| Minute Meditations
St. Ignatius of Laconi 
Ignatius is another sainted begging brother.
He was the second of seven children of peasant parents in Sardinia. His path to the Franciscans was unusual. During a serious illness, Ignatius vowed to become a Capuchin if he recovered. He regained his health but ignored the promise. A riding accident prompted him to renew the pledge, which he acted on the second time; he was 20 then. Ignatius's reputation for self-denial and charity led to his appointment as the official beggar for the friars in Cagliari. He fulfilled that task for 40 years; he was blind the last two years.
Comment: Why did the people of Cagliari support the friars? These followers of Francis worked hard but rarely at jobs that paid enough to live on. Under these conditions St. Francis allowed them to beg. The life of Ignatius reminds us that everything God considers worthwhile does not have a high-paying salary attached to it. Quote: "And I used to work with my hands, and I desire to work; and I firmly wish that all my brothers give themselves to honest work. Let those who do not know how [to work] learn, not from desire of receiving wages for their work but as an example and in order to avoid idleness. And when we are not paid for our work, let us have recourse to the table of the Lord, seeking alms from door to door" (St. Francis, Testament).
Daily Prayer - 2015-05-11PresenceI 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.... FreedomThere are very few people who realise what God would make of them if they abandoned themselves into his hands, and let themselves be formed by his grace. (Saint Ignatius) I ask for the grace to trust myself totally to God's love. ConsciousnessHow do I find myself today? The Word of GodMonday of the Sixth Week of Easter Reading 1 Acts 16:11-15We set sail from Troas, making a straight run for Samothrace, Responsorial Psalm PS 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9bR. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people. Alleluia Jn 15:26b, 27aR. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 15:26—16:4aJesus said to his disciples: Listen to audio of this reading Watch a video reflection Some thoughts on today's scriptureWhen the Counsellor comes...The Holy Spirit, the Counsellor, does not operate as an alien intruder whispering surprising news into my ear. Rather he helps me to be myself, and to learn from my experience. When Peter, James and Paul, at the first council of Jerusalem, disagreed on whether to circumcise pagan converts, they resolved their arguments by reflecting on their experience; then they were able to conclude: It seems good to the Holy Spirit and to us... ConversationRemembering 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. ConclusionGlory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, 6th Week of Easter On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river where we thought there would be a place of prayer. (Acts 16:13)
A couple of years ago, a woman in Belgium set out in her car to pick up a friend from the train station ninety miles away. However, her GPS device led her astray. Surprisingly, she continued to follow it and ended up about nine hundred miles south of her intended destination. Thank God this doesn't have to be our fate in the spiritual life! Because the Holy Spirit lives in us, we can trust that God will never lead us astray. As Paul and Silas continued their missionary journey, they made sure to ask the Spirit for direction and guidance, and the Spirit answered them. He prevented them from going to the province of Asia and to Bithynia. We don't know exactly how this happened, but something made them change their plans. The Spirit also spoke to them in a dream, leading them to Philippi. Unlike the woman who followed her GPS device without question, Paul and Silas sought to discern the Spirit's voice and cooperated with him. As a result, they met Lydia and her friends and brought them to conversion. The Holy Spirit wants us to have the same confidence that Paul and Silas did. He wants us to seek his guidance, trusting that he will answer. Of course, there will be trial and error—perhaps even a lot of error at first—but that's the best thing about the Holy Spirit. He is infinitely patient! Don't be surprised if the Spirit sets obstacles in your path, as he did for Paul and Silas. It doesn't necessarily mean that he is upset with a choice you are about to make. Maybe he just wants to lead you along a more fruitful road. If this happens, rejoice that God is intervening. It means he is sharing his plans with you! Instead of complaining or growing frustrated, ask the Spirit if he is trying to redirect you. Whatever happens, know that the Lord loves you. He sees your heart. He will keep working with you long as you keep working with him. "Holy Spirit, help me to detect your voice. I open my heart to you. Please come and guide me!"
Psalm 149:1-6, 9; John 15:26--16:4
my2cents: Today's 5 minutos said:
"Two women, comissary prisoners, were being tortured. On the streets you could hear their screams: "Don't hit me! Don't hit me!. The Bishop, Sao Felix, Don Pedro, and Father John Bosco were visiting the city. When finding out what was going on, they decided to go and help. Two sergeants and two soldiers received them with insults and nastiness. They attempted a serene dialogue but in vain. When the priest threatened to report those arbitrarinesses to their immediate superiors, one of them hit him and, on continutation, a shot to the head with a revolver. They took the priest to the Neurological Institute. But it was all useless, the bullet was explosive and it burst in the brain. What was impressive was that the priest could talk for more than two hours with those who accompanied him. It was a profoundly Christian agony. He offered repeatedly his life for the indians, for the pueblo, and for the persecuted. Imitating Jesus, agonizing, said: "Don Pedro, we have completed our assignment"...he died invoking Jesus. Giving testimony of the Gospel of Jesus requests many times suffering and martyrdom. With His strength we can free the battle between good and evil, and remain faithful to Christ in middle of a world that at times shows itself clearly against His Gospel, and give testimony of Christ in our environment, being of the word and faithful work at His style of life and His convictions." St. Paul speaks about the times they travelled, evangelizing the cities, and how some were baptized, become of the flock of the Lord. I read a quote today that said "Put your heart at His feet. It is the gift He loves most."— St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Question is, do you trust the Lord with your heart? Even if it means going through tough times, like suffering and giving up your life? Because I'm afraid too many of us are afraid, to suffer...for Him. So what is the driving force that propels the ones that do...to do it? It is the Holy Spirit. Our Lord said in the Gospel today "When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify...". The Spirit of Truth will testify, through you, and this is the call...to allow Him. He is working among us, speaking through thousands of followers and even non-followers. It would be so complicated to explain in detail what He has done and will do and is doing, but this is God, we can not begin to understand..but we try. And so, the Spirit, the Advocate will work through a willing spirit. Because there are alot of good people in the world...that don't know Jesus. They have never met him. So many are there, that they fall into false beliefs and get bad spirits, and even kill those that believe in Christ. But those that DO Know, you better realize right now what is being asked of you, to save, to bring the gospel to the world, because they say that souls fall into hell like snowflakes, imagine thousands and millions falling, and mostly because we stood there being "good" like the rest, not wanting to cause any "problems" and so, letting souls fall to an eternal death. This is the perplexing situation, and dilemma I find myself in. We can be assured we are saved by grace, but those that are not in grace? Those that are not disposed to grace? Thost that are not exposed to grace? You see? Jesus says today ""I have told you this so that you may not fall away"  adrian | |||||||
going4th-20150511080558.mp3Going4th,
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