Be Clearly Seen

Minute Meditations The Word of God We worship God, not the written words. But we reverence the words of God because they lead us to God himself. — from The Gospels According to Saint Francis St. Pius V (1504-1572) This is the pope whose job was to implement the historic Council of Trent. If we think popes had difficulties in implementing Vatican Council II, Pius V had even greater problems after Trent than four centuries earlier. During his papacy (1566-1572), Pius V was faced with the almost overwhelming responsibility of getting a shattered and scattered Church back on its feet. The family of God had been shaken by corruption, by the Reformation, by the constant threat of Turkish invasion and by the bloody bickering of the young nation-states. In 1545 a previous pope convened the Council of Trent in an attempt to deal with all these pressing problems. Off and on over 18 years, the Church Fathers discussed, condemned, affirmed and decided upon a course of action. The Council closed in 1563. Pius V was elected in 1566 and was charged with the task of implementing the sweeping reforms called for by the Council. He ordered the founding of seminaries for the proper training of priests. He published a new missal, a new breviary, a new catechism and established the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) classes for the young. Pius zealously enforced legislation against abuses in the Church. He patiently served the sick and the poor by building hospitals, providing food for the hungry and giving money customarily used for the papal banquets to poor Roman converts. His decision to keep wearing his Dominican habit led to the custom of the pope wearing a white cassock. In striving to reform both Church and state, Pius encountered vehement opposition from England's Queen Elizabeth and the Roman Emperor Maximilian II. Problems in France and in the Netherlands also hindered Pius's hopes for a Europe united against the Turks. Only at the last minute was he able to organize a fleet which won a decisive victory in the Gulf of Lepanto, off Greece, on October 7, 1571. Pius's ceaseless papal quest for a renewal of the Church was grounded in his personal life as a Dominican friar. He spent long hours with his God in prayer, fasted rigorously, deprived himself of many customary papal luxuries and faithfully observed the spirit of the Dominican Rule that he had professed. Comment: In their personal lives and in their actions as popes, Pius V and Venerable Paul VI (d. 1978) both led the family of God in the process of interiorizing and implementing the new birth called for by the Spirit in major Councils. With zeal and patience, Pius and Paul pursued the changes urged by the Council Fathers. Like Pius and Paul, we too are called to constant change of heart and life. Quote: "In this universal assembly, in this privileged point of time and space, there converge together the past, the present, and the future. The past: for here, gathered in this spot, we have the Church of Christ with her tradition, her history, her councils, her doctors, her saints; the present: we are taking leave of one another to go out toward the world of today with its miseries, its sufferings, its sins, but also with its prodigious accomplishments, values, and virtues; and the future is here in the urgent appeal of the peoples of the world for more justice, in their will for peace, in their conscious or unconscious thirst for a higher life, that life precisely which the Church of Christ can give and wishes to give to them" (from Pope Paul's closing message at Vatican II).   Saint of the Day Lives, Lessons and Feast By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.     Presence Dear Jesus, I come to you today longing for your presence. I desire to love you as You love me. May nothing ever separate me from You.   Freedom Lord, you created me to live in freedom. May your Holy Spirit guide me to follow you freely. Instil in my heart a desire To know and love you more each day.   Consciousness Knowing that God loves me unconditionally, I can afford to be honest about how I am. How has the last day been, and how do I feel now? I share my feelings openly with the Lord.   The Word of God Reading 1 acts 5:17-26 The high priest rose up and all his companions, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and, filled with jealousy, laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said, "Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life." When they heard this, they went to the temple early in the morning and taught. When the high priest and his companions arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin, the full senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the jail to have them brought in. But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison, so they came back and reported, "We found the jail securely locked and the guards stationed outside the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside." When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report, they were at a loss about them, as to what this would come to. Then someone came in and reported to them, "The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area and are teaching the people." Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them, but without force, because they were afraid of being stoned by the people. Responsorial Psalm ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor. or: R. Alleluia. I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the LORD; the lowly will hear me and be glad. R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor. or: R. Alleluia. Glorify the LORD with me, let us together extol his name. I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor. or: R. Alleluia. Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him. R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor. or: R. Alleluia. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Taste and see how good the LORD is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him. R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor. or: R. Alleluia. Gospel jn 3:16-21 God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.   Conversation Conversation requires talking and listening.  As I talk to Jesus may I also learn to be still and listen.  I picture the gentleness in His eyes and the smile full of love as he gazes on me.  I can be totally honest with Jesus as I tell Him of my worries and my cares.  I will open up my heart to Him as I tell Him of my fears and my doubts.  I will ask Him to help me to place myself fully in His care, to abandon myself to Him, knowing that He always wants what is best for me.   Conclusion Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.     Meditation: Acts 5:17-26 View NAB Reading at USCCB.org Subscriber? Login to view archives. Saint Pius V, Pope The Sadducees, filled with jealousy, laid hands upon the apostles and put them in the public jail. (Acts 5:17-18) How would you describe the feeling of jealousy? To some, it is an all-too-familiar stinging, burning, aching of the soul. According to Scripture, "Jealousy rots the bones" (Proverbs 14:30). How unpleasant! Why do we allow ourselves to get this way? Well, for one thing, there's self-centeredness involved—at least with the unholy, garden variety jealousy. We can't handle seeing someone else have something that we want, so we become angry, resentful, and jealous. But there's more to the story than this. Think about how the Sadducees saw the apostles performing wonders and gaining the favor and awe of the people. When they should have been focusing their "seeing" on God—specifically, what he was doing in that moment and how he was being expressed in the apostles' miraculous signs—they didn't. Instead of seeing what God was doing and joyfully joining him in it, they stayed outside. They watched the disciples perform miracles until they were so filled with envy that they couldn't see clearly. Maybe we could think about jealousy as a matter of misplaced vision and skewed perception. Vision, because instead of keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and his love and mercy toward us, we fix our gaze on someone else. And perception, because while we're so distracted with the specific gifts, talents, and blessings that God has given another person, we can't possibly perceive all that he has given us. How can we discover that we are fearfully and wonderfully made with awesome gifts and talents of our own? How can we live like the person who God made us to be when we are so focused on the way other people are? The best way to avoid being "filled with jealousy" is to fill ourselves with better things. Fill your mind with the truths of God's promises and his grace. Fill your heart with his love and mercy. Let these be the things you reflect on every day. And when someone else is doing well or is getting something that you want, it will be that much easier to rejoice with them and then get on with being who God called you to be. "I praise you, Lord, because I am wonderfully made. "Wonderful are your works!" (Psalm 139:14)   Psalm 34:2-9; John 3:16-21 my2cents: I don't ever want to lose a lamb for God, it is one of the hardest parts of ministering, and for this I live off your prayers.  I say this because it is rare to have one unsubscribe, but I don't know the man who did, but I pray for the cause of God, for us to be united.  If there is confusion in what I say, tell me, I am your servant, the servant of the Lord, an apprentice in Christianity, as Eduardo Bonnin the founder of Cursillos said.  There is nothing easy about many ministries, they take hard work and dedication if you do them right.  It is especially hard for the first few years, many tears, many struggles, but I've noticed they get smoother if you give it time, love, and care, TLC, LOL.  And it is so with the writings I do on weekdays for you and for me.  It's not about me, it's about Him, and our faith.  If yesterday I said possessions and what we consider as blessings a curse, then you have to understand that they are curse for the purpose of realizing what should come first in our lives...GOD, not family but a family for God, not money but money for God, not work but work for God;  the first people of God in Jesus were fully His after the resurrection, and His we wish to be this very day.  It normally takes about a full hour to prepare this email, among many interruptions, people who barge in on the meditation I pray for them or look for Jesus in them for inspiration.  That is a crucial message for those who feel imprisoned, and God still wants to use in His Kingdom.  If a baptized soul is now available for the Kingdom of God, why shouldn't we encourage one another to bring more souls to God?  What about all those that never know or are baptized?  Are they doomed to Hell?  I am not God, I will not answer for that, but I will answer for every soul I contact in my life.  I need not worry about those across the world, but those across the hall, or town, all the acquaintances and instances of seeing and communicating.  I started our company safety meeting this morning with a prayer, and I read a prayer on the projector screen, some prayer I found on youtube which at one point said something like "help others to see you Lord in me today".  You can't keep the good surpressed forever, Jesus did not die on a cross and remain there.  He did not die on the cross for our damnation, but for our SALVATION.  He did not come to show us how bad we were, but to show us how good we can be, how HOLY we can be, how much surrender for others we can do, and He shows us what true love really is, and you let the Holy Spirit tell you right now in your heart what that is...the Shepherd, the Highest Priest in the Universe.  But people preferred darknes to light.  Hmm, sounds like people nowadays?  The sad part of someone leaving the church is that the lights get a little dimmer, not so much for the church, but for the person leaving.  That's why Jesus is the Good Shepherd, came for the lost, not the ones found.  It is absolutely critical that we talk to each other, and to God.  A shepherd finds a lamb easier if it makes a sound,  but unfortunately they rarely make sounds in the dark or when being devoured, as far as lambs are concerned.  For everyone who does wicked things HATES the light.  I rather you tell me how much you hate me than not to tell me anything, and why? So I can know what I am facing head on and not being left alone.  LOL, i'm kind of getting used to the namecalling, it's not that big a deal, the slanderous remarks, but what I can not stand is people turning their backs on God and turning to darkness.  I will not let you fall for that, and I will put up a fight, and I will tell on you, and when I tell on you, you will not be in trouble, you WILL BE SAVED.  For God gave us His ONLY SON, so that we might believe and not perish but live forever and be forever HIS.   WHen you come to the light, the light of salvation, people will see, and because you are in the light, they will even see your flaws, but that's OK, because the more you come into the light, the harder it will be to see the flaws being wiped away into Holiness, and wholeness in Him.  I can see a transformation in people, and often in the least expected, and as a matter of fact, if you let your soul be touched, you can even see a different light around them.  The light of the Lord glows to show what we should already know, we are children of the light, in constant search for the lost.  Guess who the lost are?  Those you shake your head at, those in the wrong, those in dire need of the Good Shepherd and in your sights   adrian   Subscribe

Going4th,

Be Lifted Up

Minute Meditations Part of the Plan God has a plan for us that we may not understand at the moment. As the day unfolds, however, we often come to see clearly His amazing grace. He tends to lead us on the paths we may never have journeyed on our own. — from Visiting Mary St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) The value Catherine makes central in her short life and which sounds clearly and consistently through her experience is complete surrender to Christ. What is most impressive about her is that she learns to view her surrender to her Lord as a goal to be reached through time. She was the 23rd child of Jacopo and Lapa Benincasa and grew up as an intelligent, cheerful and intensely religious person. Catherine disappointed her mother by cutting off her hair as a protest against being overly encouraged to improve her appearance in order to attract a husband. Her father ordered her to be left in peace, and she was given a room of her own for prayer and meditation. She entered the Dominican Third Order at 18 and spent the next three years in seclusion, prayer and austerity. Gradually a group of followers gathered around her—men and women, priests and religious. An active public apostolate grew out of her contemplative life. Her letters, mostly for spiritual instruction and encouragement of her followers, began to take more and more note of public affairs. Opposition and slander resulted from her mixing fearlessly with the world and speaking with the candor and authority of one completely committed to Christ. She was cleared of all charges at the Dominican General Chapter of 1374. Her public influence reached great heights because of her evident holiness, her membership in the Dominican Third Order, and the deep impression she made on the pope. She worked tirelessly for the crusade against the Turks and for peace between Florence and the pope In 1378, the Great Schism began, splitting the allegiance of Christendom between two, then three, popes and putting even saints on opposing sides. Catherine spent the last two years of her life in Rome, in prayer and pleading on behalf of the cause of Urban VI and the unity of the Church. She offered herself as a victim for the Church in its agony. She died surrounded by her "children" and was canonized in 1461.  Catherine ranks high among the mystics and spiritual writers of the Church. In 1939, she and Francis of Assisi were declared co-patrons of Italy. Paul VI named her and Teresa of Avila doctors of the Church in 1970. Her spiritual testament is found in The Dialogue. Comment: Though she lived her life in a faith experience and spirituality far different from that of our own time, Catherine of Siena stands as a companion with us on the Christian journey in her undivided effort to invite the Lord to take flesh in her own life. Events which might make us wince or chuckle or even yawn fill her biographies: a mystical experience at six, childhood betrothal to Christ, stories of harsh asceticism, her frequent ecstatic visions. Still, Catherine lived in an age which did not know the rapid change of 21st-century mobile America. The value of her life for us today lies in her recognition of holiness as a goal to be sought over the course of a lifetime. Quote: Catherine's book Dialogue contains four treatises—her testament of faith to the spiritual world. She wrote: "No one should judge that he has greater perfection because he performs great penances and gives himself in excess to the staying of the body than he who does less, inasmuch as neither virtue nor merit consists therein; for otherwise he would be an evil case, who for some legitimate reason was unable to do actual penance. Merit consists in the virtue of love alone, flavored with the light of true discretion without which the soul is worth nothing." Patron Saint of: Europe Italy Saint of the Day Lives, Lessons and Feast By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.         Presence I remind myself that I am in your presence O Lord. I will take refuge in your loving heart. You are my strength in times of weakness. You are my comforter in times of sorrow. Freedom Lord you gave me life and the gift of freedom. Through Your love I exist in this world. May I never take the gift of life for granted. May I always respect the right to life of others. Consciousness How am I really feeling? Lighthearted? Heavy-hearted? I may be very much at peace, happy to be here. Equally, I may be frustrated, worried or angry. I acknowledge how I really am. It is the real me that the Lord loves.   The Word of God Reading 1 acts 4:32-37 The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the Apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. Thus Joseph, also named by the Apostles Barnabas (which is translated "son of encouragement"), a Levite, a Cypriot by birth, sold a piece of property that he owned, then brought the money and put it at the feet of the Apostles. Responsorial Psalm ps 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5 R. (1a) The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty. or: R. Alleluia. The LORD is king, in splendor robed; robed is the LORD and girt about with strength. R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty. or: R. Alleluia. And he has made the world firm, not to be moved. Your throne stands firm from of old; from everlasting you are, O LORD. R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty. or: R. Alleluia. Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed: holiness befits your house, O LORD, for length of days. R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty. or: R. Alleluia. Gospel jn 3:7b-15 Jesus said to Nicodemus: "'You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus answered and said to him, 'How can this happen?" Jesus answered and said to him, "You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." Conversation Remembering that I am still in God's presence, I imagine Jesus himself standing or sitting beside me, and say whatever is on my mind, whatever is in my heart, speaking as one friend to another. Conclusion Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Meditation: Acts 4:32-37 View NAB Reading at USCCB.org Subscriber? Login to view archives. Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church There was no needy person among them. (Acts 4:34) Isn't it striking how the first Christians took care of one another? Moved by their love for the Lord and for each other, the wealthier members of their community—people like Barnabas—freely shared their resources with those who were less fortunate. They considered their bounty as a blessing from God, something that they should share with each other rather than hold onto for themselves (Acts 4:34-37). Blessed Frederic Ozanam is a more contemporary example of someone who, like the early Christians, looked beyond himself to the needs of the people around him. When thousands died in a cholera epidemic in Paris in 1832, many more were left destitute. Ozanam, a young university student, was moved at the hopeless state of families who had lost the support of their breadwinners. Then he was stung by another student's remark: "In former times Christianity worked wonders, but what is it doing for mankind now? And you, who pride yourself on your Catholicity, what are you doing for the poor?" In response, Ozanam gathered a few friends and began to do whatever he could to relieve the suffering he saw in the slums of the city. Eventually, a new organization, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, grew from Ozanam's work and spread. Through the society, volunteers serve millions of disadvantaged people around the globe. They provide home visits, job training, housing assistance, food pantries, and medicine for the elderly. They pray with people, care for their needs, and show the love of Christ in countless concrete ways. Most of us don't live in so close-knit a community as the first Christians, where everything was held in common. Nor would many of us be able, like Barnabas, to sell our property, donate it to our local parish, and still be able to care for ourselves and our families. But God still calls us to bear witness to Jesus through acts of generosity and loving service that are in line with our circumstances. So ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see the needs around you. Sharing even a little of your resources, even a little of your time and attention, can make a big difference! "Lord, show me how I can share the blessings you have given me."   Psalm 93:1-2, 5; John 3:7-15 my2cents: The Spanish reflection says today:   "All the teachings of Jesus, all their actions, are centered in the projection of His work to eternal life.  His death and passion are extremely valuable because through them He obtains forgiveness for the sins and life eternal.   The interes of the possessions and temporal needs, even though they are necessary, Jesus does not propose them in the principal plan of His interests.  That is secondary.  ".... sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor....." Luke 18:22   If all the riches and possessions have some sense, it is when they can serve to demonstrate the sincere love of God...helping with them the needy neighbor.   "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" Mathew 6:25   "Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy.p 34For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be." Luke 12:33-34   The riches which can trap the heart and impede the eternal goods, could be: a person, the honor, the pleasure, the popularity, the money, the drug, the possessions...own's own selfishness and pride.  A sparrow in the sky is worth more than a chained eagle.  Do you have you heart chained to the things of the world? " A person told me that they felt like a failure, and I asked him to point out all his failures, and answered loss of job, loss of house for family, loss of other things and I looked at him and said "I do not believe those are failures brother", in the course of the talk, I had realized the real failure, and pointed out to him the fact that he had a choice to go to Holy Mass and had chosen other things that supposedly were good still for the church, but still did not make an effort for that one hour of Sunday Mass.  Why do we get down and blinded?  Or as another brother said last night "we get blind in the mind", and uncle Hector said this morning we get confused in the world, and I said "yes, the devil makes things confusing" and it started with Eve.  The eve of the heart is where it's at.  That's what I told the brother that had missed Mass, "you can't expect to convert others when yourself has not the conversion".  We want everyone and their mommas to change but not us.  The message my child, it's for you and in you.  The message is that of the cross.  I told my brothers last night in friendship, "as I knelt before the Blessed Sacrament, I could not help but tell God that I am a worthless sinner in the world...I could never do what you did Lord on that cross, nor what Sister Anne Emerich did when taking on the sufferings of others".  As unworthy as I am, I come, sinful and sorrowful, here to live another day and fight another day, and love another day for what is good and what is eternal.  The greatest treasure in your heart is what?  Is who?  is when?  is how?  Is where?  The first Christians had no possessions.  The devil had not possessed them.  Today, we live in a world measured by possessions which the devil calls "blessings".  I know this couple that is rather poor, and yet come payday, they would "bless" other people with their money.  I told them "Blessings come in other forms than money".  I asked them to consider what true blessings are, for the very people they "blessed" were actually people that were able to work and were simply mooching, which meant instead of helping they were making them dependent on them, like a pimp or a drugee.  Since then, they stopped "blessing" this one man and the man is now actively working and staying out of drugs and trouble a little more.  I digress, what is important above all is God first.  Mass is a must.  The Body of Christ is offered and it is more important than anything else we will ever come across, because He offered it on a cross for our salvation, to be healed by the bite of the snakes in the world to bring us down in desperation, anxiety, and stress.  Our pains should be that of the Lord, and taking them on for one another.  Uncle Hector asked "what is the principle thing all Christians should do?"  I answered, "be Christ to the world".  That is what a priest is, a priest does, and every Christian should be if we are true lovers and followers of the Christ we proclaim.  You are either all in or not, you are either possessed or you are not.  Possessions can possess you, your family, your job, your pride, you tell me, I see it every day, and you know what else I see?  A world seeking God and they have a chance to see Him in you at every moment we breathe on earth for the eternal...... adrian Subscribe to the Going4th mailing list.

Going4th,

I Told You

Minute Meditations Love as Mary Loves                                            Ask Mary for the grace to love Our Lord as she loves Him and to remain faithful to Him in life and in death. --St. Bernadette — fromVisiting Mary St. Peter Chanel (1803-1841) Anyone who has worked in loneliness, with great adaptation required and with little apparent success, will find a kindred spirit in Peter Chanel. As a young priest he revived a parish in a "bad" district by the simple method of showing great devotion to the sick. Wanting to be a missionary, he joined the Society of Mary (Marists) at 28. Obediently, he taught in the seminary for five years. Then, as superior of seven Marists, he traveled to Western Oceania where he was entrusted with an apostolic vicariate (term for a region that may later become a diocese). The bishop accompanying the missionaries left Peter and a brother on Futuna Island in the New Hebrides, promising to return in six months. He was gone five years. Meanwhile, Pedro struggled with this new language and mastered it, making the difficult adjustment to life with whalers, traders and warring natives. Despite little apparent success and severe want, he maintained a serene and gentle spirit and endless patience and courage. A few natives had been baptized, a few more were being instructed. When the chieftain's son asked to be baptized, persecution by the chieftain reached a climax. Father Chanel was clubbed to death, his body cut to pieces.     Comment: Suffering for Christ means suffering because we are like Christ. Very often the opposition we meet is the result of our own selfishness or imprudence. We are not martyrs when we are "persecuted" by those who merely treat us as we treat them. A Christian martyr is one who, like Christ, is simply a witness to God's love, and brings out of human hearts the good or evil that is already there. Quote: "No one is a martyr for a conclusion, no one is a martyr for an opinion; it is faith that makes martyrs" (Cardinal Newman, Discourses to Mixed Congregations). Patron Saint of: Oceania   Saint of the Day Lives, Lessons and Feast By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M. Presence Dear Jesus, as I call on you today I realise that I often come asking for favours. Today I'd like just to be in your presence. Let my heart respond to Your Love.   Freedom Your death on the cross has set me free. I can live joyously and freely without fear of death. Your mercy knows no bounds.   Consciousness Knowing that God loves me unconditionally, I can afford to be honest about how I am. How has the last day been, and how do I feel now? I share my feelings openly with the Lord.   The Word of God   Reading 1 acts 4:23-31 After their release Peter and John went back to their own people and reported what the chief priests and elders had told them. And when they heard it, they raised their voices to God with one accord and said, "Sovereign Lord, maker of heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them, you said by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant: Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples entertain folly? The kings of the earth took their stand and the princes gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed. Indeed they gathered in this city against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do what your hand and your will had long ago planned to take place. And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness, as you stretch forth your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are done through the name of your holy servant Jesus." As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Responsorial Psalm ps 2:1-3, 4-7a, 7b-9 R. (see 11d) Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord. or: R. Alleluia. Why do the nations rage and the peoples utter folly? The kings of the earth rise up, and the princes conspire together against the LORD and against his anointed: "Let us break their fetters and cast their bonds from us!" R. Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord. or: R. Alleluia. He who is throned in heaven laughs; the LORD derides them. Then in anger he speaks to them; he terrifies them in his wrath: "I myself have set up my king on Zion, my holy mountain." I will proclaim the decree of the LORD. R. Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord. or: R. Alleluia. The LORD said to me, "You are my Son; this day I have begotten you. Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession. You shall rule them with an iron rod; you shall shatter them like an earthen dish." R. Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord. or: R. Alleluia. Gospel jn 3:1-8 There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him." Jesus answered and said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother's womb and be born again, can he?" Jesus answered, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, 'You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."   Conversation How has God's Word moved me? Has it left me cold? Has it consoled me or moved me to act in a new way? I imagine Jesus standing or sitting beside me, I turn and share my feelings with him.   Conclusion Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Meditation: Acts 4:23-31 Subscriber? Login to view archives. Saint Peter Chanel, Priest and Martyr As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 4:31) Did you know that sand dunes can sing? It's true! Sand dunes around the world have been recorded making up to nine different notes in several frequencies. Sometimes, the sound can be such a loud boom that it is heard up to six miles away and can cause avalanches! Scientists don't know exactly how the dunes sing, but most agree that the grains of sand must somehow move together at the same frequency to form vibrations that then synchronize to become a musical note. In a way, we are a lot like those grains of sand. God wants to guide us along his special frequency so that we can sing his praises together and start "avalanches" of grace that change our environment. Who me? Yes, you! How can God do anything significant through me? You may feel as insignificant as a grain of sand, but you can make a big difference. Look at today's story of Nicodemus as an example. He was one of the Pharisees, and he was surrounded by many other Pharisees who would not accept all the signs pointing to the fact that Jesus was the Messiah. But Nicodemus was moved by the Spirit to seek Jesus out. Many of the Pharisees around him refused to move to the frequency of the Spirit, but not this man. He let the music move him. He sought out the source of the vibrations in his heart. And as a result, he became one of the many grains of sand capable of singing and announcing the good news of the gospel. Remember that God can move the smallest particles of sand and tune them to his own special frequency. If he can use these little pieces of rock to sing his praises, he most certainly can make you into an instrument that will carry his name to the ends of the earth! Today, think of something that is blocking the Spirit's frequency in your life. How can you make yourself more tuned in to his movements? "Lord, you can make beautiful music out of me. Take me, form me, and teach me to move with your Spirit so that I can sing your praises."   Psalm 2:1-9; John 3:1-8  my2cents:  The spanish reflection ended today with:   "We want to be turned into rich people, because riches offer happinness.  The true wealth is to accept the marvelous plans of love of God...that give us the fullness of life...the life in God."   Yesterday we witnessed many children being "born again" during the Holy Mass.  One of them was a little girl we were asked to be "padrinos" or sponsors.  They poured water over their heads and then annointed with oils and blessed, and a candle was given to have them show their light to the world.  This is what happens when we are born again, given a light to show the world or hide it.  We must be born of water and spirit.  Baptism, water, and Confirmation, Spirit.  These are gifts for the world.  What happens with baptized children are things that are amazing, just read today's 1st Scripture where they are gathered and the earth shook as they prayed for the power to speak boldly in the face of those that could have them killed.  This is the kind of faith that is needed, and it happens more when the baptized gather more.  Wars are diffused.  Divine Mercy happens.  This is what we celebrated yesterday, bathing ourselves in the Mercy of God for those baptized that chose to do so.  Once you are born again, you have another life to live...an eternal life.  Too many will go to the next life not ever having known God, lost as they are today if they see the light of day.  Too many sadly, because we decided to dim the lights of faith.  I am born of the Spirit, of what is above, and so are you my child.  My mother gave light to me at my birth, and Jesus gives light to me at my baptism.  What is of the flesh is now of God.  I am a child of God.  Pray for the mothers though, because they infuse light to their children because of the earthly connection.  Too often we find ourselves up against a battle with children whose mothers did not take them to be baptised or did and then dimmed the lights.  So who's fault is who's?  The answer is simple, for if the screen you are reading  was a mirror, you would see not who is at fault, but who can shine the light because they have been born again.  There are too many dynamics in human person at work, and the most powerful is the spiritual.  Saint Pope John Paul II was asked what was the most impacting thing that happened to him in the faith, and he responded that it had been the day he was baptized.  Because unless you are baptised, born of water and spirit, you can NOT enter the Kingdom of God.  Hard words to read for a person brought up being taught that everyone and their mommas can believe whatever they want and still get into Heaven, right?  Too many will go to hell for this, for both teaching it and living it and not caring about it.  But not even the threat of hell frightens anybody now, because quite frankly, hardly nobody believes.  What will make people care?  You and me and the Holy Spirit.  We will love people to life because we have been born from above and what is from above is Love.  We can't force people to believe, but we can pray and live it to be.  What's more, is we have to be more insistent than the devil.  Because we have competition here, and sometimes it is fierce, but we have nothing to fear.  Too many times we want results, but we can not see, just like the wind, only God knows.  In comes faith, that which was imparted on to our souls the day we were born Again       adrian    Subscribe to the Going4th mailing list.

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Going Fishing

Minute Meditations Lighten Up Moodiness is nothing else but the fruit of pride. — fromThirsting for God St. Mark Most of what we know about Mark comes directly from the New Testament. He is usually identified with the Mark of Acts 12:12. (When Peter escaped from prison, he went to the home of Mark's mother.) Paul and Barnabas took him along on the first missionary journey, but for some reason Mark returned alone to Jerusalem. It is evident, from Paul's refusal to let Mark accompany him on the second journey despite Barnabas's insistence, that Mark had displeased Paul. Because Paul later asks Mark to visit him in prison, we may assume the trouble did not last long. The oldest and the shortest of the four Gospels, the Gospel of Mark emphasizes Jesus' rejection by humanity while being God's triumphant envoy. Probably written for Gentile converts in Rome—after the death of Peter and Paul sometime between A.D. 60 and 70—Mark's Gospel is the gradual manifestation of a "scandal": a crucified Messiah.   Evidently a friend of Mark (Peter called him "my son"), Peter is only one of the Gospel sources, others being the Church in Jerusalem (Jewish roots) and the Church at Antioch (largely Gentile). Like one other Gospel writer, Luke, Mark was not one of the 12 apostles. We cannot be certain whether he knew Jesus personally. Some scholars feel that the evangelist is speaking of himself when describing the arrest of Jesus in Gethsemane: "Now a young man followed him wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body. They seized him, but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked" (Mark 14:51-52). Others hold Mark to be the first bishop of Alexandria, Egypt. Venice, famous for the Piazza San Marco, claims Mark as its patron saint; the large basilica there is believed to contain his remains.   A winged lion is Mark's symbol. The lion derives from Mark's description of John the Baptist as a "voice of one crying out in the desert" (Mark 1:3), which artists compared to a roaring lion. The wings come from the application of Ezekiel's vision of four winged creatures (Ezekiel, chapter one) to the evangelists.   Comment: Mark fulfilled in his life what every Christian is called to do: proclaim to all people the Good News that is the source of salvation. In particular, Mark's way was by writing. Others may proclaim the Good News by music, drama, poetry or by teaching children around a family table. Quote: There is very little in Mark that is not in the other Gospels—only four passages. One is: "...This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come" (Mark 4:26-29).   Patron Saint of: Notaries   Saint of the Day Lives, Lessons and Feast By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.     Reading 1 acts 4:1-12 After the crippled man had been cured, while Peter and John were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees confronted them, disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They laid hands on Peter and John and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening. But many of those who heard the word came to believe and the number of men grew to about five thousand. On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes were assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly class. They brought them into their presence and questioned them, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them, "Leaders of the people and elders: If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed. He is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved." Responsorial Psalm ps 118:1-2 and 4, 22-24, 25-27a R. (22) The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. or: R. Alleluia. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Let the house of Israel say, "His mercy endures forever." Let those who fear the LORD say, "His mercy endures forever." R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. or: R. Alleluia. The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. or: R. Alleluia. O LORD, grant salvation! O LORD, grant prosperity! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD; we bless you from the house of the LORD. The LORD is God, and he has given us light. R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. or: R. Alleluia. Gospel jn 21:1-14 Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee's sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We also will come with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?" They answered him, "No." So he said to them, "Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something." So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you just caught." So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come, have breakfast." And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead. Meditation: Acts 4:1-12 Subscriber? Login to view archives.   Friday within the Octave of Easter In his name this man stands before you healed. (Acts 4:10) Set aside for a minute Peter and John's arrest and their night in custody. Ignore the leaders' and elders' indignation and the bystanders' wonder and amazement. Consider instead the beggar who was healed. Everyone recognized this man. He routinely begged for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. For his whole life, he was utterly dependent on other people to get around, to be fed, to be clothed and cared for. All he hoped for from Peter and John was a few coins, a little food, or a cast-off piece of clothing. What this fellow received was not just a physical healing but a whole new life. No longer bound by his disability, he could move on his own. He was no longer powerless or weak, no longer unable to make his way in life. Delivered from hopelessness, he could now rise out of his poverty. Freedom, choices, relief from want and pain—he received so much more than he had asked for or, most likely, so much more than he had imagined he would ever experience. The same is true for you! Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, a whole new life is now open to you. You can be set free from handicaps of bitterness and resentment. The fears and anxieties and misgivings that preoccupy you don't have to bind you or paralyze you anymore. You no longer have to feel powerless in the face of anger or addictions or lust. In the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified, whom God raised from the dead, you can be healed! Christ lives in you. His grace can empower you to resist temptation and be set free from anything that hampers you from feeling his Spirit. Call out to him, just as the beggar called out to Peter and John for alms. Believe that Jesus is standing right in front of you, offering you not silver and gold but the riches of love and joy, patience and self-control. Tell yourself that you belong to Christ and that he wants to set you free. Confess your insufficiency to him, and watch closely to see how he answers you. And then, just as the beggar did, praise him for his goodness to you! "Jesus, in you alone am I saved. Help me to live a new life, unbound by my sins and weaknesses."   Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 22-27; John 21:1-14  my2cents: The spanish reflection ended today with: "He did not wait for the apostles to arrive and prepare Him a breakfast.  He already had it prepared, and on a good fire, so they could rest from their fishing journey, of a laborous night.  Jesus continues being, even though resurrected, the example to all of us of humility and service.  He reserves for the other stage of the Kingdom, when it is initated on the last day, the moment in which He makes manifest His greatness and His Glory. Mathew 25:31     "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves."Mathew 11:29 Who is who, right here and now...only God knows.  No one should suppose more than Jesus, if they want to keep His friendship."  God takes care of His elect, His children.  We are His and His we wish to be.  The disciples not sure what to do after the death of our Lord, took to what they knew...fishing.  Yet Jesus appears to them and I am more than sure, reminds them what they ought to be fising for...the salvation to be brought to the world, being fishers of men, all mankind.  They didn't dare ask "who are you", because they knew in their hearts now who He was, the provider, the Master, the Teacher, the King, the Lord of Lords...God HimSELF.  Yet He appears as an unknown man.  This is the reason the "architects" rejected Him, because they supposedly knew the man, but did not Know the Man, the Son of God, son of Man.  And this is the danger we live in today, to "suppose" we know God, and to "suppose" we know others.  The Cursillo brings about the knowledge of self, God, and the others.  Once you know the glances, you begin to know what the 4th day entails after the 3 day cursillo.  That is why I've titled my website "Going4th".  That is why I developed the "4thday" app for android phones and working on the iphone app as we speak.  I shared it with home security installers last night, one being a Mormon, and shared some music CD's I recorded of myself singing to the Lord which can be heard at going4th.com.  This is not to boast of self, but to serve of self.  I serve because Jesus serves.  I serve because God serves.  Anything that is not good in me, is not of God.  Therefore, more of God is needed in me.  What's more, God is revealed in service.  Whether it be Mother Teresa or yourself serving the homeless, the poorest of the poor, you see Jesus in the midst, because His Spirit is more alive than anything you ever give spirit to.  Sometimes God will take you somewhere for nothing, as we "suppose".  The other day, my only friend in friendship group had to cancel.  I went to other cursillistas' house, my baby sister and husband, only because as I was driving I heard a voice to tell me to go.  I arrived, only to find out they were not there.  Was it foolishness?  Was I hearing things?  Why did the Lord tell me to do THAT?  Fishing empty sides.  The matter of fact is revealed in today's Holy Gospel.  The matter is as the apostles, the disciples did upon hearing the voice of the Lord...obey.  Tests of God and commands of God are these.  You need not worry about all your failures, but about your obedience.  You who look back while plowing are not fit for the Kingdom.  You have to keep looking ahead, and ahead is the Sun and behind you is darkness, only all for Him to make grow as He sees fit.  It is Friday, but Sunday is coming.  We will toil, and arrive in places at times where nobody will be there to welcome us, much like the Apostles in today's 1st Holy Scripture.  They laid hands on them to put them in jail.  It's Friday, but Sunday is coming.  In jail, and alone, many times Jesus comes in and frees with angels the very disciples of Christ.  I want you to know, that what is transpiring is nothing short of inspiring.  What God has cooking for us is eternal...He awaits on the other side and is calling on us today adrian Subscribe to the Going4th mailing list.

Going4th,