| Minute Meditations
St. Pius X  Pope Pius X is perhaps best remembered for his encouragement of the frequent reception of Holy Communion, especially by children. The second of 10 children in a poor Italian family, Joseph Sarto became Pius X at 68, one of the 20th century's greatest popes. Ever mindful of his humble origin, he stated, "I was born poor, I lived poor, I will die poor." He was embarrassed by some of the pomp of the papal court. "Look how they have dressed me up," he said in tears to an old friend. To another, "It is a penance to be forced to accept all these practices. They lead me around surrounded by soldiers like Jesus when he was seized in Gethsemani." Interested in politics, he encouraged Italian Catholics to become more politically involved. One of his first papal acts was to end the supposed right of governments to interfere by veto in papal elections—a practice that reduced the freedom of the 1903 conclave which had elected him. In 1905, when France renounced its agreement with the Holy See and threatened confiscation of Church property if governmental control of Church affairs were not granted, Pius X courageously rejected the demand. While he did not author a famous social encyclical as his predecessor had done, he denounced the ill treatment of indigenous peoples on the plantations of Peru, sent a relief commission to Messina after an earthquake and sheltered refugees at his own expense. On the 11th anniversary of his election as pope, Europe was plunged into World War I. Pius had foreseen it, but it killed him. "This is the last affliction the Lord will visit on me. I would gladly give my life to save my poor children from this ghastly scourge." He died a few weeks after the war began and was canonized in 1954. Comment: His humble background was no obstacle in relating to a personal God and to people whom he loved genuinely. He gained his strength, his gentleness and warmth for people from the source of all gifts, the Spirit of Jesus. In contrast, we often feel embarrassed by our backgrounds. Shame makes us prefer to remain aloof from people whom we perceive as superior. If we are in a superior position, on the other hand, we often ignore simpler people. Yet we, too, have to help "restore all things in Christ," especially the wounded people of God. Quote: Describing Pius X, a historian wrote that he was "a man of God who knew the unhappiness of the world and the hardships of life, and in the greatness of his heart wanted to comfort everyone."
Presence Dear Lord as I come to you today Freedom Your death on the cross has set me free. Consciousness I remind myself that I am in the presence of the Lord. The Word of God 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 Pius X, Pope A clean heart create for me, O God. (Psalm 51:12)
Yes, Lord, give me a new heart! My old one is tired, sin-sick, and covered with dust accumulated over the years. Only you, Father, can create something new! You speak, and it comes to be. So speak that word over me, Father: a new heart. Lord, I need a new heart, a heart filled with the wonder and joy of salvation. Let it be a pure vessel, whole and sound, free from damage and defect—a fountain of your love that bubbles up and spills over into my day. Father, my heart is cluttered. Come in and clear it out! Rearrange the furniture that has been strewn so haphazardly around. So many things are too heavy for me to move on my own: angers, old injuries and grudges I can't seem to forgive, pain over losses and unreturned love, affection and attention never offered to me, abuse and shame and guilt I can't get past. A new heart, ordered and in harmony with your desires—this is what I need! A space that pleases you, a place where I can host your presence every day. I want to be with you. I want to have you with me, making all things new. In that newly cleared space, Father, place a steadfast spirit, willing to love and serve and obey you all the days of my life! Come, Lord, and straighten out the untidy mess I have allowed to heap up: habits and behaviors that hinder your life in me, unwholesome images I have seen and godless attitudes I have carried, and lies I have believed and nurtured. Rid me of the junk I have heedlessly tucked away so that the light of your love can shine in me and through me once again. Father, give me a new heart—renewed in love, eager to love you in return, and overflowing with love for others. Let your truth and wisdom shape my heart so that I can know your ways and walk in your paths. Come, Lord, and lead me in your truth and teach me. Give me a teachable, loving heart, a heart in which the fruit of your Spirit can grow and mature. "Lord, I need a humble and contrite heart, a heart that is always open to you!"
Ezekiel 36:23-28; Matthew 22:1-14
my2cents: I remember a valentine's card I gave my wife while we were dating before we got married. It said "Before I met you I already loved you, and now that we're together, I never want to let you go." We always recall it, jumbling up the words but it never loses its meaning (I probably quoted it wrong LOL) but you get the gist and this is important (when thinking about God's love). In today's 1st Holy Scripture, the prophet Ezekiel is imploring the people of God to turn their "stony" hearts to "natural" hearts. You see, when we do not have the Lord 1st in our lives, our hearts become unnatural. The Lord said "I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from your impurities". And this is important, baptism, to be in the proper garments for what is to come, the great return from the exile in the Old Testament. The coming of the groom....Jesus. We are talking about a covenant in our lives. We prayed the Psalm "I will pour clean water on you and wash away your sins". The proper attire for entering Heaven is to be sinless and Holy, lest we forget, we are entering Holy Grounds. There is this train of thought and theology going around saying basically "you can do whatever you want, believe whatever you want, and you do it and that will get you into Heaven". Sounds too good to be true? Probably is. I had a discussion with my anti-catholic brother (says he is not now) and my sister a couple months ago. We had a bible discussion, the first ever, after many years of praying for them and not being welcomed in their home. Towards the end, it was late, I had to get home. Thinking they had agreed or were satisfied with my feeble "aplogetics", my sister asked me about my baptism and its validity because of the words used during baptism not using the name Jesus but in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Holy Trinity), and so because it was not as other Gospels said "in the name of Jesus" they say I won't be saved. This coming from them who are aiming to be pastors at some newer church that popped up down the street. I said the Son is Jesus and Jesus is One with the Father, the Son. Then I looked later in the bible, and it was Jesus who said to be baptized in this way. What does all this matter? Hold on, the wedding and groom are coming. It matters because salvation matters. Sometimes I wonder if my sister really loves me. Why do I ask? Because she basically claimed I wasn't saved or baptized correctly, and hasn't lifted a finger to change that. Or vice versa I could say the same for them (I do pray for them still) but LOL, she's been baptized Catholic forever as an infant. And so we read of the "garment", but first of the so many that rejected the wedding invitation from the King, for the King's son (Jesus). Excuses "sorry, too busy!", or "sorry, gotta work!", or "sorry, I'm going to have to shut you up!", so we turn off (kill) what is annoying. Is it just that we kill the Son or that God kills the Son's killers? Is it right that we kill good or that good kill the bad? Notice how this is getting personal. Am I going to accept the Good invitation? For the covenant? Notice I am not answering any questions, it is resting in your heart. I only brought up my sister so that you would notice if we really love one another (for salvation of their souls), or if we truly are "sorry" (or lie about repenting and never really reconcile). If the garment is repentance, change of heart and mind, we are putting on Jesus. Let me give you a silly example. I can only see a couple hundred emails sent daily from me for my2cents, which are basically invitations from God. I am forced to see by my email marketing program the percentage that was opened before I can start a new campaign daily. The average is about 18%, and for years it used to be an average of 10% of emails opened. That means few accepted the invitation. You see, the story is not a fake story. What is being said in the Holy Scripture is real. I absorb scripture and live them out. I am taking on the garment when I repent and am baptized. This is what Jesus wants and said before going to Heaven, and today He said few are chosen of the few that accept. So what's going to happen to me Adrian? I am going to tell you what has happened so that you will know what will happen. We have failed, but we will not fail again when God is 1st in my relationship with Him (our covenant). I am pumped up, looking forward to getting to that wedding feast. It's not only waiting in Heaven, it is culminating in the celebration of Holy Mass. With open arms He awaits for me to be one with Him, an intercourse and exchange like no other. "Ehh, I got other things to do". LOL, Really? Things to do for who or what? God is waiting! For me? For what? Repentance and Love. We got repentance and He gots love....ready to trade and make one? What an awesome God. We can do this...together  adrian
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Going4th,
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