† Saint Quote:“It is suffering, more than anything else, which clears the way for the grace which transforms human souls. Suffering, more than anything else makes present in the history of humanity the powers of the Redemption.” -Pope St. John Paul II Today’s Meditation"The divine activity permeates the whole universe, it pervades every creature; wherever they are it is there; it goes before them, with them, and it follows them; all they have to do is to let the waves bear them on. Would to God that ... all men could know how very easy it would be for them to arrive at a high degree of sanctity. They would only have to fulfill the simple duties of Christianity and of their state in life; to embrace with submission the crosses belonging to that state, and to submit with faith and love to the designs of Providence in all those things that have to be done or suffered without going out of their way to seek occasions for themselves. ... This is the spirituality of all ages and of every state. No state of life can, assuredly, be sanctified in a more exalted manner, nor in a more wonderful and easy way than by the simple use of the means that God, the sovereign director of souls, gives them to do or to suffer at each moment." —Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade, p. 8
An excerpt from Abandonment to Divine Providence Daily VerseEnter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few. -Matthew 7:13-14
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EWTN Daily Saint
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St Philip NeriSt. Philip Neri (1515–1595) was born in Florence, Italy, to the noble class. He was a dutiful child with a cheerful disposition, making him popular with all who knew him. At the age of 18 he was to begin an apprenticeship for a career in business. However, after having a mystical experience, his life was radically changed. He traveled to Rome and entrusted himself completely to God's providence. He found living accommodations with a fellow Florentine in exchange for tutoring his sons, which Philip did with great skill. He then enrolled in philosophy and theology classes at a local monastery in order to become a priest. Although he excelled in his studies, he suddenly quit in order to spiritually serve the people of Rome. At that time, indifference, luxury, and corruption were widespread characteristics of the Roman clergy. Churches were neglected, flocks were abandoned, and the loss of faith was widespread. St. Philip Neri, with his commitment to a life of asceticism, was a contradiction to all of this malaise. With his characteristic good-naturedness, he lead many to a life of virtue and love for God as he traveled through the streets of Rome. He began an oratory for laymen to gather together and practice greater spiritual discipline, which grew and became famous. In obedience to his spiritual director he finally became a priest at the age of 34. He also started a religious order known simply as "The Oratory." St. Philip Neri is known as the "Apostle of Rome." He is the patron of Rome and the U.S. Army Special Forces. His feast day is May 26.
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Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, PriestLectionary: 348 Reading 11 Peter 1:10-16 Beloved:
Concerning the salvation of your souls
the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours
searched and investigated it
investigating the time and circumstances
that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated
when it testified in advance
to the sufferings destined for Christ
and the glories to follow them.
It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you
with regard to the things that have now been announced to you
by those who preached the Good News to you
through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven,
things into which angels longed to look. Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly,
and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you
at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Like obedient children,
do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance
but, as he who called you is holy,
be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct,
for it is written, Be holy because I am holy. Responsorial PsalmPsalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 R. (2a) The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation. AlleluiaSee Matthew 11:25 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. GospelMark 10:28-31 Peter began to say to Jesus,
"We have given up everything and followed you."
Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you,
there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters
or mother or father or children or lands
for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:
houses and brothers and sisters
and mothers and children and lands,
with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.
But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first."
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Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ!
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From Word Among Us WAU.org
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Daily Meditation: Mark 10:28-31 . . . a hundred times more. (Mark 10:30) Reacting to Jesus’ words about how hard it can be for the rich to enter the kingdom of God, Peter told Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you” (Mark 10:28). You can hear him asking himself, “What’s the use? We’re just poor fishermen; will we receive anything in return for following Jesus?” Jesus’ response is as clear as it is amazing: they will receive “a hundred times more” in this life (Mark 10:30). God will bless them all overabundantly for everything they have given up. Now, if Peter could have looked into the future, he would have seen that “hundredfold” blessing and so much more. Just look at what happened because Peter, James, and the rest left everything behind to follow Jesus and proclaim his death and resurrection. Because of them, you are reading this meditation right now! Because of them, you received the gift of Baptism. Because of them, you can join millions upon millions of believers in worshipping the Lord, hearing his voice, and knowing his personal love for you! You don’t have to be a heroic apostle. You don’t have to be a daring missionary or a perfectly holy saint. You don’t have to be a martyr. You don’t have to do anything exactly the way that the apostles did in order to follow Jesus’ call. But you do have to do something. Jesus will ask you to sacrifice some things along the road of discipleship. Maybe it will be money or resources, which he will ask you to give to the needy. Maybe it will be time as you listen to a friend who is dealing with a traumatic experience. Or perhaps it will be your comfort as you step out and share your faith with someone. If you make these offerings, big or small, Jesus will take them and use them to build his Church. You can’t multiply them by yourself, but he can. As you unite your acts of generosity and selflessness with the Lord, they will reach much further than they ever could without him. They will change hearts, heal wounds, and restore dignity. You may not always see the results, but you can trust that Jesus is ready to do great things through you! “Lord, I offer all my actions, words, and thoughts to you today. Help me to do your will!” 1 Peter 1:10-16
Psalm 98:1-4
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Reflections with Brother Adrian:
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Audio of 2 Cents
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From today's Holy Gospel: "...... Peter began to say to Jesus,
"We have given up everything and followed you."
Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you,
there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters
or mother or father or children or lands
for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: ..... ”
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Roberto Juarez said today:
"Today this Gospel invites us to ask ourselves: What am I called to leave behind in order to better follow Christ? What attachments are preventing me from moving forward spiritually? Do I really trust that God can fill my life more than anything else? Do I live faith as a burden or as a treasure? Sometimes we are afraid to give ourselves totally because we think that God is going to take too much from us. But Christian experience shows the opposite: when God asks for something, it is never to empty us, but to fill us more. The problem is that many times we want to follow Jesus... without moving anything in our lives. We want the Gospel without conversion. We want the resurrection without the cross. We want eternal life without surrender. And Jesus today reminds us that whoever loses his life for Him, truly finds it.
Let us ask the Lord for a free heart. Free to follow you without reservation. Free to trust. Free to leave behind that which separates us from Him. And let us also ask him to discover that the Gospel does not impoverish life, but enlarges it; it does not extinguish it, but fills it with meaning. Because no one who has sincerely bet on Christ is disappointed."
end quote.
Bishop Barron said: "St. Augustine was right: “Lord, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” We are all wired for God. There is a hunger in us that nothing in this world can possibly satisfy. Only Jesus can lead us to the heavenly banquet; and that’s why we must follow him."
end quote.
Our Lord said: "But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first."
What in the world does this mean?
When we are in doubt of what our Lord means, we should go visit Him and ask Him ourselves. You can also visit with Him in the recess of your heart, and there, join yourself to Him in the Blessed Sacrament. Yes, our minds can always be with Him.
Yes, our hearts can always be with Him.
Yes our souls can be united with Him.
And let Him clarify what this means as HE says "my child, look at the crucifix. The last, the forgotten, they shall be first".
Sacrifice. True Love. God showing the way.
Let there be no more doubt in your heart. Because if there is confusion...most often, the evil one is at work, to confuse us.
In the Lord, there is perfect clarity, and perfect charity.
So how can we be last? The greatest must be the greatest servant. Servants get abused. Yes. Servants are expected to be good at their calling yes. Perhaps this is why our Lord offers persecutions as well as more mothers and brothers, children and lands to come with eternity.
You see, sufferings are cherishable in Heaven...they see ourselves suffering and wish to unite their grace from Heaven. If only we would offer our sufferings...to unite ourselves, in mind, heart, body, and soul with the Heavens that God has created.
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Random Bible Verse 1
James 4:7 " Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Word of the Lord!
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