In My Name

Minute Meditations Our Greatest Teachers Somehow, children find a way of finding peace amid the noise of this world. They can block out all the things that tend to irritate the adults and find in their hearts the place meant for hearing, for listening, for loving. Many times the young are our greatest teachers. — from Visiting Mary St. Joan of Arc (1412-1431) St. Joan of Arc The piety of this 15th-century military heroine was not appreciated until centuries after her death. Burned at the stake as a heretic after a politically-motivated trial, Joan was beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920. Born of a fairly well-to-do peasant couple in Domremy-Greux (southeast of Paris), Joan was only 12 when she experienced a vision and heard voices that she later identified as Sts. Michael the Archangel, Catherine of Alexandria, and Margaret of Antioch. During the Hundred Years War, she led French troops against the English and recaptured the cities of Orléans and Troyes. This enabled Charles VII to be crowned as king in Reims in 1429. Captured near Compiegne the following year, she was sold to the English and placed on trial for heresy and witchcraft. Professors at the University of Paris supported Bishop Pierre Cauchon of Beauvis, the judge at her trial; Cardinal Henry Beaufort of Winchester, England, participated in the questioning of Joan in prison. In the end, she was condemned for wearing men's clothes. The English resented France's military success--to which Joan contributed.  On this day in 1431, she was burned at the stake in Rouen, and her ashes were scattered in the Seine River. A second Church trial 25 years later nullified the earlier verdict, which was reached under political pressure. Remembered by most people for her military exploits, Joan had a great love for the sacraments, which strengthened her compassion toward the poor. Popular devotion to her increased greatly in 19th-century France and later among French soldiers during World War I. Theologian George Tavard writes that her life "offers a perfect example of the conjunction of contemplation and action" because her spiritual insight is that there should be a "unity of heaven and earth." Joan of Arc has been the subject of many books, plays, operas, and movies. Comment: "Joan of Arc is like a shooting star across the landscape of French and English history, amid the stories of the Church's saints and into our consciousness. Women identify with her; men admire her courage. She challenges us in fundamental ways. Despite the fact that more than 500 years have passed since she lived, her issues of mysticism, calling, identity, trust and betrayal, conflict and focus are our issues still." (Joan of Arc: God's Warrior, by  Barbara Beckwith)  Quote: As she was being burned at the stake, Joan called on Jesus.   Saint of the Day Lives, Lessons and Feast By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.     Presence To be present is to arrive as one is and open up to the other. At this instant, as I arrive here, God is present waiting for me. God always arrives before me, desiring to connect with me even more than my most intimate friend. I take a moment and greet my loving God.   Freedom If God were trying to tell me something, would I know? If God were reassuring me or challenging me, would I notice? I ask for the grace to be free of my own preoccupations and open to what God may be saying to me.   Consciousness In the presence of my loving Creator, I look honestly at my feelings over the last day, the highs, the lows and the level ground. Can I see where the Lord has been present?   The Word of God John 16:16-20 Reading 1 acts 18:9-18 One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision, "Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city." He settled there for a year and a half and taught the word of God among them. But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him to the tribunal, saying, "This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law." When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews, "If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud, I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews; but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles and your own law, see to it yourselves. I do not wish to be a judge of such matters." And he drove them away from the tribunal. They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official, and beat him in full view of the tribunal. But none of this was of concern to Gallio. Paul remained for quite some time, and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow. Responsorial Psalm ps 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 R. (8a) God is king of all the earth. or: R. Alleluia. All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness, For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. R. God is king of all the earth. or: R. Alleluia. He brings people under us; nations under our feet. He chooses for us our inheritance, the glory of Jacob, whom he loves. R. God is king of all the earth. or: R. Alleluia. God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. R. God is king of all the earth. or: R. Alleluia. Gospel jn 16:20-23 Jesus said to his disciples: "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you."   Conversation Sometimes I wonder what I might say if I were to meet you in person Lord.  I think I might say "Thank You Lord" for always being there for me.  I know with certainty there were times when you carried me, Lord. When it was through your strength I got through the dark times in my life. 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: John 16:20-23 View NAB Reading at USCCB.org Subscriber? Login to view archives. 6th Week of Easter You will grieve, but your grief will become joy. (John 16:20) When we watch a movie or read a book, it's usually pretty easy to follow the plot. We understand the story because we see one event following from another, and we begin to get a feel for where the story is heading. Wouldn't it be nice if life worked the same way? The problem is that when you're "inside" a story, it can be easy to lose the thread of the plot and to wonder where it is heading. As Jesus approached his crucifixion, he tried to help his disciples with this sort of confusion. He knew that they would be faced with a huge challenge when they saw him die on the cross. To prepare them, he explained that this was part of the great story that he had called them into. They would experience wrenching grief, and they would feel out of step with the rest of the world. But that wouldn't be the final chapter. Their grief would be turned to joy, and the story would take on a whole new meaning. Do you believe that your life is part of this same story? In fact, you are a child of the author! While the disciples had to wrestle through the grief of Jesus' death, you have come in later in the plot. You know about Jesus' resurrection! If you can try to center your life in Jesus' victory, you'll know a joy, a stability, and a peace that nothing in this world can take away from you. At times we lose sight of God's story. We forget that our joy comes from Jesus' salvation, not from the story that the world offers us. Losing focus, we can begin to lose our trust that God is with us. That's why we need to immerse ourselves every day in the story of the Scriptures. We need God's word to sharpen our focus. Never forget that you are part of an epic story. You are one of the "great cloud of witnesses" whose lives have been changed by the Lord (Hebrews 12:1). You aren't just a passive observer; you're an active participant. You have a role to play today in moving this story forward. So get out there and do it! "Lord, teach me the wonderful story of your salvation. Help me to make it the story of my life."   Acts 18:9-18; Psalm 47:2-7 my2cents: Yesterday was a gloomy day for me. Perhaps the accumulation of unchecked stress for many reasons finally culminated.  It was hard to even look up or talk to anybody right.  Work issues, people issues, and more.  So hard to even pray.  What came over me?  Probably evil, and all this after I prayed a rosary!  LOL, and the other day as I drove out of town, right after praying the rosary I got pulled over and was given a ticket.  I joked with my wife "but I prayed the rosary!".  As if nothing is supposed to happen to you after you pray...right?  I can only imagine the gloom the apostles must've felt when they killed the love of their lives, their very livelihood, Jesus.  The pains of this labor and anguish can be daunting.  But as a woman in labor, we have to push, and push, and push through to the end.  What comes later is joy, and peace.  A joy that only one who has gone through the labor can explain.  Some people ask, so what is a cursillo like?  "I don't know you just have to live it".  You have to go through the experience to be able to know.  And we are speaking of a spiritual experience.  Yesterday I took a new worker to the field and he brought up faith without me even talking about it (oh yeah, he saw my emblem on my truck that says "He Died For Me, I'll Live For Him").  He said "i'm not religious, but I am spiritual".  I left it at that when he went on about he had just moved in with his girlfriend.  And I'll leave it to you, if you are religious or spiritual, because to me, truly being spiritual is truly being religious, only the spiritual means we are all on a journey.  Another worker told me this week about his hardships with his little girl almost dying at birth and the mother who had a C-section without being numbed because they feared for the baby's life they cut the mother open and she had to feel everything, the cut was jagged because she moved alot, and the wound took forever to heal.  The baby was born with some defects when all the doctors told them to abort the baby earlier on they fought for its life.  The baby was born and stopped moving and they declared the baby was dead until it lifted its hand and they realized she was alive.  The worker said "I'm catholic, don't go much to church, I don't know how to pray, but the little I did know how, I did much...one day I felt a hand touch my shoulder as I waited in the lobby of the hospital and it ran chills up my neck".  I said it was perhaps an angel.  The baby's name is Paloma Guadalupe, (Guadalupe after the Blessed Mother).  I told him to come pray with us for her in our bible study group that afternoon.  He asked what time and never came.  The next day he asked for a raise to continue treatements on Paloma and an upcoming operation on her deformities.  Yesterday was gloomy, after the rosary and after a meeting out of town, I noticed my truck bumper guard was broken, funny though cuz it was not like that earlier.  As I stared at it hanging off the front of the truck, a business man walked in the parking lot, trying to get to his fancy car next to my truck and saw my problem and looked at it curiously and said as he left "nothing a little money won't fix".  So is it that we think money will solve our problems?  My disbelief wasn't a problem of money, but "what in the world is going on" as if the devil on continuous attack mode, and it only escalated from there.  I digress. I offered true healing for Paloma, but he asked for money.  This is what I mean.  Set God First And The Rest Will Follow.  Tithing is a part of it and essential, but giving of your very life is more.  Jesus did that. Labor to death for the new to come.  We took our family to a school function in the evening and then to the playground next to the church.  I couldn't pick up my head all day.  We went to pray in the Church after the playground.  I could not even pick up my head while praying. And then I cheated.  I looked up to Our Lady of Guadalupe and prayed.  Mother helped.  It's not fair that I write to you and say this if you do not believe in her.  But the woman in labor in the book of Revelation is Mary, giving birth to Jesus the King of the Universe, the sun rays at her back mans the Son she carried is more than the sun and light of our world.  If you are not Catholic you can not fathom the thought.  And so my prayers for everyone I meet is that you are not a mediocre Christian.  Many say they change "religions" and only go to another Christian denomination and so called non-denomination (because all are denominations or splitting of other churches).  There are only 3 major religions in the world, Christian, Jew, and Muslim.  You don't change religions if you believe in Christ as King and Lord.  And so I write to you to become the best Christian in the world.  I am no longer in the gloom of yesterday, Mother pulled through.  I want you to know that she is with Jesus, and as the first apostle and disciple and lover of Christ she knows the pains of our labor.  Have faith.  Push through.  There is a hope and it is alive.  I would not say it if it were not true.  Believe.  I've heard people not wanting to get pregnant and say "what for, why bring a child into a cruel and sad world".  Take off those sad and cruel glasses.  See the light of the Son and bask in the Glory to God In The Highest adrian Subscribe to the Going4th mailing list.

Going4th,

Until The End

Minute Meditations True Flesh If we treat the Eucharist as though it were just bread and wine, we sin against Jesus, as Paul said in 1 Corinthians. Ask for God's mercy on all the times you have "casually" received Him. And next time you are at Mass, reflect more deeply on the miracle before you. — from A 40-Day Spiritual Workout for Catholics St. Madeleine Sophie Barat (1779-1865)   The legacy of Madeleine Sophie Barat can be found in the more than 100 schools operated by her Society of the Sacred Heart, institutions known for the quality of the education made available to the young. Sophie herself received an extensive education, thanks to her brother, Louis, 11 years older and her godfather at Baptism. Himself a seminarian, he decided that his younger sister would likewise learn Latin, Greek, history, physics and mathematics—always without interruption and with a minimum of companionship. By age 15, she had received a thorough exposure to the Bible, the teachings of the Fathers of the Church and theology. Despite the oppressive regime Louis imposed, young Sophie thrived and developed a genuine love of learning Meanwhile, this was the time of the French Revolution and of the suppression of Christian schools. The education of the young, particularly young girls, was in a troubled state. At the same time, Sophie, who had concluded that she was called to the religious life, was persuaded to begin her life as a nun and as a teacher. She founded the Society of the Sacred Heart, which would focus on schools for the poor as well as boarding schools for young women of means; today, co-ed Sacred Heart schools can be found as well as schools exclusively for boys. In 1826, her Society of the Sacred Heart received formal papal approval. By then she had served as superior at a number of convents. In 1865, she was stricken with paralysis; she died that year on the feast of the Ascension. .Madeleine Sophie Barat was canonized in 1925.   Comment: Madeleine Sophie Barat lived in turbulent times. She was only 10 when the Reign of Terror began. In the wake of the French Revolution, rich and poor both suffered before some semblance of normality returned to France. Born to some degree of privilege, she received a good education. It grieved her that the same opportunity was being denied to other young girls, and she devoted herself to educating them, whether poor or well-to-do. We who live in an affluent country can follow her example by helping to ensure to others the blessings we have enjoyed.   Saint of the Day Lives, Lessons and Feast By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.       Presence   At any time of the day or night we can call on Jesus. He is always waiting, listening for our call. What a wonderful blessing. No phone needed, no e-mails, just a whisper.     Freedom It is so easy to get caught up with the trappings of wealth in this life. Grant, O Lord, that I may be free from greed and selfishness. Remind me that the best things in life are free. Love, laughter, caring and sharing. Consciousness How do I find myself today? Where am I with God? With others? Do I have something to be grateful for? Then I give thanks. Is there something I am sorry for? Then I ask forgiveness. The Word of God The Ascension of the Lord Lectionary: 58 Reading 1 acts 1:1-11 In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with the them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for "the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." When they had gathered together they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He answered them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven." Responsorial Psalm ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 R/ (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or: R/ Alleluia. All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness, For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. R/ God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or: R/ Alleluia. God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. R/ God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or: R/ Alleluia. For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne. R/ God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or: R/ Alleluia. reading 2 Eph 1:17-23 Brothers and sisters: May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way. Gospel mt 28:16-20 The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." Conversation Jesus, you always welcomed little children when you walked on this earth. Teach me to have a childlike trust in you. To live in the knowledge that you will never abandon 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: John 16:16-20 View NAB Reading at USCCB.org Subscriber? Login to view archives. The Ascension of the Lord or Easter Weekday A little while and you will no longer see me. (John 16:16) In our lives, there are people we miss terribly. Some have moved away, some have died, and some have just lost contact with us. In each case, losing their friendship can be painful. So we do what we can to recall them: we look at their pictures, we read their letters, and we try to remember all the great times we had with them. But there's no substitute for actually being with them. At times, we would give anything to have them beside us. The apostles would feel a similar pain when Jesus was taken away from them. After seeing him die on the cross, they would "weep and mourn," just as Jesus prophesied (John 16:20). But they would have much more than memories to get them by. They would be eyewitnesses to his resurrection! Their joy would be complete once they had seen him risen from the dead and had accepted their mission to proclaim his gospel! As the spiritual descendants of the apostles, we can have the same joy they did. But we're also human, and we can't hide from reality. When some great misfortune occurs, Jesus can seem very distant, almost as distant as he did to the apostles after the crucifixion. Sure, the Lord has promised to return, but what about present trials? What about the evil in the world? How can we be sure that he has not abandoned us? Here's the answer: Jesus is not only with you, he's within you by the power of his Holy Spirit. He has never left your side, because he is in your heart! No matter what your situation right now, you can take a few deep breaths, calm your mind, and begin to sense him. He is there, inside you, ready to give you his healing, peace, wisdom, and joy! So cast your burdens on the Lord. Stake everything on the words of St. Paul : "Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39). "Lord, I want to see your face. When the world tells me to give up, let me hear your words of hope and encouragement!"   Acts 18:1-8; Psalm 98:1-4 my2cents: The spanish 5minutos says today:   "One time, a man boarded a plane to travel to New York.  A little boy came in looking for a seat and sat next to his side.  The boy was well educated and passed the time coloring in his coloring book.  He didn't express anxiety nor nervousness on takeoff.  The flight wasn't very good, there was storms, and much turbulence.  Suddenly a strong jolt, and all were very nervouse, but the child remained calm and serene at all moments.  How did he do it? Why the calm?  Until a frantic lady asked him, "little boy are you afraid?", -"No ma'am" ,answered the little boy and looking to his coloring book he says "My father is the pilot"...  Along the way, we will encounter events that shake us like the turbulence.  There will be moments in which we will not see solid ground and our feet will not step on sure places, we will not see where to sustain ourselves.  In those times let us remember that Our FATHER is the pilot.  No matter the circumstances, our lives are put in the Creator.  And so the next time a storm comes to your life or if in this moment you are going through onee, put your eyes to Heaven, TRUST and say for yourself: 'My Father is the pilot!'.  The fruit of silence is prayer.  The fruit of prayer is faith.  The fruit of faith is love.  The fruit of love is service.  The fruit of service is peace.  Let us pray with greater confidence this day. " I will never forget the words my Father said in his letter to me today "I am with you always, until the end of age".  OH! You thought I was talking about my biological father?  No.  My experience on our journey has been one of coming to the Father, our Father who art in Heaven.  I share the experience so you may journey well, and even faster and more joyful then me a miserable sinner.  I will teach you to be a great disciple as I try hard myself.  But the thing is, it's the Holy Spirit that teaches. When you close this email, that's where the rubber hits the road.  That's where your loving faith begins.  That's where we will know if you are true.  When Jesus was raised and on the Ascension, He didn't say "see you later", He said "Go!", go and make what? Disciples of all nations.  I am a disciple, you are a disciple, we follow a discipline, we are foot soldiers, we are the wingless angels that spread the message of hope and love.  Why He has me in the same place with the same faces most of the time simply means there is where the transformation is needed, and until you transform, they will transform.  I can talk till my face is blue, but it has start here and now and inside.  As I type, a worker here at our family business came in and said "I'm quitting".  Apparently his job duty changed to something he didn't like.  He just left.  Hmm.  Can that be anyone of us?  Because I notice in various ministries, something changes and people drop out like flies.  A new priest comes in and some people leave, and others come.  Why are we afraid to change or even take on a challenge? Fear is of the devil.  The devil feeds off of fears.  The more you pay attention to it, the more you grow in anxiety, nervousness, and stress.  My Father is the pilot.  Look, I am not afraid, but I am afraid to sin.  Even that I should not fear because God loves me more to forgiveness.  He died so that sin and death no longer have a hold on me and you.  For what?  For peace in our lives to come, for true joy that belongs to us from Heaven.  I Am with you means He never left.  Before I began writing to you I had a vision of how it would be the day I present the unseen to you.  I would've gone to the Church, and there at the great unveiling, I would lift up the great veil off the tabernacle and show you what or who has been there all along adrian Subscribe to the Going4th mailing list.

Going4th,

Bear It Now

Minute Meditations Faith vs. Hope Faith refers to our living out what we believe; it's our daily steps. Hope is the reason we run. We must fix our eyes on Jesus if we want to win this race. We must continually remind ourselves of the glory that awaits us in heaven. — from A 40-Day Spiritual Workout for Catholics Ven. Pierre Toussaint This former slave is one of many American holy people whose life particularly models Christian values. Venerable Pierre Toussaint (1766-1853) Born in modern-day Haiti and brought to New York City as a slave, Pierre died a free man, a renowned hairdresser and one of New York City's most well-known Catholics. Pierre Bérard, a plantation owner, made Toussaint a house slave and allowed his grandmother to teach her grandson how to read and write. In his early 20s, Pierre, his younger sister, his aunt and two other house slaves accompanied their master's son to New York City because of political unrest at home. Apprenticed to a local hairdresser, Pierre learned the trade quickly and eventually worked very successfully in the homes of rich women in New York City. When his master died, Pierre was determined to support his master's widow, himself and the other house slaves. He was freed shortly before the widow's death in 1807. Four years later he married Marie Rose Juliette, whose freedom he had purchased. They later adopted Euphémie, his orphaned niece. Both preceded him in death. He attended daily Mass at St. Peter's Church on Barclay Street, the same parish that St. Elizabeth Seton attended. Pierre donated to various charities, generously assisting blacks and whites in need. He and his wife opened their home to orphans and educated them. The couple also nursed abandoned people who were suffering from yellow fever. Urged to retire and enjoy the wealth he had accumulated, Pierre responded, "I have enough for myself, but if I stop working I have not enough for others." He was originally buried outside St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, where he was once refused entrance because of his race. His sanctity and the popular devotion to him caused his body to be moved to St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue. Pierre Toussaint was declared Venerable in 1996. Comment: Pierre was internally free long before he was legally free. Refusing to become bitter, he daily chose to cooperate with God's grace, eventually becoming a compelling sign of God's wildly generous love. Quote: Emma Cary, one of Pierre's customers, said: "His life was so perfect, and he explained the teaching of the Church with a simplicity so intelligent and courageous that everyone honored him as a Catholic. He would explain the devotion to the Mother of God with the utmost clearness, or show the union of the natural and supernatural gifts in the priest." Saint of the Day Lives, Lessons and Feast By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.        Presence I pause for a moment and think of the love and the grace that God showers on me, creating me in his image and likeness, making me his temple.... Freedom God is not foreign to my freedom. Instead the Spirit breathes life into my most intimate desires, gently nudging me towards all that is good. I ask for the grace to let myself be enfolded by the Spirit. Consciousness At this moment Lord I turn my thoughts to You. I will leave aside my chores and preoccupations. I will take rest and refreshment in your presence Lord.     The Word of God Reading 1 acts 17:15, 22-18:1 After Paul's escorts had taken him to Athens, they came away with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible. Then Paul stood up at the Areopagus and said: "You Athenians, I see that in every respect you are very religious. For as I walked around looking carefully at your shrines, I even discovered an altar inscribed, 'To an Unknown God.' What therefore you unknowingly worship, I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and all that is in it, the Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands because he needs anything. Rather it is he who gives to everyone life and breath and everything. He made from one the whole human race to dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he fixed the ordered seasons and the boundaries of their regions, so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him, though indeed he is not far from any one of us. For 'In him we live and move and have our being,' as even some of your poets have said, 'For we too are his offspring.' Since therefore we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the divinity is like an image fashioned from gold, silver, or stone by human art and imagination. God has overlooked the times of ignorance, but now he demands that all people everywhere repent because he has established a day on which he will 'judge the world with justice' through a man he has appointed, and he has provided confirmation for all by raising him from the dead." When they heard about resurrection of the dead, some began to scoff, but others said, "We should like to hear you on this some other time." And so Paul left them. But some did join him, and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the Court of the Areopagus, a woman named Damaris, and others with them. After this he left Athens and went to Corinth. Responsorial Psalm ps 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14 R. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. or: R. Alleluia. Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights. Praise him, all you his angels; praise him, all you his hosts. R. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. or: R. Alleluia. Let the kings of the earth and all peoples, the princes and all the judges of the earth, Young men too, and maidens, old men and boys. R. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. or: R. Alleluia. Praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; His majesty is above earth and heaven. R. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. or: R. Alleluia. He has lifted up the horn of his people; Be this his praise from all his faithful ones, from the children of Israel, the people close to him. Alleluia. R. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. or: R. Alleluia. Gospel jn 16:12-15 Jesus said to his disciples: "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you."     Conversation What feelings are rising in me as I pray and reflect on God's Word? I imagine Jesus himself sitting or standing near me and open my heart to 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: John 16:12-15 View NAB Reading at USCCB.org Subscriber? Login to view archives. 6th Week of Easter He will glorify me. (John 16:14) Most everyone has a favorite song, but did you ever think of what goes into writing a song? Often it takes more than one person. An idea starts in someone's head, maybe words or just a melody. But often someone else is needed to complete that idea. And then there are the musicians who provide the accompaniment, not to mention the producer who puts together the final version. Gilbert and Sullivan, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber—these were songwriting teams, not lone superstars. By analogy, we can think of Jesus in the same way. He has a beautiful, inspiring message that he wants to bring us. But that message doesn't come from him alone. He works hand in hand with the Father, who is the author of salvation, and the Holy Spirit, who is the breath of God's love and grace. Jesus is the "Word," but the one who plays the tune is the Holy Spirit. He works in our hearts to guide us to "all truth," to the astounding truth that God loves us and has an eternal plan for our lives (John 16:13). But the Holy Spirit doesn't play the same melody over and over again. He plays endless variations on a theme. He thrills us with a song about the power of Jesus' resurrection. He soothes us with a song of mercy. He makes us want to dance to his song of salvation. His love song is fresh and new every day, so we never get tired of hearing it! Great music has the power to move hearts, and no music can do that as much as the Spirit's music. The more we listen to his song, the more we are shaped by it and the more we come to resemble Jesus. It's not because we are being compelled to act differently; it's because the Father's love melts our "stony hearts"—and then we too have a "new song" to sing! (Ezekiel 36:26; Psalm 40:4). So today, try turning off the world's noise for a few minutes, and listen for what the Spirit is saying, or singing, inside you. But don't let it stop there. Go ahead, and join the chorus! "Holy Spirit, open my heart to hear your music. I give you my cares and anxieties, my past, present, and future. Come, and renew in me the joy of my salvation!"   Acts 17:15, 22--18:1; Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14 my2cents: Jesus our Lord, King, Master, and Savior says He has much to tell us, but you can not bear it now.  St. Paul had much to tell the pagans, but they could not bear it, just a few.  That is to say, The Holy Spirit speaks, constantly, with few bearing it, and even fewer accepting.  What's good about this?  The few that accept are the good.  They are the ones to bear witness like the saint of the day.  And who is a living saint?  The one reading this today is a living saint.  Perhaps when we die one of us will be called a saint.  Perhaps you will work miracles in your lifetime through the power of Jesus, the name of Jesus.  Perhaps you will bring many souls to the faith, many of whom you would've never known.  And that my friend, that is what it's all about.  Yesterday on the road, I for some reason though of Jonah.  How he did not want to do what God said until God forced him to do it. Jonah didn't want to because he "just knew" the people wouldn't repent, they wouldn't listen, and they probably deserved what was coming to them.  God forced him to prophecy, and the people were saved.  God wanted their salvation.  It is for this reason we hear the Good News. Because in the end, it's because God wants us with Him.  I read a quote today ""God calls us to change our lives." Richard and Reneé Stearns ,He Walks Among Us.  We were born and we will die, all the saints died.  The difference is in the Life.  When we read the Psalm we prayed "He has lifted up the horn of His people".  Did it catch your attention? I know it did mine.  His people exclaim and are heard.  If we only trust and listen.  And trust means doing His will not ours.  I didn't want to pray very well at this morning's safety meeting to start it off, I didn't feel like it, but I did it anyway, I looked down, not at anybody and as I prayed aloud, through the corner of my eyes I could see some took their hats off, and I saw a new older gentleman raising his hand up in the air, in the middle of the full room of men, raising his hand in prayer, as if reaching in a way.  That to me was inspiring.  That to me should say "shame on me for not wanting to pray", "shame on me for not wanting to save God's people", shame on me for not doing His will.  When I was in college, I worked part time and studied full time.  In between I was often wore out mentally and physically, but it was in those moments I felt weighed down that I forced myself to go to the gym and workout.  It is in our toughest times that we have to do what we don't want...PRAY, turn to Jesus.  Our days are coming.  The sun is coming.  Take this from newadvent.org I ran across to reflect: " Book of Wisdom 5:6 "This shall be our summer. Now during the winter weather the fruits appear not on the stock; you observe, so to say, dead trees during the winter. He who cannot see truly, thinks the vine dead; perhaps there is one near it which is really dead; both are alike during winter; the one is alive, the other is dead, but both the life and death are hidden: summer advances; then the life of the one shines brightly, the death of the other is manifested: the splendour of leaves, the abundance of fruit, comes forth, the vine is clothed in outward appearance from what it has in its stock. Therefore, brethren, now we are the same as other men: just as they are born, eat, drink, are clothed, pass their life, so also do the saints. Sometimes the very truth deceives men, and they say, "Lo, he has begun to be a Christian: has he lost his headache?" or, "because he is a Christian, what gains he from me?" O dead vine, you observe near you a vine that is bare indeed in winter, yet not dead. Summer will come, the Lord will come, our Splendour, that was hidden in the stock, and then "He shall exalt the horn of His people," after the captivity wherein we live in this mortal life..." We shall be free.  No longer a slave, but a friend.  No longer dead, but alive.  No longer captivated by what we see, but captivated by what we do not see.  I pray Jesus, send forth Your Spirit and enkindle in us the fire of your love. With which to love you more and more. More of Jesus, less of me. GOD I LOVE YOU adrian Subscribe to the Going4th mailing list.

Going4th,

Believe In Me

Minute Meditations Virtue of Hope In running the race of faith, we need to keep our eyes on our prize: eternal salvation and glory in Jesus Christ. This is known as the virtue of hope. — from A 40-Day Spiritual Workout for Catholics St. Augustine of Canterbury (d. 605?)   In the year 596, some 40 monks set out from Rome to evangelize the Anglo-Saxons in England. Leading the group was Augustine, the prior of their monastery in Rome. Hardly had he and his men reached Gaul (France) when they heard stories of the ferocity of the Anglo-Saxons and of the treacherous waters of the English Channel. Augustine returned to Rome and to the pope who had sent them—St. Gregory the Great (September 3 )—only to be assured by him that their fears were groundless. Augustine again set out. This time the group crossed the English Channel and landed in the territory of Kent, ruled by King Ethelbert, a pagan married to a Christian, Bertha. Ethelbert received them kindly, set up a residence for them in Canterbury and within the year, on Pentecost Sunday, 597, was himself baptized. After being consecrated a bishop in France, Augustine returned to Canterbury, where he founded his see. He constructed a church and monastery near where the present cathedral, begun in 1070, now stands. As the faith spread, additional sees were established at London and Rochester. Work was sometimes slow and Augustine did not always meet with success. Attempts to reconcile the Anglo-Saxon Christians with the original Briton Christians (who had been driven into western England by Anglo-Saxon invaders) ended in dismal failure. Augustine failed to convince the Britons to give up certain Celtic customs at variance with Rome and to forget their bitterness, helping him evangelize their Anglo-Saxon conquerors Laboring patiently, Augustine wisely heeded the missionary principles—quite enlightened for the times—suggested by Pope Gregory the Great: purify rather than destroy pagan temples and customs; let pagan rites and festivals be transformed into Christian feasts; retain local customs as far as possible. The limited success Augustine achieved in England before his death in 605, a short eight years after he arrived in England, would eventually bear fruit long after in the conversion of England. Augustine of Canterbury can truly be called the "Apostle of England." Comment: Augustine of Canterbury comes across today as a very human saint, one who could suffer like many of us from a failure of nerve. For example, his first venture to England ended in a big U-turn back to Rome. He made mistakes and met failure in his peacemaking attempts with the Briton Christians. He often wrote to Rome for decisions on matters he could have decided on his own had he been more self-assured. He even received mild warnings against pride from Pope Gregory, who cautioned him to "fear lest, amidst the wonders that are done, the weak mind be puffed up by self-esteem." Augustine's perseverance amidst obstacles and only partial success teaches today's apostles and pioneers to struggle on despite frustrations and be satisfied with gradual advances. Quote: In a letter to Augustine, Pope Gregory the Great wrote: "He who would climb to a lofty height must go by steps, not leaps." Patron Saint of: England Saint of the Day Lives, Lessons and Feast By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.       Presence "Be still and know that I am God." Lord, Your words lead us to the calmness and greatness of your presence. Freedom Lord grant me the grace to have freedom of the spirit. Cleanse my heart and soul so I may live joyously in Your love Consciousness How do I find myself today? Where am I with God? With others? Do I have something to be grateful for? Then I give thanks. Is there something I am sorry for? Then I ask forgiveness.   The Word of God Reading 1 acts 16:22-34 The crowd in Philippi joined in the attack on Paul and Silas, and the magistrates had them stripped and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After inflicting many blows on them, they threw them into prison and instructed the jailer to guard them securely. When he received these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and secured their feet to a stake. About midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened, there was suddenly such a severe earthquake that the foundations of the jail shook; all the doors flew open, and the chains of all were pulled loose. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted out in a loud voice, "Do no harm to yourself; we are all here." He asked for a light and rushed in and, trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you and your household will be saved." So they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house. He took them in at that hour of the night and bathed their wounds; then he and all his family were baptized at once. He brought them up into his house and provided a meal and with his household rejoiced at having come to faith in God. Responsorial Psalm ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8 R. (7c) Your right hand saves me, O Lord. or: R. Alleluia. I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple, and give thanks to your name. R. Your right hand saves me, O Lord. or: R. Alleluia. Because of your kindness and your truth, you have made great above all things your name and your promise. When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. R. Your right hand saves me, O Lord. or: R. Alleluia. Your right hand saves me. The LORD will complete what he has done for me; your kindness, O LORD, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands. R. Your right hand saves me, O Lord. or: R. Alleluia. Gospel jn 16:5-11 Jesus said to his disciples: "Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned."     Conversation I begin to talk to Jesus about the piece of scripture I have just read.What part of it strikes a chord in me?Perhaps the words of a friend - or some story I have heard recently- will slowly rise to the surface in my consciousness.If so, does the story throw light on what the scripture passage may be trying to say to me? Conclusion I thank God for these few moments we have spent alone together and for any insights I may have been given concerning the text.   Meditation: John 16:5-11 View NAB Reading at USCCB.org Subscriber? Login to view archives. Saint Augustine of Canterbury Because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. (John 16:6) You probably have shed many a tear at some time in your life over the departure of a dear friend or beloved family member. Saying good-bye is hard. Imagine how hard it must have been for the disciples. They had put their lives on the line, associating so closely with Jesus. What they had done was counter to their culture in many respects. Jesus had become as a brother to them, and God had become "Abba," their heavenly Father. It's no wonder, then, that when Jesus announced his imminent departure, they panicked a little. Grief filled their hearts, and anxious thoughts, their minds. They were so upset that they seem to have missed his final words: love one another; abide in me; keep my commands; don't be afraid. They missed his final assurances: I will not leave you as orphans; I will give you my peace; the Father will send the Helper, the Holy Spirit; I will come to you. Sadness and fear can so easily cause us to miss what's most important. But it doesn't have to be this way! Exactly because Jesus left, the Father gave us the Holy Spirit. He sent us an Advocate, One who pleads on our behalf, One who argues for us, One who counsels and advises us and empowers us as we try to live out our faith. Jesus was trying to shift the disciples' focus away from the loss they dreaded and onto the great gain they were about to experience. He will do no less for you, because that same gain is yours! Think of all the gifts the Holy Spirit brings: the love Jesus commanded us to have for each other. Peace and joy. Patience. Kindness and goodness, the kind that God shows us every day, every hour, every minute. Gentleness and faithfulness in the face of a world that values neither particularly highly. Self-control in a world that advocates against it. Wisdom, strength, endurance, and so much more. When the reality of family life or work or relationships that you are involved in stirs up anxiety, confusion, or fear, shift your focus onto the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. And thank Jesus for having sent him to you! "Holy Spirit, come! I welcome you into my heart today."   Acts 16:22-34; Psalm 138:1-3, 7-8 my2cents:   Today's 5minutos ends with: " ...We all have struggles.  These could be related to age, finances, relationships, or thousands of other difficulties.  But if we really dispose our heart to trust in God, and if we remain grateful inclusive in the middle of our problems, it is more probable that we recognize that "we do not have anything to complain about", what do you have to do to save yourself?  Believe also in Jesus and accept Him as your Savior and put your life in His hands and open your heart to His goodness."   Yesterday I went to pray with my brothers at the church, after the rosary with the men, we made our own personal visit to the Blessed Sacrament (for those that do not know, this is the place in the church where the Tabernacle keeps the consecrated bread to the body of Christ).   His presence is there.  Yet, as I left, I still kept speaking to the Lord "if only I could have you here in the flesh" because we feel alone out here in the big bad mean world sometimes don't we?  Today, Jesus says "you will no longer see me" and then says He will send the Advocate, the Spirit of God, and Jesus is Lord and God, one in the Trinity, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, all in one.   If this goes beyond comprehension, let it be, it is a mystery that we need not concern ourselves, for if you understand God now, you have made yourself a god.  It is better in humility to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior for all He is...everything.  This is what the men in the jail did today.  Instead of crying and being filled with anxiety, what did they do?  Sing praise and hymns to God, prayers together, and they were released.  After the rosary, we sat for reunion group of friends (a vital part of the Cursillo).  We prayed a prayer invoking the Holy Spirit.  We set a chair for the Lord. The earth didn't shake, but these bonds that tied us to earth were broke.  This happens with a life with the Lord.  I told the brothers "you can tell when you are not walking (living) a life with the Lord" they knew exactly what I meant.  One bro described it as being sucked into a vacuum.  Black holes in the universe do that, just soak in the light and turn it into darkness.  Whether they take you into another universe or not, who knows (God does know).  And so the question is for you.  Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?  Do you reject satan and all his evil works?  Do you accept God as your everything?  Do you reject the ways of the world?  Many can not believe in God.  I wonder if it is a gift then.  Yes, if it is a gift, then it is meant to be shared and given.  The more you give, the more you get.  And we are speaking of the spiritual blessings that come from Heaven.  My latest signature quote on business emails says a line from C.S. Lewis "Aim at Heaven and you will get Earth 'thrown in': aim at Earth and you will get neither."  There is our sense of direction. Christ before me always, and hope is alive.  Christ all around me, and He is near.  Christ behind me and He encourages us to live His Way.  Christ inside of me, through the Spirit and flesh of the Eucharist...watch out world, I can conquer anything!!!!   adrian Subscribe to the Going4th mailing list.

Going4th,