† Quote of the Day "One should not say that it is impossible to reach a virtuous life; but one should say that it is not easy. Nor do those who have reached it find it easy to maintain." — St. Antony Of The Desert Today's Meditation "To pray is to converse with God Himself, honoring Him with the virtue of religion and entering into intimacy and familiar company with Him by means of the three theological virtues, which, since they cause us to share in the mutual knowledge and love of the three Divine Persons, unite us with Them in ever-increasing measure—and by means of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, which put us under the loving direction and influence of this divine Comforter, and which are the mystic eyes with which the Lamb who is slain enables us to penetrate the marvels of the book of His mysteries (Rev. 5:6)." —J.G Arintero, O.P., p.
An excerpt from Stages in Prayer Daily Verse "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation." — Psalm 68:19 | St. Antony Of The Desert St. Anthony of the Desert (251–356 A.D.), also known as St. Anthony the Great (or St. Antony the Great) and also St. Anthony of Egypt, was a leading figure among the Desert Fathers, the early Christian monks who lived in the Egyptian desert in the 3rd and 4th centuries. The story of his life was written by St. Athanasius of Alexandria. St. Anthony's parents were wealthy, and after their death Anthony desired to conform himself to the manner of life of the Apostles and early Christians. On hearing these words from the Gospel of Matthew in church, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me," St. Anthony left everything behind to live a life of prayer, fasting, self-denial, and labor. Whenever he heard of other holy people living in this manner, he would visit them to learn from their virtues in order to imitate them. He eventually removed himself from all society and became the first Christian to live a life of consecrated solitude. He occasionally left his hermitage for pressing matters, once to encourage persecuted Christians, and another time to support Pope Athanasius against the heresy of Arius. St. Anthony died at the age of one hundred and five. His feast day is January 17th. | Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot • Readings for the Memorial of Saint Anthony, abbot Reading I Hebrews 4:1-5, 11 Let us be on our guard
while the promise of entering into his rest remains,
that none of you seem to have failed.
For in fact we have received the Good News just as our ancestors did.
But the word that they heard did not profit them,
for they were not united in faith with those who listened.
For we who believed enter into that rest,
just as he has said:
As I swore in my wrath,
"They shall not enter into my rest,"
and yet his works were accomplished
at the foundation of the world.
For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner,
And God rested on the seventh day from all his works;
and again, in the previously mentioned place,
They shall not enter into my rest.
Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest,
so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 78:3 & 4bc, 6c-7, 8 R. (see 7b) Do not forget the works of the Lord!
What we have heard and know,
and what our fathers have declared to us,
we will declare to the generation to come
The glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
That they too may rise and declare to their sons
that they should put their hope in God,
And not forget the deeds of God
but keep his commands.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
And not be like their fathers,
a generation wayward and rebellious,
A generation that kept not its heart steadfast
nor its spirit faithful toward God.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord! Alleluia Luke 7:16 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mark 2:1-12 When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days,
it became known that he was at home.
Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,
not even around the door,
and he preached the word to them.
They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.
Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd,
they opened up the roof above him.
After they had broken through,
they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him,
"Child, your sins are forgiven."
Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,
"Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming.
Who but God alone can forgive sins?"
Jesus immediately knew in his mind what
they were thinking to themselves,
so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,
'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk'?
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"
–he said to the paralytic,
"I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."
He rose, picked up his mat at once,
and went away in the sight of everyone.
They were all astounded
and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."
| Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ! | Daily Meditation: Mark 2:1-12 After they had broken through, they let down the mat. (Mark 2:4) So many people were crowding around that house in Capernaum—and for different reasons. Some wanted to hear Jesus preach. Others were hoping he would heal them. And still others were just curious. It's an impressive scene—but with one problem. Not enough people in that crowd were willing to make room for the four men carrying their paralyzed friend. Imagine the faith Jesus inspired in these men—they literally broke through so many barriers! Long before they started dismantling ceiling tiles, they had "broken through" the doubt and hesitation about whether they should even try to get to Jesus. Was he for real? Would he be able to help? They also broke through the fatigue they must have felt as they hoisted their friend onto the roof and tried to open a hole big enough to lower him into the house. Perhaps they even had to overcome the objections of their friend when he learned of their outlandish scheme! Their persistence paid off. "When Jesus saw their faith," he didn't just heal their friend's paralysis; he forgave his sins as well (Mark 2:5). Jesus made him new inside and out! So examine your faith. What obstacles—indifference, unbelief, or perhaps unforgiveness—have you already broken through? How have these breakthroughs brought you closer to the Lord? Take some time to thank the Lord for helping you through these struggles. But don't stop there! Think about your loved ones. Is there anyone you need to bring to the Lord? What sort of obstacles must you break through in order to intercede for them? Maybe you've begun to believe that your pleas have gone nowhere so far, so you might as well give up. Maybe you're feeling that your friend's situation is too dire to take any action. Whatever it is, remember the persistence and creativity of the friends in today's Gospel. Let their example give you courage to keep asking Jesus for his healing and mercy! "Jesus, I believe that nothing is beyond your ability to heal and forgive!" Hebrews 4:1-5, 11
Psalm 78:3-4, 6-8 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: |  Hear AI Read it for u | In the Holy Scripture we hear today: "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,
'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk'?
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"
–he said to the paralytic,
"I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."
He rose, picked up his mat at once,
and went away in the sight of everyone.
They were all astounded
and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."....." end Gospel quote, word of the Lord. | From Bishop Barron: "G.K. Chesterton said that even those who reject the doctrine of the Incarnation (like the Pharisees) are different for having heard it. The claim that God became one of us changes the imagination, compelling a reassessment of both God and the world. This odd assertion is made, implicitly or explicitly, on practically every page of the New Testament.
Therefore, when Jesus forgives the paralytic's sin, the Pharisees respond that only God can forgive sins, thereby, despite themselves, professing faith in the Good News....." end quote.
From a spanish reflection:
"Jesus says to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat, and go home."
With these words, he not only restores his ability to walk, but gives him dignity and fully restores him. This miracle is a sign of the Kingdom of God: a kingdom where forgiveness and healing transform lives.
What areas of our lives need Jesus' healing? How can we witness His healing power for others?" end quote from Roberto Juárez.
One of the Holy Catholic Church's greatest gifts is the Sacrament of healing, and for that, there are 2 Sacraments. The first, is the sacrament of Confession, a Reconciliation with the whole body of Christ, the Church. Christ is present there by the authority of Christ Himself. The other sacrament is called anointing of the sick. Both involve forgiveness of sins. And this is healing of the soul, which in turn, and in most cases heals the physical body as well.
But, as it stands, very few need healing apparently, by the looks of the short lines to confessions. Is it because we have such advanced medicine and technology now that few people go to confession for physical healing? Why do we people not feel spiritually sick? Back in time of our Lord, the Jews tied physical ailments with spiritual ailments. Nowadays, we have said it is not the same. And it is true, we can't blame everything on sin and darkness, but that does not mean much sin and darkness is not at work and hurting many souls both spiritually and physically. Forgiveness heals. That is why our Lord is always asking us to heal others, and how? Forgive them. Forgive them as you would like to be forgiven, as we say in the Lord's prayer. It is at the heart of His prayer teaching to us. Forgive, and then go for forgiveness.
Our Lord awaits with an open heart with His open arms, those who desire mercy.
And where there is true mercy, there is true grace and love.
My Lord, I desire Your mercy, help me with mercy for the world, together may we live the message of Your grace! |  audio | Random Bible Verse 1
1 Thessalonians 5:15 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
