Nowhere To Rest

Minute Meditations Spiritual Childhood The master is more than our master; He is our Father. Our vocation is to be children. We realize this through the gift of God's Son. The Father loves us as He loves Him. The key to sanctity is spiritual childhood. — from Made For Love, Loved By God First Martyrs of the Church of Rome (d. 68)   There were Christians in Rome within a dozen or so years after the death of Jesus, though they were not the converts of the "Apostle of the Gentiles" (Romans 15:20). Paul had not yet visited them at the time he wrote his great letter in 57-58 A.D.. There was a large Jewish population in Rome. Probably as a result of controversy between Jews and Jewish Christians, the Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome in 49-50 A.D. Suetonius the historian says that the expulsion was due to disturbances in the city "caused by the certain Chrestus" . Perhaps many came back after Claudius's death in 54 A.D. Paul's letter was addressed to a Church with members from Jewish and Gentile backgrounds. In July of 64 A.D., more than half of Rome was destroyed by fire. Rumor blamed the tragedy on Nero, who wanted to enlarge his palace. He shifted the blame by accusing the Christians. According to the historian Tacitus, many Christians were put to death because of their "hatred of the human race." Peter and Paul were probably among the victims. Threatened by an army revolt and condemned to death by the senate, Nero committed suicide in 68 A.D. at the age of 31. Comment: Wherever the Good News of Jesus was preached, it met the same opposition as Jesus did, and many of those who began to follow him shared his suffering and death. But no human force could stop the power of the Spirit unleashed upon the world. The blood of martyrs has always been, and will always be, the seed of Christians. Quote: Pope Clement I, third successor of St. Peter, writes: "It was through envy and jealousy that the greatest and most upright pillars of the Church were persecuted and struggled unto death.... First of all, Peter, who because of unreasonable jealousy suffered not merely once or twice but many times, and, having thus given his witness, went to the place of glory that he deserved. It was through jealousy and conflict that Paul showed the way to the prize for perseverance. He was put in chains seven times, sent into exile, and stoned; a herald both in the east and the west, he achieved a noble fame by his faith...." "Around these men with their holy lives there are gathered a great throng of the elect, who, though victims of jealousy, gave us the finest example of endurance in the midst of many indignities and tortures. Through jealousy women were tormented, like Dirce or the daughters of Danaus, suffering terrible and unholy acts of violence. But they courageously finished the course of faith and despite their bodily weakness won a noble prize." 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 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 I remind myself that I am in the presence of the Lord. I will take refuge in His loving heart. He is my strength in times of weakness.  He is my comforter in times of sorrow. The Word of God Reading 1 am 2:6-10, 13-16 Thus says the LORD: For three crimes of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke my word; Because they sell the just man for silver, and the poor man for a pair of sandals. They trample the heads of the weak into the dust of the earth, and force the lowly out of the way. Son and father go to the same prostitute, profaning my holy name. Upon garments taken in pledge they recline beside any altar; And the wine of those who have been fined they drink in the house of their god. Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorites before them, who were as tall as the cedars, and as strong as the oak trees. I destroyed their fruit above, and their roots beneath. It was I who brought you up from the land of Egypt, and who led you through the desert for forty years, to occupy the land of the Amorites. Beware, I will crush you into the ground as a wagon crushes when laden with sheaves. Flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong man shall not retain his strength; The warrior shall not save his life, nor the bowman stand his ground; The swift of foot shall not escape, nor the horseman save his life. And the most stouthearted of warriors shall flee naked on that day, says the LORD. Responsorial Psalm ps 50:16bc-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23 R. (22a) Remember this, you who never think of God. "Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth, Though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?" R. Remember this, you who never think of God. "When you see a thief, you keep pace with him, and with adulterers you throw in your lot. To your mouth you give free rein for evil, you harness your tongue to deceit." R. Remember this, you who never think of God. "You sit speaking against your brother; against your mother's son you spread rumors. When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it? Or do you think that I am like yourself? I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes." R. Remember this, you who never think of God. "Consider this, you who forget God, lest I rend you and there be no one to rescue you. He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me; and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God." R. Remember this, you who never think of God. Gospel mt 8:18-22 When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore. A scribe approached and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head." Another of his disciples said to him, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father." But Jesus answered him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead." 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 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: Amos 2:6-10, 13-16 View NAB Reading at USCCB.org Subscriber? Login to view archives. The First Martyrs of Holy Roman Church Beware. (Amos 2:13) Judgment Day! We've all seen cartoons showing a bearded, bedraggled character walking down the street holding a sign that says, "The End is Near!" Well, guess what? That cartoon character is right—to a point. There will come a time when Jesus will return to judge all people and bring into his kingdom those whose faith and love have opened them up to his salvation. Jesus himself spoke about this, saying that he would come to separate "the sheep from the goats" (Matthew 25:32). In Israel in the eighth century b.c., the prophet Amos appeared, urging the people to turn back to God through repentance and works of justice. Why did God call him? Because of sin. The northern kingdom of Israel had grown quite prosperous, yet despite their increasing wealth, injustice was rampant. The poor were getting poorer, while the rich were getting richer and were ignoring the call of God to care for the needy and the neglected. Regard for innocence, humility, and trustworthiness was at an all-time low, and idolatry was on the rise. God sent Amos to warn the people that they would be held accountable for their sins. He urged them to step out of the grip of sin and into the warm embrace of God's mercy. From age to age, God has called his people to himself with the same passionate love he showed for ancient Israel. As a just Father, he sometimes must correct and discipline us. And as a loving Father, he constantly holds out his hand in the hope that we will turn back to him in repentance. Most of us cringe at the thought of God confronting us with our sin, but we need to know that with God's conviction always comes the promise of forgiveness and salvation. He never shows us our sin out of a desire to condemn us or destroy us. No, he wants to transform us into the image of Christ. The plain truth is that we cannot save ourselves, just as the ancient Israelites could not. We need his correction and his grace to change. So don't shy away from the Spirit's convictions. Instead, ask him to heal you and to reshape you. "Thank you, Father, for your loving correction and the purifying work of your Spirit. Help me to accept all that you do to make me a new creation."   Psalm 50:16-23; Matthew 8:18-22 my2cents: Oh Lord, my God, you are beautiful and wonderful, and that is why we are beautiful and wonderful.  Because we are called to be His children, that makes all the difference.  There is a difference because we are not just supposed to be friends when we are parents, but we are called to be Mothers and Fathers first and foremost.  I am not going to be your little buddy when you need to hear the truth and you are going to go through things you may not like.  This is the love of our Father in Heaven.  His love is extraordinary.  We can not understand we just have to trust.  When we have a love like this, it is real.  When we hear of martyrs like today, it is for real.  People don't die for nothing, but for something if it is for the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is called savior because He has defeated sin and death, something that tormented generations B.C., Before Christ.  Why torment? People kept going back to other gods when things went well.  Hmm.  Sounds like nowadays, everything is going well, got a roof over my head, got food, got some free time and a few extra bucks, why not spend it away.  Lying on garments, pledged.  Sleeping with oppression, that is putting others down.  We do that, and more than we care to admit. And if someone brings it to your face, will you accept or reject to the truth?  Because in the world we have trouble.  But have faith, for God has conquered the world.  The only war and warrior is that of a battle and a saint.  And the saint has no weapon except that from Heaven.  How many of us are willing to accept that what God wants?  If I hear of a downturn in the economy, I hear there may be a place with a little more holiness.  If I hear and see those suffering with a sickness, I hear and see a soul that perhaps is being purified for God, and helping them is quite simply an honor.  Because God saved us from death and sin.  Family comes first though right?  Jesus said to day "let the dead bury the dead".  Sound harsh? These words are coming from God.  They sound harsh to a fatherless person.  Suddenly trusting God sounds different.  Suddenly walking on water sounds strange.  What goes first is our Lord Jesus.  He didn't just say "go walk on water" if He hadn't done it first.  He wouldn't say "leave all and go this way" if He hadn't done it first.  What He did say that He hadn't done is this: "you can do greater things than this".  In other words, more than He has done we could do.  And the danger is to falling into old ways, old gods.  Sports?  I saw an article headline "The gods of Brazil" some soccer team players.  So yes, sports are gods.  Even family become gods if they take the place of God.  Vacation?  Don't go to Holy Mass?  gods.  Suddenly the truth is being revealed.  People don't like what I say, but it shouldn't be a matter of liking what I say.  It should be a matter of loving our Father above anyone and everything in the entire world.  Loving is trusting is faith is loving in return.  For if He has faith in me, surely I can faith in Him.  For if faith is love and God is in me then trust works both ways.  I've got all I'll ever need...the keeper of the stars.  It was no accident, me loving you adrian Subscribe to the Going4th mailing list.

Going4th,

Humble Of Heart

Minute Meditations God is Love The good that God wills to us is not simply something He has but rather who He is—Himself. God is the unifying, binding force whose will is to join us to Himself in the greatest possible intimacy. — from Made For Love, Loved By God St. Cyril of Alexandria (376?-444)   Saints are not born with halos around their heads. Cyril, recognized as a great teacher of the Church, began his career as archbishop of Alexandria, Egypt, with impulsive, often violent, actions. He pillaged and closed the churches of the Novatian heretics (who required those who denied the faith to be rebaptized), participated in the deposing of St. John Chrysostom (September 13) and confiscated Jewish property, expelling the Jews from Alexandria in retaliation for their attacks on Christians. Cyril's importance for theology and Church history lies in his championing the cause of orthodoxy against the heresy of Nestorius, who taught that in Christ there were two persons, one human and one divine. The controversy centered around the two natures in Christ. Nestorius would not agree to the title "God-bearer" for Mary (January 1). He preferred "Christ-bearer," saying there are two distinct persons in Christ (divine and human) joined only by a moral union. He said Mary was not the mother of God but only of the man Christ, whose humanity was only a temple of God. Nestorianism implied that the humanity of Christ was a mere disguise. Presiding as the pope's representative at the Council of Ephesus (431), Cyril condemned Nestorianism and proclaimed Mary truly the "God-bearer" (the mother of the one Person who is truly God and truly human). In the confusion that followed, Cyril was deposed and imprisoned for three months, after which he was welcomed back to Alexandria as a second Athanasius (the champion against Arianism). Besides needing to soften some of his opposition to those who had sided with Nestorius, Cyril had difficulties with some of his own allies, who thought he had gone too far, sacrificing not only language but orthodoxy. Until his death, his policy of moderation kept his extreme partisans under control. On his deathbed, despite pressure, he refused to condemn the teacher of Nestorius. Comment: Lives of the saints are valuable not only for the virtue they reveal but also for the less admirable qualities that also appear. Holiness is a gift of God to us as human beings. Life is a process. We respond to God's gift, but sometimes with a lot of zigzagging. If Cyril had been more patient and diplomatic, the Nestorian Church might not have risen and maintained power so long. But even saints must grow out of immaturity, narrowness and selfishness. It is because they—and we—do grow, that we are truly saints, persons who live the life of God. Quote: Cyril's theme: "Only if it is one and the same Christ who is consubstantial with the Father and with men can he save us, for the meeting ground between God and man is the flesh of Christ. Only if this is God's own flesh can man come into contact with Christ's divinity through his humanity. Because of our kinship with the Word made flesh we are sons of God. The Eucharist consummates our kinship with the word, our communion with the Father, our sharing in the divine nature—there is very real contact between our body and that of the Word" (New Catholic Encyclopedia). Saint of the Day Lives, Lessons and Feast By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.     Presence The more we call on the Lord the more we can feel his Presence. Day by day he draws us closer to his loving heart.   Freedom Lord, grant me the grace to be free from the excesses of this life. Let me not get caught up with the desire for wealth. Keep my heart and mind free to love and serve you.   Consciousness Where do I sense hope, encouragement, and growth areas in my life? By looking back over the last few months, I may be able to see which activities and occasions have produced rich fruit.  If I do notice such areas, I will determine to give those areas both time and space in the future. The Word of God Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Lectionary: 170 Reading 1 dt 7:6-11 Moses said to the people: "You are a people sacred to the LORD, your God; he has chosen you from all the nations on the face of the earth to be a people peculiarly his own. It was not because you are the largest of all nations that the LORD set his heart on you and chose you, for you are really the smallest of all nations. It was because the LORD loved you and because of his fidelity to the oath he had sworn your fathers, that he brought you out with his strong hand from the place of slavery, and ransomed you from the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Understand, then, that the LORD, your God, is God indeed, the faithful God who keeps his merciful covenant down to the thousandth generation toward those who love him and keep his commandments, but who repays with destruction a person who hates him; he does not dally with such a one, but makes them personally pay for it. You shall therefore carefully observe the commandments, the statutes and the decrees that I enjoin on you today." Responsorial Psalm ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 10 R/ (cf. 17) The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him. Bless the LORD, O my soul; all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul; and forget not all his benefits. R/ The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him. He pardons all your iniquities, heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction, crowns you with kindness and compassion. R/ The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him. Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes. R/ The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him. Reading 2 1 jn 4:7-16 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us. This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit. Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world. Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. Gospel mt 11:25-30 At that time Jesus exclaimed: "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." Conversation Do I notice myself reacting as I pray with the Word of God? Do I feel challenged, comforted, angry? Imagining Jesus sitting or standing by me, I speak out my feelings, as one trusted 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: Psalm 103 View NAB Reading at USCCB.org Subscriber? Login to view archives. The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Bless the Lord, my soul! (Psalm 103:1) Yes! Bless the Lord today. Praise him and exalt him with all that is within you—not just the things that you are proud of or good at or that seem important to you. God has created you unique among all creation, and his heart is always for you. He loves to help you fulfill his plans for your life. Know that you can't be too clumsy, absentminded, or stubborn to become God's instrument. He can work with those things! Consider Margaret Mary Alacoque, a seventeenth-century nun considered to be no practical good in her convent. She found it difficult to pray according to the order's established format, and she inspired only scorn and contempt among her fellow nuns. But it was to her that Jesus entrusted the message of the Sacred Heart. He told "useless" Sr. Margaret Mary that three streams flow eternally from his heart: mercy for sinners, help for all in need, and love and light to enable people to shine forth the glory of the Lord. He pardons all your iniquities, heals all your ills. (Psalm 103:3) His stream of mercy flows without end to forgive and to restore whatever is wrong in you. Invite him to touch whatever is weak, or painful, or shameful, or just plain annoying. He will forgive. He will transform and heal. He redeems your life from destruction, crowns you with kindness and compassion. (Psalm 103:4) That second stream, help for all in need, flows also without ceasing. Set your heart on serving him, despite the things that you believe disqualify you. You are not too weak, inept, or useless. He understands you and will help you! Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. (Psalm 103:8) Love and light flow from Jesus' Sacred Heart. Love, full of grace and mercy, streams towards you daily. That love is ever patient, not easily riled, and infinitely gentle. God cares about you. He wants you to succeed as you promote his glory, in whatever ways he shows you to do that. So bless the Lord today—and every day! "Sacred Heart of Jesus, forgive and heal me. Redeem me, and crown me with your steadfast love. Most of all, guide me in all my ways."   Deuteronomy 7:6-11; 1 John 4:7-16; Matthew 11:25-30 my2cents: What does God want?  From the first Holy Scripture to the Holy Gospel, His will is written.  That we should keep His commandments, that we bless the Lord, that we love one another, that we remain in Him who is Love, that come to Him and take His yoke.  The Sacred Heart of Jesus has a history.  It is an image of Jesus was His heart outside His body.  Ever think about that?  And most often a hand under the heart as if to offer the heart, and the heart is Love.  So often the love offer goes unanswered by the ones it is offered to, namely you and me.  So often we sin, so often we fail.  And the failure is in the rejection of this Divine Love.  That's something I pointed out as I lead a rosary funeral vigil last night.  I introduced myself saying I was volunteering and that I really didn't know anybody there, but that I was honored to pray with everyone.  At the point of giving a short few words, I said we were given God's love and that we have to share it. I also said that to forgive others is to forgive self.  It is in the Lord's prayer and it is truth.  That is the point of love, to give to be made whole and one with Him.  For God gave His only son in the world with flesh and bones and a soul to love us with.  Yet Christ lives in those who believe.  No one has seen God but I see love in you, and if God is love then amazingly I see Him in the flesh.  I wrote a song to that effect last week in which one part said " I can not live focused only on God and not His children, His heart is with His elect, with all He has chosen, That means He is on earth below, not just in Heaven, That means He lives in hearts of a simple human. And so the prayers continued in the vigil for a brother unknown but prayed for fervently.  After the rosary, I was saying a few farewell words and I opened the book for vigils and a paper I had just written stood out.  I sensed it was the Holy Spirit that had done this, so I decided to read the paper.  I told the family and friends "we'll let the Holy Spirit work, allow me to read a poem I wrote today and I began to choke up reading it out to them, because earlier that day I was inspired to write at after standing up at my desk only to notice a bloody tear stain image as if the crucifix was telling me something.  I felt like telling the Lord no more, I will love you, and the poem came and I will leave you with this on this beautiful day of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus:  Don't you cry, not one more tear should drop from your eyes, Before I fail you again, I'd rather die, I don't know how I am going to show you that I love you, But I sure am going to try. I'm sorry so many people have failed you time and time again, I'm so sorry people really don't care. I'm sorry I wish I was like you, a true and good friend, I'm sorry, when it's one way, it's just not fair. As if you had to shed just one more tear, As if you didn't die without any fear, As if you didn't give everything you ever had, I live as if people owe me, living life mad. Don't you cry, not one more tear, I'm going to be brave, with you near I have no fear, I want to make you so happy, never want to see you cry, Before I fail you, I would rather die. I love you Jesus. I love you more and more. You died for me, and you're all I'll live for. I love you Jesus. Be sad for us no more.     adrian Subscribe to the Going4th mailing list. So you want more? If you've read down to here, I invite you to listen to a song me and my 9yr. old daughter sung to Jesus, a prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, a prayer turned song "Heart of Jesus". Listen here:  https://soundcloud.com/going4th/heart-of-jesus

Going4th,

Everyone Who Listens

Minute Meditations Love Transforms Us Despite our loneliness, our powerlessness, our brokenness, something drives us and refuses to die. We are a hunger for love. And when at last that love comes and finds us, picks us up and holds us close, it transforms us. We become love for others. — from Made For Love, Loved By God Blessed Raymond Lull (1235-1315)   Raymond worked all his life to promote the missions and died a missionary to North Africa. Raymond was born at Palma on the island of Mallorca in the Mediterranean Sea. He earned a position in the king's court there. One day a sermon inspired him to dedicate his life to working for the conversion of the Muslims in North Africa. He became a Secular Franciscan and founded a college where missionaries could learn the Arabic they would need in the missions. Retiring to solitude, he spent nine years as a hermit. During that time he wrote on all branches of knowledge, a work which earned him the title "Enlightened Doctor." Raymond then made many trips through Europe to interest popes, kings and princes in establishing special colleges to prepare future missionaries. He achieved his goal in 1311 when the Council of Vienne ordered the creation of chairs of Hebrew, Arabic and Chaldean at the universities of Bologna, Oxford, Paris and Salamanca. At the age of 79, Raymond went to North Africa in 1314 to be a missionary himself. An angry crowd of Muslims stoned him in the city of Bougie. Genoese merchants took him back to Mallorca, where he died. Raymond was beatified in 1514. Comment: Raymond worked most of his life to help spread the gospel. Indifference on the part of some Christian leaders and opposition in North Africa did not turn him from his goal. Three hundred years later Raymond's work began to have an influence in the Americas. When the Spanish began to spread the gospel in the New World, they set up missionary colleges to aid the work. Blessed Junipero Serra belonged to such a college. Quote: Thomas of Celano wrote of St. Francis: "In vain does the wicked man persecute one striving after virtue, for the more he is buffeted, the more strongly will he triumph. As someone says, indignity strengthens a generous spirit" (I Celano, #11). 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 Lord, you granted me the great gift of freedom. In these times, O Lord, grant that I may be free From any form of racism or intolerance. Remind me, Lord, that we are all equal in your Loving eyes. Consciousness At this moment Lord I turn my thoughts to you. I will leave aside my chores and preoccuptions. I will take rest and refreshment in your presence Lord. The Word of God Reading 1 2 kgs 24:8-17 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Nehushta, daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. He did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his forebears had done. At that time the officials of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, attacked Jerusalem, and the city came under siege. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, himself arrived at the city while his servants were besieging it. Then Jehoiachin, king of Judah, together with his mother, his ministers, officers, and functionaries, surrendered to the king of Babylon, who, in the eighth year of his reign, took him captive. And he carried off all the treasures of the temple of the LORD and those of the palace, and broke up all the gold utensils that Solomon, king of Israel, had provided in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had foretold. He deported all Jerusalem: all the officers and men of the army, ten thousand in number, and all the craftsmen and smiths. None were left among the people of the land except the poor. He deported Jehoiachin to Babylon, and also led captive from Jerusalem to Babylon the king's mother and wives, his functionaries, and the chief men of the land. The king of Babylon also led captive to Babylon all seven thousand men of the army, and a thousand craftsmen and smiths, all of them trained soldiers. In place of Jehoiachin, the king of Babylon appointed his uncle Mattaniah king, and changed his name to Zedekiah. Responsorial Psalm ps 79:1b-2, 3-5, 8, 9 R. (9) For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us. O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. They have given the corpses of your servants as food to the birds of heaven, the flesh of your faithful ones to the beasts of the earth. R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us. They have poured out their blood like water round about Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury them. We have become the reproach of our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us. O LORD, how long? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire? R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us. Remember not against us the iniquities of the past; may your compassion quickly come to us, for we are brought very low. R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us. Help us, O God our savior, because of the glory of your name; Deliver us and pardon our sins for your name's sake. R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us. Gospel mt 7:21-29 Jesus said to his disciples: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?' Then I will declare to them solemnly, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.' "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined." When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.   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: Matthew 7:21-29 View NAB Reading at USCCB.org Subscriber? Login to view archives. 12th Week in Ordinary Time I never knew you. (Matthew 7:23) Have you ever known a namedropper? You know, someone who always mentions the important people he or she knows? Usually, this is exaggerated, with some distant connection or contact turning into, "Oh, I know that person!" Who among us hasn't been tempted to use a famous name to gain influence or respect among our acquaintances? In today's Gospel reading, Jesus is making it clear that name-dropping doesn't work with him. He wants to have a real relationship with us. He wants us to know him personally, just as he knows us. He doesn't want us to settle for book knowledge or just a passing acquaintance. Even if we're busy doing his work—whether in our homes, in our communities, or in our parishes—he wants us also to be growing closer to him in our hearts. Jesus doesn't just want servants; he wants friends. So what does it mean to know Jesus? How does anyone go about building a relationship with the eternal Son of God? It may sound awfully hard, but it really isn't all that complicated or mysterious. It's pretty much the same way you build a relationship with anyone else. You spend time with him; you talk to him; you listen to him; you learn to trust him; you share secrets with him; you let him see you at your best and at your worst. Don't let the tone of today's Gospel reading frighten you. Jesus is concerned that we come to know him, but he's not about to abandon us because our relationship with him isn't as deep as the holiest of saints. Rather than worrying about whether Jesus will say, "I never knew you," make it your goal to come to know him better. Wherever you are with Jesus now, try to go a little deeper. As you read Scripture this week, listen for his still, small voice in your heart. Get in the habit of writing down what you think he is saying. Then take the time to talk to him. Tell him about your day. Open up about your hopes and fears, and see if you sense him offering you his guidance or consolation. By investing in this relationship, you are building your house on a foundation solid enough to withstand any storm. "Lord, I want to know you and to be known by you. Draw me to yourself."   2 Kings 24:8-17; Psalm 79:1-5, 8-9 my2cents: Today's 5minutos from Sonora Mexico says: "All of us would like to get to the top.  But we prefer to coast downhill. All of us would like to get far.  But we prefer to walk slow. All of us would like to arrive soon.  But we prefer to walk without a hurry. All of us would like to know everything.  But we prefer to study little. All of us would like great success.  But we prefer minimum effort. Without effort, no one achieves great things. Without risk, we experience only the easy. Downhill, we can not climb higher. Downhill, the tops never come. Downhill, it requires less effort. But the heights never come. They say that a Franciscan was designated as a guide for Mother Teresa of Calcuta during her visit to Australia. Filled with enthusiasm and eagerness for an opportunity to be close to this grand woman, he dreamed of learning much from her company.  During her visit, Mother Teresa was solicited by so many that he never had time to talk to her.  When the visit ended, he headed towards to New Guinea and the Franciscan asked: "If I pay the ticket, can I accompany you and sit at your side so you can teach me?"  Mother Teresa answered: If you have money for the trip, give the money to the poor and you will learn more than I can teach you.   Mother Teresa understood the ministry of Jesus, she made it hers and put it to practice.  " From today's Holy Scriptures, we can gather the truth of the Covenant.  Keep His ways or lose.  It's a very simple truth.  Take it or leave it.  And it's as if we want to live coasting downhill, believing we'll win the lottery through mercy, the last second of our life.  This is risky business.  To believe we have it made.  I've been to funerals where I hear people say "I just know so and so is in Heaven looking down on us smiling and ....".  How do you know they are in Heaven?  Today Jesus tells us "not everyone who says Lord Lord will enter".  Not everyone who expels demons will enter.  Not everyone who heals will enter.  Not everyone...will enter.  Scary thougt?  It shouldn't be.  It should bring us to the realization that today we have been given yet ANOTHER opportunity to turn our hearts completely to Him.  But what about all those healings and stuff done in the name of Jesus?  He did them.  He healed them.  Do we get any credit?  LOL.  Should we?  Then what's the purpose of serving?  Ahh.  Recall yesterday's Holy Gospel of wolves disguised as sheep.  I could be considered faithful, but actually be a predator underneath.  This is why I am working on my holiness.  This is why we are all being called to something more in our conversion.  There are people really upset with one another for different reasons.  What is it?  Intolerance?  Intolerant of the poor?  The Franciscan wanted to learn without lifting a finger. Sure our zeal is there but the effort is not.  Sure we'd like to learn about God, but not with others.  Yesterday I invited 5 different co-workers to join our bible study and most did not come.  I remember asking a business owner downtown, to join and he said "well I just finished reading the whole bible" and I said "well, it's one thing to read the bible, and it is another to live it and learn it with each other".  One worker said to the invitation last night "ahh, I'd rather spend my time at the gym".  But this is a typical answer, yet the only strange thing is that the young man was honest about his answer instead of saying supposedly "yes" as some said o me or to the Lord and then never coming.  Not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter.  And so as we discussed the wolves in sheep disguises last night, the topic leaned towards leaders that are hypocrites and those that take what is yours.  Finally a co-worker said what I was fixing to say "but those can be anyone of us".  We are all leaders.  Everyone who listens to His words but does not ACT on them will be like fools building on sand.  Am I fooling myself thinking living this way will last forever?  What way?  My way.  This is not to be taken lightly.  I often make it a prayer for all I do for the Lord "please Lord do not forget your servant".  For all I claim to do, it is all for not, if it is not from the heart.  If you love Jesus like Mother Teresa, you will see His face among the most needy.  Most often in my life, they are not ragged homeless people in my small town, but rather people lost in the faith, poor beyond compare while blessed in temporal needs. Rich or poor, God is calling. The poor are calling.  And there is the face of Jesus, so natural, you won't believe... adrian Subscribe to the Going4th mailing list.

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Minute Meditations Real Praise Real praise involves more than just lip service; it engages the mind and the heart. On the receiving end of praise are thoughtful, substantive declarations. By the way, praise will put a smile on the face of your spouse or friend. — from Praise God and Thank Him Blessed Jutta of Thuringia (d. 1264?) Today's patroness of Prussia began her life amidst luxury and power but died the death of a simple servant of the poor. In truth, virtue and piety were always of prime importance to Jutta and her husband, both of noble rank. The two were set to make a pilgrimage together to the holy places in Jerusalem, but her husband died on the way. The newly widowed Jutta, after taking care to provide for her children, resolved to live in a manner utterly pleasing to God. She disposed of the costly clothes, jewels and furniture befitting one of her rank, and became a Secular Franciscan, taking on the simple garment of a religious. From that point her life was utterly devoted to others: caring for the sick, particularly lepers; tending to the poor, whom she visited in their hovels; helping the crippled and blind with whom she shared her own home. Many of the townspeople of Thuringia laughed at how the once-distinguished lady now spent all her time. But Jutta saw the face of God in the poor and felt honored to render whatever services she could. About the year 1260, not long before her death, Jutta lived near the non-Christians in eastern Germany. There she built a small hermitage and prayed unceasingly for their conversion. She has been venerated for centuries as the special patron of Prussia.   Comment: Jesus once said that a camel can pass through a needle's eye more easily than a rich person can enter God's realm. That's pretty scary news for us. We may not have great fortunes, but we who live in the West enjoy a share of the world's goods that people in the rest of the world cannot imagine. Much to the amusement of her neighbors, Jutta disposed of her wealth after her husband's death and devoted her life to caring for those who had no means. Should we follow her example, people will probably laugh at us, too. But God will smile.   Saint of the Day Lives, Lessons and Feast By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.     Presence Even as I seek to prepare the way of the Lord this Advent, I know that God is already with me.  I pause to bring myself to an awareness of God's presence. 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 2 kgs 22:8-13; 23:1-3 The high priest Hilkiah informed the scribe Shaphan, "I have found the book of the law in the temple of the LORD." Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, who read it. Then the scribe Shaphan went to the king and reported, "Your servants have smelted down the metals available in the temple and have consigned them to the master workmen in the temple of the LORD." The scribe Shaphan also informed the king that the priest Hilkiah had given him a book, and then read it aloud to the king. When the king heard the contents of the book of the law, he tore his garments and issued this command to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, son of Shaphan, Achbor, son of Micaiah, the scribe Shaphan, and the king's servant Asaiah: "Go, consult the LORD for me, for the people, for all Judah, about the stipulations of this book that has been found, for the anger of the LORD has been set furiously ablaze against us, because our fathers did not obey the stipulations of this book, nor fulfill our written obligations." The king then had all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem summoned together before him. The king went up to the temple of the LORD with all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: priests, prophets, and all the people, small and great. He had the entire contents of the book of the covenant that had been found in the temple of the LORD, read out to them. Standing by the column, the king made a covenant before the LORD that they would follow him and observe his ordinances, statutes and decrees with their whole hearts and souls, thus reviving the terms of the covenant which were written in this book. And all the people stood as participants in the covenant. Responsorial Psalm ps 119:33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40 R. (33a) Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord. Instruct me, O LORD, in the way of your statutes, that I may exactly observe them. R. Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord. Give me discernment, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart. R. Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord. Lead me in the path of your commands, for in it I delight. R. Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord. Incline my heart to your decrees and not to gain. R. Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord. Turn away my eyes from seeing what is vain: by your way give me life. R. Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your justice give me life. R. Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord. Gospel mt 7:15-20 Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them." 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: Matthew 7:15-20 View NAB Reading at USCCB.org Subscriber? Login to view archives.   12th Week in Ordinary Time Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing. (Matthew 7:15) You can probably think of people you might call a "false prophet." The media is filled with people who spread inaccurate and harmful messages. Imagine yourself talking to one of these people. You forthrightly explain what is wrong with his or her message. You present your point of view calmly and reasonably. It all seems so cogent and convincing to you. But unless you're very persuasive, this person is not going to change. Now change the picture. Imagine that the person you are talking to is ... you! As often as not, we are the first ones to lead ourselves astray. So many thoughts come our way every day that truly do resemble sheep-cloaked wolves: "That dessert is tasty—you need a third helping!" "That person is really attractive. You've got to take another look!" "After what she did to you, there's no way you should forgive her." "That beggar should get a job instead of bothering me!" We know that if we listen to these wolfish thoughts, they will lead to bad fruit—selfishness, sadness, isolation, and sin. It's tough to look inside ourselves, but Jesus wants us to examine our thoughts. Not because he wants to show us how bad we are, because we're not. It's because he wants us to be free to hear and to live by the voice of the Holy Spirit. Only by quieting our racing minds will we be able to hear his words of affirmation, conviction, and direction. Only by silencing the wolves can we hear the Lamb! How do you take control of these renegade thoughts? The same way you would change your wardrobe. Every day, you decide to "put away" your old undesirable thoughts and "put on" Christ (Ephesians 4:22, 24). His clothes are so much better! So receive his Spirit—through his word, through the sacraments, and by just being in his presence. And he will give you new clothes, his "glorious mantle" (Isaiah 61:3). As your mind is renewed, your life will change. You are already a new creation—now dress like it! "Lord, right now I want to quiet down and listen to my heart—for you live there! Show me if there are any wolves lurking about. Help me to renounce anything that keeps your love out!"   2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3; Psalm 119:33-37, 40     my2cents: Today's 5 minutos had the scripture Gal.5:1-26 in which we read "... I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh.* 17  For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. 18  But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  19* Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, 21 occasions of envy,* drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. 26 Let us not be conceited, provoking one another, envious of one another." And this is fitting to the Holy Scriptures of today.  The Old Testament is filled with a Covenant, a promise, a pact with God.  And the New Testament a new covenant, with God, Jesus.  What pact?  The one deal made with you.  The Way.  It is offered.  What is the 'Way'?  Jesus.  You mean I have to live like Jesus?  Are you a disciple of Christ?  Are you a follower of His Way?  Jesus is the Covenant.  That makes His mother, the new ark of the new covenant.  Not only now do we have commands, commandments, but a new commandment that calls for a holiness like no other.  Sell all and give to the poor?  Never look upon others with disdain or in sin?  Yes.  But the covenant is even more.  The old covenant had the commandments, the staff of Aaron, and the Mana from Heaven.  They are all wrapped in one in Jesus. People have to partake of the covenant, the will of God, the Life offered through it, and the bread of Jesus for eternal life.  Life in the Spirit.  Life of Service.  Last night my wife was feeding the baby and when he ran out of bottle she asked me and/or my daughter to go make another bottle.  My daughter just "couldn't" get off her phone and as I got up I said "we should be rushing to see who can serve one another".  LOL, she's only 9 but smart, "but daddy knows how to make the bottle better!", no excuse though, we are called to a Love service.  If you love you will serve.  Does this mean that those whom don't serve the Lord do not love the Lord?  The covenant, just as the bottle, is there for the taking.  My sister in law and  her husband are living with us.  They are cleaning and serving constantly.  They said last night, "thanks for everything, letting us stay here and all" and I said "it is no burden when you are serving the way you are".  The act of thanks has been given, not just by words as a wolf in sheep's clothing.  Because we ourselves become wolves in sheep clothing when we attack one another and do not serve with love for one another.  The infiltration is within.  The Holy Spirit is within. "We absorb what is around us" I said in the safety meeting this morning as we discussed heat safety.  But the same is with the Spirit.  Bad spirits are always around, but can not infiltrate a body that is filled with a Good Spirit, the new Covenant, JESUS.  So the fruits are given in due time.  "Oh but we don't grow in numbers" they say at ministries sometimes.  So what?  Good fruit is eaten here and constantly shared.  I've noticed that for plants, they give off thousands perhaps millions of seeds and only a few take to a new life.  And so is our good fruit, at least it is giving off thousands if not millions of good seeds. Otherwise it'd be a bad tree... Jesus on a tree, born from the wood of a tree, the stump of Jesse, be with us...we turn to you for Light, and water, love and mercy, the grace to live a life of you, the Way... adrian Subscribe to the Going4th mailing list.     

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