MINUTE MEDITATIONS
Blessed Daniel Brottier (1876-1936) Daniel spent most of his life in the trenches—one way or another. Born in France in 1876, Daniel was ordained in 1899 and began a teaching career. That didn't satisfy him long. He wanted to use his zeal for the gospel far beyond the classroom. He joined the missionary Congregation of the Holy Spirit, which sent him to Senegal, West Africa. After eight years there, his health was suffering. He was forced to return to France, where he helped raise funds for the construction of a new cathedral in Senegal. At the outbreak of World War I Daniel became a volunteer chaplain and spent four years at the front. He did not shrink from his duties. Indeed, he risked his life time and again in ministering to the suffering and dying. It was miraculous that he did not suffer a single wound during his 52 months in the heart of battle. After the war he was invited to help establish a project for orphaned and abandoned children in a Paris suburb. He spent the final 13 years of his life there. He died in 1936 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Paris only 48 years later. PresenceAt any time of the day or night we can call on Jesus. FreedomLord, may I never take the gift ConsciousnessTo be conscious about something is to be aware of it. Dear Lord help me to remember that You gave me life. Thank you for the gift of life. Teach me to slow down, to be still and enjoy the pleasures created for me. The Word of GodReading 1JAS 5:9-12Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of the perseverance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, because the Lord is compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your "Yes" mean "Yes" and your "No" mean "No," that you may not incur condemnation. Responsorial Psalm PS 103:1-2, 3-4, 8-9, 11-12 R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful. Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. R. The Lord is kind and merciful. He pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion. R. The Lord is kind and merciful. Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. He will not always chide, nor does he keep his wrath forever. R. The Lord is kind and merciful. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us. R. The Lord is kind and merciful. Gospel MK 10:1-12 Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom, he again taught them. The Pharisees approached him and asked, "Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?" They were testing him. He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?" They replied, "Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her." But Jesus told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." ConversationWhat is stirring in me as I pray? Am I consoled, troubled, left cold? I imagine Jesus himself standing or sitting at my side and share my feelings with him. ConclusionGlory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, 7th Week in Ordinary Time What God has joined together, no human being must separate. (Mark 10:9)
If we've been through a divorce or know someone who has, we might have a hard time accepting these words. We might find ourselves thinking, "Doesn't Jesus understand why marriages break down? Why can't he show a little more compassion?" If we know anything of the guilt, anger, and sadness that come with divorce, it might seem as if Jesus is being a legalist here or that he enjoys "arresting" us on the charge of a broken marriage. But remember who Jesus was talking to: legalistic Pharisees. They were looking for loopholes, trying to trap him by getting him to spell out when it was acceptable to leave one's spouse. In response, Jesus told the truth, as he always did. Yes, marriage is sacred to God, and it is a blessing for us. It's a union between two people that is sealed by the Holy Spirit, and the last thing he wants is for us to go through the agony of having that union torn apart. Notice, however, that while Jesus said that divorce should not happen, he never said a condemning word about people whose marriages end up failing. He knows that we are human beings who make mistakes; that's why he came to earth! Look, for instance, at how he treated someone who was caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). The legalists were there, quoting the Law that says that the woman should be stoned. But when Jesus confronted them with their own sinfulness, they walked away. Then, he tells the woman, "Neither do I condemn you" (John 8:11). If you are going through the pain of divorce, Jesus has the same words for you. He's not asking whose fault it was, and he isn't holding your sin—or someone else's—in front of you. That's what Satan does, and we should never listen to his voice! No, Jesus wants to heal you and set you free. He wants to take whatever is wounded or broken in your life and make it new. So let this be the day that you accept his mercy and healing. "Jesus, send your Spirit on all those families wounded by divorce. Let them know that your grace can break the chains of hatred, mistrust, and unforgiveness. Shine your light and heal their pain!"
James 5:9-12 Psalm 103:1-4, 8-9, 11-12 my2cents: Allow me to translate today's 5minutos: "The festivity hall was joyfully adorned with precious flowers and ribbons. At the width of the front of the hall hung a banner that one could read "Many Congratulations To A Radiant Couple". They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Family and friends, that came from near or far, had congregated to render them homage. Their four children took turns expressing their most tender memories and greatest lessons learned from their parents. Then, they cut the cake, took photos and enjoyed being together. In a hurry, the afternoon ended. The friends said goodbye; the members of the family took memories and retired. Then at night, one of the grandchildren asked: "Grandma, what is the secret to be happily married for fifty years?". Without joking, her grandmother responded "We are always disposed to talk about any matter". Recent investigations support that conclusion. A study that was done, between couples with more than twenty years of marriage, revealed that the only thing they had in common was that they chatted daily. Perhaps ever since they discovered how to communicate, they set themselves to talk about their differences when difficult periods came. How many actual couples live in crisis in their homes for the lack of communication and that is fundamental to renew their compromise, and encounter together as believers a solution; not the work, nor friends, nor family, nor commitments outside the home should be an obstacle." WOW. Did you read that? Nothing should come between you and your lover. Now, let's focus on our Lord. Nothing should come between you and Him, especially not sin. Because today's first Holy Scripture talked about our Yes being a Yes and a No being a No. In the things of God things are black and white, yes or no. You either took on a Sacrament, a swearing to God, or you did not. You either are faithful, or you are not. Now, that being said, the Pharisees entered into an argument with Jesus. Can a there be a divorce? Keep in mind, we just read a Yes must mean a Yes. What good are promises if they can be broken? With this, Jesus enters in our lives the Sacraments. Baptism. Confession/Reconciliation. Eucharist. Confirmation. Marriage. Holy Orders. Anointing of the Sick. The Holy Sacraments are outwards signs of what is going on within the Spirit. They are "oaths " as Scott Hahn says in his book "Swear to God". When we become one with God, it means a blessing, not a curse. Baptism makes us one body in Christ. Tear it apart and tear apart at the body. Confession makes us one again reconciled with God; tear it apart and we rupture our union with God. The Eucharist, is Holy Communion with God, being intimately His, where He actually comes into us and we are one; tear this apart and become something else not one with Him. Confirmation is an oath to God; tear it apart and you tear apart your promise to be one with Him. Marriage is a union with not just each other, but each other with God. Tear apart and you tear apart the Trinitarian love and union that He joined. Holy orders means you give yourself to God, as priest, clergy, religious, in union with God; tear it apart and tear apart the union you promised to Him and the Church. Anointing of the Sick unites us to God in healing, especially healing of the soul, not just the body, because we are united to Him in this way; tear it apart and you break the union. You see, Jesus came to gather, unite us to Him to the Father. He is the glue, the Truth. I read a quote from Edgar Cayce "Arguments will seldom change the aspects or the views of any. And truth itself needs no champion, for it is of itself champion of champions - and needs no defense; only for self to live according to that which IS the truth!" The Pharisees argued with Jesus, the Truth. How many times do we argue with the Truth? How about just talking without arguing? Talk with God and you pray to Him. He knows how to unite. He knows the Way. We often get lost and try to make our own way in this life. How hard. How hard a life without purpose. We were created for a purpose, to be His wholly and Holy His. What God unites, and He united with Jesus, HIS SON, the Son of GOD is us to Him. He unites us to Him in 7 Special ways, none of which are meant to be torn apart. Out of convenience we knick and pick apart at them and all for not. I am asking for a blessing my child. Bless God. Because children can bless their parents, we can bless God. And because parents can bless their children, God blesses His. Be His. Be ALL HIS. Then the union becomes a communion. The reciprocating effects produce a light unto the world, much like the moment we are created. God Bless you. you Bless God adrian Subscribe to this mailing list. | |||||||
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