The Precious Blood"Prayer to the Precious Blood" written by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: Lord Jesus, by faith in Your merits, I now take Your Precious Blood and sprinkle it over myself and my family right from the crown of my head to the very soles of my feet. I claim total and complete protection for my life and my family. Lord Jesus, keep me free today from evil, sin, temptation, Satan’s attacks and afflictions, fear of darkness, fear of man, sickness, diseases, doubts, anger, all calamities and from all that is not of thy Kingdom. Fill me, Lord Jesus, with the gift of Your Holy Spirit, and grant me the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, understanding and discernment so that I will live today in Your glory by doing that which is right. Amen.
† Saint Quote:“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” St. Augustine Daily VerseDo you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
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EWTN Daily Saint
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St. Bernardino Realino (1530–1616) was born in Italy to a noble family. He grew into an accomplished "Renaissance Man" of his day; he studied law and medicine, had a successful career as an attorney and judge, and served as the mayor of three cities. At the age of 34 he completed an eight-day retreat with Jesuit priests, and during this time he discerned a call to the religious life. He entered the Jesuit order and was ordained a priest in 1567. As a priest he preached, taught, and visited the sick and poor in the areas of Naples and Lecce. He was much loved and venerated by the people he ministered to, especially because of the miracles he performed. It was commonly believed among the people that he was a living saint. Even public scandal and civil strife were calmed due to his holy influence. While he was on his death bed, the city leaders of Lecce came to request of him that he become the official patron saint of their city once he entered heaven. After St. Bernardino's death, vials of his blood were kept for veneration, which were observed to liquefy and exhibit unusual phenomena for more than a century. St. Bernardino Realino's feast day is July 2nd.
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Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary TimeLectionary: 380 Reading 1Amos 7:10-17 Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent word to Jeroboam,
king of Israel:
"Amos has conspired against you here within Israel;
the country cannot endure all his words.
For this is what Amos says:
Jeroboam shall die by the sword,
and Israel shall surely be exiled from its land." To Amos, Amaziah said:
"Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah!
There earn your bread by prophesying,
but never again prophesy in Bethel;
for it is the king's sanctuary and a royal temple."
Amos answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet,
nor have I belonged to a company of prophets;
I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores.
The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me,
'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'
Now hear the word of the LORD!" You say: prophesy not against Israel,
preach not against the house of Isaac.
Now thus says the LORD:
Your wife shall be made a harlot in the city,
and your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword;
Your land shall be divided by measuring line,
and you yourself shall die in an unclean land;
Israel shall be exiled far from its land. Responsorial PsalmPsalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11 R. (10cd) The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just. Alleluia2 Corinthians 5:19 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. GospelMatthew 9:1-8 After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town.
And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
"Courage, child, your sins are forgiven."
At that, some of the scribes said to themselves,
"This man is blaspheming."
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,
"Why do you harbor evil thoughts?
Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Rise and walk'?
But that you may know that the Son of Man
has authority on earth to forgive sins"–
he then said to the paralytic,
"Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home."
He rose and went home.
When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe
and glorified God who had given such authority to men.
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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: Amos 7:10-17Prophesy not against Israel. (Amos 7:16) When historians in the future look back at our present, they will likely dub this the “Age of the Influencer.” Social media is filled with videos of people recommending new products. Many are health and beauty products that promise to turn back ageing, build muscle, and restore vitality. It sounds good, but there’s a catch: some influencers are paid by the makers of these products to say such positive things. Amos was definitely not a paid influencer! He was determined to deliver the unvarnished truth, even if it made powerful people uncomfortable. But because he prophesied against the king, the chief priest, Amaziah, tried to banish him. “Never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple” (Amos 7:13). He hoped that by getting rid of the messenger, he could safely ignore the message. How about you? Have you ever had to hear a difficult message? Maybe you’ve been convicted by a Scripture passage or a pointed focus in a homily or even a challenge from your own child or another loved one. It’s human nature to want to hear only good things about ourselves, but sometimes the Lord puts someone in the right place at the right time with just the right words to shake us up. No one grows in holiness if they are surrounded by people who only affirm them. We all need people in our lives who are willing to help us see our blind spots and challenge us when necessary. So when you hear such a message, don’t compound the situation by doubling down or trying to shout down the person who speaks it to you. Amaziah made this mistake, claiming that “the country cannot endure” Amos’ words (Amos 7:10). The better response is to examine your heart to see if there is any truth to what you’ve heard. Ask the Lord for the grace to correct any area in your life where you may be falling short of his will. And then trust that he will show you the way forward. Remember: God never convicts us of sin without also giving us a sense of hope and a willingness to make amends. If you follow this conviction, repent of any sin you see, and decide to make a change, he will honor your humility and sincerity of heart. “Jesus, help me to be open to those who will speak a truth that can set me free!” Psalm 19:8-11
Matthew 9:1-8
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Reflections with Brother Adrian:
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From today's Holy Gospel: ".."Why do you harbor evil thoughts?
Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Rise and walk'?
But that you may know that the Son of Man
has authority on earth to forgive sins"–
he then said to the paralytic,
"Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home."
He rose and went home.
When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe
and glorified God who had given such authority to men.. ”
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From Bishop Barron: "... Why does God forgive our sins? Because he wants us alive, he wants us moving, he wants us in action, realizing what we can be. Jesus comes to liberate us for deeper life, to open a new future to us. Sin is a refusal to live according to God’s purposes and desires. Our obsession with past sins paralyzes us. God is opposed to this obsession with the past because it renders us unable to move. I can brood over my past sins to such a degree that I become finally paralyzed, unable to move. “Your sins are forgiven” is another way of saying, “Don’t be paralyzed by sins that you undoubtedly worry about far more than God does.” After saying his sins are forgiven, Jesus says, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” That’s the way it works. First comes the forgiveness of sins, and that is a liberating power in us. Now I can live for the future." end quote.
From Roberto Juarez:
" Dear brothers and sisters, today's Gospel reminds us that Jesus wants to heal our whole person. Get to know our visible and invisible paralysis. He knows where our deepest wounds are. And he never tires of repeating to us: "Courage, son." Let us ask him to grant us the humility to let ourselves be led to him, like the paralytic. May we never distrust the power of his forgiveness. And that, once raised by his grace, may we walk joyfully, bearing not the weight of our ancient slavery, but the witness of the mercy that has transformed our lives." end quote.
The power of forgiveness is a formidable force...from Heaven.
How crazy to think that it is within grasp, and we do not fathom the gift.
How crazy of us to not desire forgiveness.
And how crazy of us to not desire to forgive others...thus, sparing them from harm.
But that is how all lived until our Lord appears on earth.
He ushered in a new era which we will hear about on Sunday's Gospel...a peace like no other, a meekness that has not been valued.
I teach adult O.C.I.A. classes, and when it comes to Sacraments, I am doubling down and their tremendous importance. These existed before the Bible was put together!
Just now, I am appreciating...what the Holy Church has to offer.
And it came by way of experience and teaching. A good teacher is one who has gone through it themselves, amen?
This is why parents are good teachers! Now what about faith...and forgiveness?
In Holy Mass we pray "Lord Have Mercy" many, MANY times.
My brothers and my sisters, after what I have experienced in the Lord Himself... I can only say this: MERCY IS EVERYTHING,
To receive mercy, and to be merciful.
His Coming to earth was to bring us Mercy from God the Father by being God the Father's blood, body, soul and divinity in the Holy Eucharist.
And there He was, in the flesh, forgiving and healing, and saving a soul, and what did the scribes do? They acted just like those village people that rejected our Lord, for healing, and saving souls... they were so blind! So possessed, or obsessed, or whatever infatuation they were lead to live by!
For healing a man...Jesus is condemned. And that healed person is you.
You see, the Bible was not written for some odd strangers...but for the Child God wants it read to...His love story written with His own Blood.
After writing those words my heart burns and my tears burn my eyes.
WHY? Why Lord, so much actual caring for us individually?
He heals a broken lamb, because HE Himself is the Lamb that can heal and save. He has experienced rejection just like you. He has experienced pain, just like you. Only this kind of teacher can truly help you. Been there done that. He has a solution...His heart is now offered to you.
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Random Bible Verse 1 Psalm 31:24
" Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!"
Word of the Lord!
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God Bless You! Peace
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