is a fisher of people—and so wants us to be....." End Quote Bishop Barron.


This week, something told me to start a new prayer for the Apostles, the 12 chosen Disciples, Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Judas Iscariot who was replaced by Matthias, Matthew, Thomas, James, the son of Alpheus, Bartholomew, Judas Thaddeus, and Simon Zelotes.
Originally, I meant to pray an Our Father, the Lord's prayer every hour from 7 in the morning until 7 in the afternoon. But I only prayed the first hour for St. Peter and work happened, before lunch I realized I had forgotten every hour to pray. And so, now I'm attempting the 7am start of day to pray for each disciple individually for the next few days, so a total of 12 days.
I say this so that you will join me. Why? Because, we need to invoke the 12 disciples to pray for us. How will can we continue the work? The bishops are charged with this task, but we are to help by every which way we can. The Catholic Bishop is a direct descendant of the Apostles. And we are all called to the discipleship, this following of Christ, to reach the ends of the earth right where we are and where we are called to go. If you haven't had a call to go somewhere and do His preaching and reaching, then don't worry, you are right where you are needed right now! Right there at your home, or your job. How much of it is spent evangelizing? Reading? Praying? Can you pray in a busy day? I'm a boss, president of a family business with around 50 employees. I'm very busy. I'm a father of 8, me and my wife are very busy now with kids business. I'm a vice president of a couple of ministries and chairman of a community festival, sponsored by our parish, I'm very busy. But I am not so busy that I cannot find the time to pray. I pray when I jump on my truck, at stoplights, in between calls and meetings, I actually pray all day.
This faith sharing you are listening to and reading, it takes me all morning between meetings and dealings with people. If it comes later, it means I've been very busy! But I always return after putting out fires as much as I can, I return to the true fire that makes my life burn with love.Every day, Pray at 3pm, the divine Mercy chaplet, and also some time pray the Holy Rosary daily, and the best, a daily Holy Mass, and in between speak with God all day, praising and praying for others.

If we don't do what God asks, we are doing everything else for nothing.
There is a mission for us on earth. How much of my day has been spent on frivolous and trivial things? We can lose focus quick!

This is the beauty of turning to God, that we remain anchored and focused on the most important first, God who is Love, and then neighbor, all those we encounter all through our day, physically and through prayer.
So remember, to invoke the heavens, the angels, the saints, all to help and guide us all day long. I have found out that our Guardian Angels can actually help us too! When engaging with others. We are not alone.
If you see a sick world, then you must seek the remedy, the healing, the dying need life.

We need our Lord our Savior more than anything! We need to savor life through Him. When His side was pierced, it was the new Adam of God's people that has been made, to reveal God's will, and from his side, the side of Jesus, came the Holy Church, the chosen, to be the salt, the light to spread the life of God all over the world.
All hands on deck. We've been called!

Precious Blood of Jesus, Save us!
Let us also begin to pray for His blood drops and wounds to heal us!
There is a chaplet to the holy wounds we can pray. Click for more.

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Random Bible Verse 1
Romans 6:14

14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

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† " July 9 2024 ..."

 

Quote of the Day

"Young people need the light of watchful guides to lead them on the path of salvation." — St. John Baptist de la Salle

Today's Meditation

"Heaven is the birth-place and home of love. Its blessed inhabitants love much, love forever, and love only what is worthy of love. Joseph, however, was blessed by anticipation, for he passed all his days in the exercise of divine love, and lived a life of love upon earth. The Evangelists do not record a single word of this great saint; he observed, indeed, a marvelous silence. Not, however, an ungracious silence. The silence of ordinary men, as well as their irrepressible flow of words, is often merely selfish. But Joseph's silence and his speech were alike prompted and regulated by the law of charity ... His words, indeed, were never superfluous, for they had their source in love, but they were also ruled by his will, not forced from him as the expression of his feelings." —Edward Healy Thompson, p. 362
An excerpt from The Life and Glories of St. Joseph

Daily Verse

"For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God." — 2 Timothy 1:7-8

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St. Augustine Zhao Rong

St. Augustine Zhao Rong (d. 1815) was a Chinese soldier who was assigned to escort the captive Catholic bishop, John Gabriel Taurin Dufresse, to Beijing where he was to be executed by beheading. The bishop's faith made a strong impact on Zhao, who then requested baptism. He took the Christian name Augustine, and later entered the seminary and was ordained to the priesthood. During the continuing persecution of Christians in China, Augustine was one of thousands of Chinese Catholics who suffered martyrdom for the faith. He was arrested, tortured, and killed in 1815. St. Augustine Zhao Rong is honored with a group of 120 martyrs who were killed for their Catholic faith in China from 1648-1930. The group was canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in 2000. Of them, 87 were Chinese natives and 33 were Western missionaries. The feast day of St. Augustine Zhao Rong and the Chinese Martyrs is July 9th.

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Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Hos 8:4-7, 11-13

Thus says the LORD:
They made kings in Israel, but not by my authority;
they established princes, but without my approval.
With their silver and gold they made
idols for themselves, to their own destruction.
Cast away your calf, O Samaria!
my wrath is kindled against them;
How long will they be unable to attain
innocence in Israel?
The work of an artisan,
no god at all,
Destined for the flames—
such is the calf of Samaria!

When they sow the wind,
they shall reap the whirlwind;
The stalk of grain that forms no ear
can yield no flour;
Even if it could,
strangers would swallow it.

When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin,
his altars became occasions of sin.
Though I write for him my many ordinances,
they are considered as a stranger's.
Though they offer sacrifice,
immolate flesh and eat it,
the LORD is not pleased with them.
He shall still remember their guilt
and punish their sins;
they shall return to Egypt.

Responsorial Psalm PS 115:3-4, 5-6, 7ab-8, 9-10

R. (9a) The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
R. The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

They have mouths but speak not;
they have eyes but see not;
They have ears but hear not;
they have noses but smell not.
R. The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

They have hands but feel not;
they have feet but walk not.
Their makers shall be like them,
everyone that trusts in them.
R. The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Jn 10:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 9:32-38

A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus,
and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.
The crowds were amazed and said,
"Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."
But the Pharisees said,
"He drives out demons by the prince of demons."

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest."

agosp
adyn
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Daily Meditation: Matthew 9:32-38

Ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. (Matthew 9:38)

Jesus was filled with compassion for his people, who "were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36). He wanted to be their Shepherd, healing them and releasing them from the bondage of sin and death. But like a ripe harvest, they needed to be gathered and brought to him. That's why he instructed his disciples to "ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest" (9:38).

Of course, the disciples themselves brought in a great harvest, as did so many dedicated believers who came after them. Yet the harvest is still "abundant" today (Matthew 9:37). So many people need to hear and accept the good news. That's why, as modern-day disciples, we, too, are called to bring in this harvest. But with so many work and family demands pressing in on us, how can we do that?

First, we can respond to Jesus' request and pray for more workers who can dedicate their whole lives to sharing the good news and caring for his people. Maybe our prayers will help a young man realize that he is being called to the priesthood. Or perhaps a young woman will hear God leading her to enter the convent. Pray for those reading this magazine right now who are discerning whether to become a full-time "harvester," whether in a religious vocation or as a lay minister.

Second, we can pray for opportunities to do some "harvesting" ourselves. We don't have to be full-time laborers to bring in some of the harvest. If everyone does their part, think of how many people could come to know the Lord! So be open to inviting a neighbor, friend, or coworker to a parish Bible study. Ask them if they want you to pray for a specific need. So many people are "troubled and abandoned" and need you to share God's love with them!

Finally, we can encourage young people, both in our families and in our parishes, to consider a vocation. Sometimes all it takes is asking the question, "Might God be calling you?"

The harvest is more than ready. Let's help to bring it in!

"Jesus, I am praying for more laborers. Help me to be one, too!"

Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13
Psalm 115:3-10

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Reflections with Brother Adrian:

2cents2

In the Holy Scripture we hear today:
"A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus,
and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.
The crowds were amazed and said,
"Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."
But the Pharisees said,
"He drives out demons by the prince of demons."....
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest."......"
end quote.

From Bishop Barron Today:
"Friends, in today's Gospel, Jesus directs his disciples to "ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest," to pray for evangelists to rescue the lost. But what precisely does it mean to evangelize?
Euangelion (glad tidings) was a familiar word in the culture of the New Testament authors. When the emperor or one of his generals won a battle, he would send evangelists ahead to announce the glad tidings.
The first Christians were being edgy when they adapted the word to their purposes. They were saying that the definitive battle had indeed been won, but that it had nothing to do with Caesar and his armies. It had to do with the victory that God had won in Christ over sin and death.
Jesus went into the belly of the beast—into the heart of our dysfunction, to the limits of godforsakenness—and he defeated the dark powers. He demonstrated that the divine love is greater than our greatest enemies.
This evangelical message entails, too, that there is a new King, a new Emperor. Christ, the victor over sin and death, must be the center of your life...." End Quote Bishop Barron.


Our Lord Jesus healed everyone that asked. And for this, He was accused of evil things. And it leaves one to wonder why so few tend to God's will, doesn't it? St. Teresa of Avila: "Oh, my Lord!" she exclaimed, with her usual loving familiarity, "when wilt Thou cease from scattering obstacles in our path?" "Do not complain, daughter," the Divine Master answered, "for it is ever thus that I treat My friends." "Ah, Lord, it is also on that account that Thou hast so few!" was her reply.
It definitely is not an easy way of life. Take for instance, today's chinese martyr. He saw a Bishop beheaded, and decided to become a Catholic and a priest too, and this lead to his own death as well.

No wonder very few decide to take to this life, right? It takes too much of your life. Too much effort. And I hate that we have to fight for the effort. There is always something vying for your attention....your life, always pulling us from the Lord, and His holy will.

What kind of sacrifice will it take to be a laborer for the harvest?

And who planted the whole harvest anyhow? It is the Lord and His holy angels that have planted the seeds, amen? His is the vineyard, the one that is to harvest. All we need help with is plucking the grains, the grapes, the fruit, we just need to add labor!

Are you ready to work, for the Lord? It is brutal! The scorching heat! The blazing sun, the sweat of your brow, the heartaches, the hunger spells, the thirst! Our Lord languishes on the cross, uttering with His suffering body "please, help Me".

And we are like that weakling finger that faintly makes a muscle move in the Michaelangelo painting, where God with all His might and strength is making all kinds of effort to touch our finger tip with His.
Why are we so weak? And this is not a joke, and this is not good.
When Jesus walked the earth, with a mere word He could exorcise a person, free them from demons. Today, a Catholic exorcist, on average takes about 75 sessions to free a person from demons. Are the demons stronger? Not really, we are just that much weaker. We are weak in our efforts. We are spoiled. We want things of convenience. We want things our way right away, like fast food. We want a miracle to be instantaneous or else. We need to be stronger in our efforts.

What efforts? What can we do?
Your holiness, your prayer life, your attendance alone speaks volumes, but then, God sees in the heart, the heartless souls in church. We take a step but we need to take many more to do His will. You can fast for conversion. You can fast for conversions of others. You can offer prayers, rosaries, novenas, and the ultimate, a Holy Mass.

This life on earth is no time to waste.
Every moment is precious. There is a key word that changes everything: Gratefulness. Thanksgiving. To truly appreciate this life, we must give the most beautiful to God. Everyone in the past offered the best to God. Nowadays, we offer the very least to God.

God needs laborers. I am writing to the laborers right now.
God needs all hands on deck. Yes, He needs us, and our prayers, and our offerings. How and why? For the good of the world He created.
Pray with me, for the conversion of the ones that neglect and deny us, our own family that hate that we preach to them. Offer sacrifices for them, souls are at stake. Loving is willing the good of the other. Love is not a two way street always, sometimes it is stronger...a one way effort.
Don't expect appreciation. Expect humiliation.
And then, gratitude for your humiliation will come from Heaven.

Nobody wants to meet. So what? You keep meeting in church.
Nobody wants to help? So what? That's nothing new. Keep inviting.
This is work! This is hard work! This is work that hardly anyone wants to do. That's why there are fewer priests in our country. That's why vocations to the religious life are low too in most places (some are actually exploding).

I remember working in the fields, hoeing weeds with my grandmother's brother, Tio Gollo. I knew he was a faithful man, already elderly, just me and him working, we hardly spoke, but I do remember sighing in the hot sun, thirsty, and all I remember him saying was "What a beautiful Sun".

I never forgot his words, and he passed away a few years later.

The sun gives life, and the sun can burn. But we cannot live without the sun. We need the sun to see! We need the sun to have life on earth! We need the sun to revolve around! We need the energy for life!

This is how previous indians lived without knowing our Lord and our God, they knew the Sun was a life giver.
Now we know there is the true Son, the Son of the Universe, the Son of God, the Son of Life, and this Son, wants to work with you and in you.
We've already allowed evil in our weakness to thrive. It is time to allow God to do what He wants. It is time for obedience, a holy obedience to sacrifice ourselves in this life, and then reap the benefits in the next life, that of knowing that you got to serve the most amazing God and Father, what gifts we could offer now! They are priceless!

Sacred Blood of Jesus, Be our Love, our all!

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Random Bible Verse 1
Psalm 104:24

24 O LORD, how manifold are your works!

In wisdom have you made them all;

the earth is full of your creatures.

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God Bless You! Peace

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