| Minute Meditations
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Frances Xavier Cabrini was the first United States citizen to be canonized; she became a U.S. citizen in 1909. Her deep trust in the loving care of her God gave her the strength to be a valiant woman doing the work of Christ. Refused admission to the religious order which had educated her to be a teacher, she began charitable work at the House of Providence Orphanage in Cadogno, Italy. In September 1877, she made her vows there and took the religious habit. When the bishop closed the orphanage in 1880, he named Frances prioress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Seven young women from the orphanage joined her. Since her early childhood in Italy, Frances had wanted to be a missionary in China but, at the urging of Pope Leo XIII, Frances went west instead of east. She traveled with six sisters to New York City to work with the thousands of Italian immigrants living there. She found disappointment and difficulties with every step. When she arrived in New York, the house intended to be her first orphanage in the United States was not available. The archbishop advised her to return to Italy. But Frances, truly a valiant woman, departed from the archbishop's residence all the more determined to establish that orphanage. And she did. In 35 years Frances Xavier Cabrini founded 67 institutions dedicated to caring for the poor, the abandoned, the uneducated and the sick. Seeing great need among Italian immigrants who were losing their faith, she organized schools and adult education classes. As a child, she was always frightened of water, unable to overcome her fear of drowning. Yet, despite this fear, she traveled across the Atlantic Ocean more than 30 times. She died of malaria in her own Columbus Hospital in Chicago. Comment: The compassion and dedication of Mother Cabrini is still seen in hundreds of thousands of her fellow citizens, not yet canonized, who care for the sick in hospitals, nursing homes and state institutions. We complain of increased medical costs in an affluent society, but the daily news shows us millions who have little or no medical care, and who are calling for new Mother Cabrinis to become citizen-servants of their land. Quote: At her canonization on July 7, 1946, Pope Pius XII said, "Although her constitution was very frail, her spirit was endowed with such singular strength that, knowing the will of God in her regard, she permitted nothing to impede her from accomplishing what seemed beyond the strength of a woman." Patron Saint of: Hospital administrators Immigrants Impossible causes 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, grant me the grace to be free from the excesses of this life. Consciousness How am I really feeling? Lighthearted? Heavy-hearted? I may be very much at peace, happy to be here. Equally, I may be frustrated, worried or angry. I acknowledge how I really am. The Word of God Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin Reading 1 phlm 7-20Beloved: Responsorial Psalm ps 146:7, 8-9a, 9bc-10R. (5a) Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob. Gospel lk 17:20-25Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Listen to audio of this reading Watch a video reflection Conversation How has God's Word moved me? Has it left me cold? Has it consoled me or moved me to act in a new way? 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. Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin The Kingdom of God is among you. (Luke 17:21)
"Wait!" said one Pharisee to another. "Is he saying that the kingdom of God is already here? What about the Romans and their empire? We're still an occupied nation. This sure doesn't feel like the kingdom of God!" Looking around at our world, we might come to a similar conclusion. But the kingdom of God is not about a location or even the regime in power; it's about a new way of relating to one another that brings healing and freedom. Throughout Jesus' ministry, he didn't just talk about the kingdom of God. He also demonstrated it as he blessed, loved, forgave, healed, and served the people he was speaking to. His own witness demonstrated the kingdom: he didn't hold any grudges, put on airs, or distance himself from the poor and the marginzlized. In fact, he went out of his way to welcome them and show them God's mercy. He also taught about this way of relating through parables that prioritized forgiveness over revenge, service over being served, and sacrificial love over self-serving arrogance. Think about your relationships in this light. There is probably more of the kingdom of God in your midst than you think! Every time you hug your child, call a friend, help out in your parish, or do the dishes (with or without complaining), the kingdom of God is there. Whenever you pray, it is there. It's present every time you choose to love the people around you, even when they're not being particularly lovable. That's encouraging, isn't it? The kingdom of God is among you. Today, think about how you can bring the kingdom of God into just one relationship. Look for one opportunity to encourage someone, to forgive, or to be an instrument of God's presence. It doesn't have to be dramatic and life changing. It just has to be upbuilding and life affirming. You are a citizen of this kingdom, an ambassador for Christ. Because of that, you can bring his presence wherever you go. You can make a difference! "Thank you, Lord, for making me a citizen of your kingdom. Empower me to be a blessing to everyone I meet today."
Philemon 7-20; Psalm 146:7-10
my2cents: "Yes, brother, may I profit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ" were the last words of the first Holy Scripture today. The Psalm "Blessed is He whose help is the God of Jacob". St. Paul wanted his heart to be refreshed in Christ. He wanted Christ accepted. That is the help we all need, to be refreshed by accepting the God of Jacob in our hearts. Jesus speaks today, and was asked "...when the Kingdom of God would come". My question to you is this, 'if the King is with you, where is His Kingship?'? If He is the Kingdom, and He appears across the world, then, get ready for this, because we are among the Kingdom of God. You can't rightly say it's just over here or there, because often it is where you do not expect, often in the most abandoned of places, often in the most forgotten and remotely remembered or hard to get to. Am I speaking of some distant place on earth? Or in that despondent child, or forgotten person in the nursing home? Am I speaking of church the building, or Church the people of God? Am I bringing up a castle in the sky or have I witnessed it with my own eyes? We pray the Lord's prayer "thy Kingdom come, thy will be done". Does this mean His will brings His Kingdom? YES. When the apostles ask for faith, what does Jesus do? Talks about doing stuff, some seemingly impossible. What's impossible for me? What if God asked me to take on the sufferings of my enemies? What if God asked me to be stripped naked, beaten, open wounds, spat on and kicked around? All for my enemies and loved ones to be saved? Who does that? Mother Cabrini did it in her special way. She was rejected, but continued to seek God's will for His Kingdom. She crossed the ocean which probably took weeks. She got to New York only to get rejected AGAIN. But what did she do? She did what Jesus told the Apostles "Keep Going". Do what seems impossible. As if a prison kept the Kingdom away from St. Paul? As if death to Jesus on earth kept the Kingdom away from us? No. What is impressive is Onesimus, the "son" of St. Paul, who was imprisoned and became more for the Kingdom of God. Now this entails suffering. The Son that will light up the sky will be Glorious, but first having had to go through darkness. This is you and me this day. We may have to go through darkness, but keep going. Have faith. Keep going means keep increasing your faith. And you already are by studying and reflecting. "You will not see anyone who is truly striving after his spiritual advancement who is not given to spiritual reading." — St. Athanasius of Alexandria "In my deepest wound I saw Your glory and it astounded me." -St. Augustine  adrian | |||||||
Going4th,
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