 From: MorningOffering Website | Quote of the Day "There is nothing the devil fears so much, or so much tries to hinder, as prayer." -St. Philip Neri Today's Meditation "Everything that exists is a gift from God. Yet oftentimes we look to the things and creatures created by God for a satisfaction and fulfillment that only God Himself can provide. When the soul wraps itself around the things and the people of this world, looking for satisfaction or fulfillment that only God can give, it produces a distortion in itself, and in others as well. Many spiritual writers call the process of unwinding this possessive, self-centered, clinging, and disordered seeking of things and persons 'detachment'. The goal of the process of detachment is not to stop loving the things and people of this world, but, quite to the contrary, to love them even more truly in God, under the reign of Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Things and people become even more beautiful and delightful when we see them in this light. There are almost always painful dimensions to this process of 'letting go' in order to love more, but it's the pain of true healing and liberation. Christian detachment is an important part of the process by which we enter into a realm of great freedom and joy." —Ralph Martin, p.205
An excerpt from The Fulfillment of All Desire Daily Verse "For it is not those who hear the law who are just in the sight of God; rather, those who observe the law will be justified." -Romans 2:13 |  EWTN Daily Saint | | St Eulogius of Cordoba St. Eulogius of Cordoba (9th c.) was a priest from a prominent Christian family in Cordoba (Cordova), Spain. He was well-educated, humble, gentle, friendly, and a gifted leader with the charism of encouragement, especially towards Christians facing martyrdom. In his time Cordoba was the capital of the Muslim conquerors of Catholic Spain. The Muslim leaders allowed Christians to live in relative peace until a persecution arose when some of the Muslim population began converting to Christianity. They imprisoned the clergy, including Eulogius. While in prison Eulogius read the Bible to his companions and exhorted them to faithfulness in the face of martyrdom. He also wrote to two other young female converts who were facing threats, instructing them that no matter how terribly they were physically abused, it could not harm their souls, and that they must fight for their faith till death and leave God to defend his Church. St. Eulogius was released and later jailed again for hiding a young female convert who fled from her family in fear of her life. St. Eulogius' judge offered him escape if he would weaken the practice of his religion, but instead he preached the Gospel to the presiding court. He was immediately beheaded. St. Eulogius' feast day is March 11th. | Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent Lectionary: 239 Reading 1 Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 Moses spoke to the people and said:
"Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees
which I am teaching you to observe,
that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land
which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.
Therefore, I teach you the statutes and decrees
as the LORD, my God, has commanded me,
that you may observe them in the land you are entering to occupy.
Observe them carefully,
for thus will you give evidence
of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations,
who will hear of all these statutes and say,
'This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.'
For what great nation is there
that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us
whenever we call upon him?
Or what great nation has statutes and decrees
that are as just as this whole law
which I am setting before you today? "However, take care and be earnestly on your guard
not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen,
nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live,
but teach them to your children and to your children's children." Responsorial Psalm Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20 R. (12a) Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
He spreads snow like wool;
frost he strews like ashes.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. Verse Before the Gospel See John 6:63c, 68c Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
You have the words of everlasting life. Gospel Matthew 5:17-19 Jesus said to his disciples:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter
will pass from the law,
until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven." | Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ! |  From Word Among Us WAU.org | Daily Meditation: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 What great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law? (Deuteronomy 4:8) The Book of Deuteronomy opens as the Israelites are about to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land. In the first four chapters, Moses recounts the Israelites' military victories and stresses the importance of fidelity to God and his laws. He knows he won't accompany the people across the Jordan (Deuteronomy 1:37), so he tells them all they need to know so they can flourish in their new homeland. That brings us to today's first reading, as Moses reminds his people of the treasure they have in God's law: "Thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence" (Deuteronomy 4:6). What a reminder for us as well! Not only is God's law a trustworthy guide for living a holy and just life, but it also demonstrates how much God loves us—and how close he is to us. What other people, as Moses asks, has such a great god (4:7)? We know that God's laws are a gift to us. They set boundaries for our behavior and show us how to love God and our neighbor. But who hasn't struggled to keep the commandments? Who hasn't bristled at their restrictions when we find it difficult to obey them, and even begin to resent the God who gave them to us? If that's the case with you at times, Moses' words can give you a larger, more appreciative perspective on the gift of God's commands. He shows that, just as parents set boundaries for their children because they love them and want the best for them, so the Lord does for you. He knows the consequences you will suffer if you disobey, and he wants to protect you. He also knows that when you "observe them carefully," you will grow closer to him (Deuteronomy 4:6). God's commands are a blessing and a protection for us—they guide us and help us to stay close to him. As the psalmist prayed, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path" (Psalm 119:105). So set your heart on obeying the Lord's commands today. He will give you strength and grace to abide by them. And when you do fall short, he will mercifully forgive you. What a great God we have! "Father, thank you for the wisdom of your law." Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20
Matthew 5:17-19 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: |  Audio of 2 Cents | From today's Holy Gospel: "...Jesus said to his disciples:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
...
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven." ..." | From Roberto Juarez: "Jesus also says: "Heaven and earth will pass away before the last letter or tittle of the Law fails to be fulfilled." With this expression he emphasizes that God's plan is serious and definitive. God does not speak for the sake of talking. His word has weight, it has value, it has permanence. But to understand this affirmation we must remember something fundamental: the fullness of the Law is realized in Christ. He Himself is the living Word of God. That is why the Christian does not live simply by obeying a code, but by following a person: Jesus Christ.
Jesus adds a warning: "Whoever skips one of the least important precepts and thus teaches men will be the least in the Kingdom of heaven." Here Jesus reminds us that God's will cannot be taken lightly. Sometimes there is a temptation to select what we like about the gospel and to let go of what makes us uncomfortable. But following Christ implies accepting his teaching with humility and sincerity. Faith is not building a Gospel to our measure, but allowing ourselves to be transformed by the Gospel.
Jesus concludes by saying: "Whoever fulfills and teaches them will be great in the Kingdom of heaven." There are two key words here: fulfill and teach. True authority in the Christian community is not born only from words, but from witness. A coherent life evangelizes more than many discourses. This is true for everyone: for parents in the family, for educators, for catechists, for every believer. The Gospel is transmitted above all through life.
This Gospel invites us to ask ourselves how we live our relationship with God's will. Do we live faith only as a set of external practices? Or do we let the gospel really transform our hearts? Jesus invites us to move from a superficial religion to a deep faith. A faith that is born of love, that is expressed in justice, that is expressed in concrete gestures of mercy.
Brethren, Jesus did not come to destroy the Law of God, but to show its true meaning. The Law reaches its fullness when it is lived from love. It is not just a matter of keeping standards, but of letting the heart be configured to the heart of Christ. Let us ask the Lord for the grace to live an authentic faith, which does not remain external. May his Word illuminate our decisions, transform our attitudes and make our lives a true witness to the Kingdom of God." end quote.
Ok, I think I'm seeing the problem in my world guys, it's me! Look out for that guy in the mirror! Right?
I have a real problem...with myself. The world has a real need of saints. My studies in theology, exorcisms, and even near death experiences...especially of purgatory souls, all are pointing to the fact that only Saints are in Heaven...plus whoever else our Lord decides. So, the normal way...is the Way God has said. Through Him, with Him, and in Him.
And another thing to consider? We are on limited, borrowed time. Let us consider our holiness. And the gravity of our sinfulness. And let us see how we lead in teachings...by the way we live, the way we walk, the way we talk, the things we think and say. Think of the calamity of world disorder...isn't some of that within your own heart? Turmoils? Unrest. Anxiety. Fear. Despondency.
I want to start another round of Adventure Timeline Bible Study in our parish. I tell people, "how will you really know our Lord, if you do not know the bible, and the biggest part of the bible, the Old Testament"? Because in our bible studies, we can see how the old is fulfilled in the new...our Lord Jesus. The Apostles saw the connections, little by little, and even more after our Lord passed away.
What about you? What about me? We are called to be Jesus, on in Him, with Him, and through Him.
We too are fulfilling His prophecies of old...if we so desire. The book of Deuteronomy reminds us to choose God's ways, and it even says choose life! And Jesus is the LIFE!
Lord, help us live Your Law, the fulfillment of God's holy desire. |  Click for Audio | Random Bible Verse 1
Philippians 2:5–8 "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,1 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,2 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,3 being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
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God Bless You! Peace | | |
