| Minute Meditations
St. Norbert In the twelfth century in the French region of Premontre, St. Norbert founded a religious Order known as the Praemonstratensians or the Norbertines. His founding of the Order was a monumental task: combating rampant heresies (particularly regarding the Blessed Sacrament), revitalizing many of the faithful who had grown indifferent and dissolute, plus effecting peace and reconciliation among enemies. Comment: A different world cannot be built by indifferent people. The same is true in regard to the Church. The indifference of vast numbers of nominal faithful to ecclesiastical authority and essential doctrines of the faith weakens the Church's witness. Unswerving loyalty to the Church and fervent devotion to the Eucharist, as practiced by Norbert, will continue immeasurably towards maintaining the people of God in accord with the heart of Christ. Quote: On the occasion of his ordination to the priesthood, Norbert said, "O Priest! You are not yourself because you are God. You are not of yourself because you are the servant and minister of Christ. You are not your own because you are the spouse of the Church. You are not yourself because you are the mediator between God and man. You are not from yourself because you are nothing. What then are you? Nothing and everything. O Priest! Take care lest what was said to Christ on the cross be said to you: 'He saved others, himself he cannot save!'" 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 "In these days, God taught me Consciousness In God's loving presence I unwind the past day, starting from now and looking back, moment by moment. The Word of God Reading 1 acts 25:13b-21King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea on a visit to Festus. Since they spent several days there, Festus referred Paul's case to the king, saying, "There is a man here left in custody by Felix. When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation. I answered them that it was not Roman practice to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge. So when they came together here, I made no delay; the next day I took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought in. His accusers stood around him, but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected. Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died but who Paul claimed was alive. Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy, I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these charges. And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody for the Emperor's decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar." Responsorial Psalm ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20abR. (19a) The Lord has established his throne in heaven. or: R. Alleluia. Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven. or: R. Alleluia. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us. R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven. or: R. Alleluia. The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, all you his angels, you mighty in strength, who do his bidding. R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven. or: R. Alleluia. Gospel jn 21:15-19After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." He then said to Simon Peter a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me." 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, Saint Norbert, BishopDo you love me? ... Feed my sheep. (John 21:17)
With each repeated question, Peter's eyes swelled with tears, and his voice trembled. After proudly announcing at the Last Supper that he would lay down his life for Jesus, he is now ashamed at having denied him three times. Somber yet full of compassion, Jesus doesn't scold or rebuke him. Instead, he allows him to confirm to Jesus—and, more important, to himself—that he really does love the Lord. So Jesus forgives and encourages Peter as he had done many times before. Just think: after seeing so many mistakes and "public-relations disasters," we might have written Peter off by now. But not Jesus. He had no intention of letting Peter's past sins or weaknesses change the mission he had for him. This is how Jesus treats us as well. He doesn't judge us by our past mistakes. He doesn't see us as the world sees us. Rather, he sees into our hearts. He sees our potential. He sees our love. He sees our desire for holiness. We don't have to collapse after one failure—or two or three or four! No, after each mistake, Jesus asks, "What can you learn?" And every time we repent, he offers mercy and forgiveness—seventy times seven times, if necessary! He never tires of helping us overcome our weaknesses. Think of St. Philip Neri, who upon waking each morning would say, "Lord, keep your hands over Philip this day; for if not, Philip will betray you." Despite your own betrayals, quirks, and missteps, Jesus has a perfect plan for you! You may not be destined to become pope, but you may be called to serve in a new ministry. You may be called to a hidden life of prayer and sacrifice. You may be called to make a difference in your home or workplace. Whatever it is, and no matter what rough patches you've been through, Jesus will never give up on you! He holds you in the palm of his hand. He offers you all the confidence and encouragement you need to press on. So take some time today to step away from the mistakes of your past. Instead, profess your love for Jesus, and ponder the wonderful calling he has for your life. May we never forget the mercy of God! "Jesus, I love you, I love you, I love you! Keep your hand over me today, so that I may be faithful and follow wherever you lead me."
Acts 25:13-21; Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20
my2cents: Allow me to translate the 5 minutos: "Let us prepare ourselves for Pentecost this coming Sunday, let us ask the Father for the Gift of the Holy Spirit, for us and for all men, especially for those who most need it. Let us say to the Lord: "Give us, Lord, Your Spirit, so that your church is always animated by the Spirit; so that those who doubt feel illuminated by the Spirit; so that those who fear are comforted by the Spirit; so that those who suffer, feel consoled by the Spirit; so that those who live enslaved feel liberated by the Spirit; for those that are divided to allow themselves to be reconciled by the Spirit; so that all who are thirsty for the Spirit find the fountain of Christ and in our own heart. Of course our world needs of the Spirit, but it does not know. Let us go then, to the world to give it the Good News of the Holy Spirit, that is Light and Strength, that is Peace, and Love, that is the Sould of all things. Let us go to the world and put peace where there is war and hatred; joy where there is sadness, hope where we see discouragement and pessimism; ideals where we stumble with people who are materialistic and filled with consumerism; fortitude where we observe halves and tiredness; faith where we notice doubts and incredulity; austerity where there is waste; love where there is pride and meagerness. And let us encourage all to dream of a new world, to work for a more just world in solidarity, to be more sensible before suffering of others, to respect and cultivate nature, to globalize charity." We read earlier at the Saint of the Day "a different world cannot be built by indifferent people". The reason for success is the reason for care. If you care enough you will save souls. If you do not care it will not happen...under your watch. And this watch is what is important. Being vigilant means the vigil of the Groom, Jesus Christ, and the bride, the Most Holy Church. Is He delaying? In the 21st century we are witnessing the worst persecution in history of Christians to the tune of over 100,000 martyrs all over the world. Dying for believing, bombed for worshipping God, kidnapped for being the enemy, raped because of evil. Are we indifferent? It's not my fault they're being killed, right? Who's being killed? Oh! You mean the faithful martyrs? No, no no, I mean "THEY" are all around you. Christians are being attacked in your backyard. It's not the government, it's us being infiltrated by the evil one. In small parishes there is division, "us versus them" attitudes that disgusts me. We are ONE in the Spirit of God. And I will know who reads this and takes this to heart in conversation and in living it out. What did Jesus say to St. Peter? Feed my lambs! If you love ME. Then what? Tend to the sheep! If you love ME! Then what? Feed HIS LAMBS! IF, that's IF you love JESUS. He didn't ask to conquer the world, Jesus done that already. He wants us to take care of one another and to be fed with Him. Last night I wrote a song, a ranchy mexican song that spoke of me as a work horse for God, it said basically "Lord I am tired, but spur me and whip me and see that I am a good horse, I will go like a bullet". Then the song said "just feed me and give me some water...for you I am thirsty and I want to rejoice in your pastures". Saints are work horses, we are all saints and called to be what we are. We need to be whipped sometimes because we think we are tired or unmotivated. I don't know if I am a self-motivated person, but I do notice many need motivation, including yours truly. Fuel for the fire. You know what motivates me? You. Your faith moves me. Because I see you trying, I want to try. Because I see you failing, I want to help. Because I am failing, I need your help. This is a wake up call to all those who decide to be indifferent. The difference is in the Spirit of God. Ask for the Spirit and He will come, I am not lying. When He says ask for something He is asking that you ask for HIM. Ask Him to be in every part of your life, especially your sins because He will make them disappear. What He needs is a work horse, its past He has taken care of, its eternity has been secured. He feeds it and we feed the world what it is dying of, and it is in dire need of a Savior JESUS  adrian | |||||||
Going4th,
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