You are worth more

Minute Meditations The Fountain of Love They [the lepers] asked the Lover which was the fountain of love. He answered that it was the one where the Beloved had cleansed us from our sins, and from which he gives us, as a free gift, that living water which brings whoever drinks it to eternal life in endless love. —Rámon Lull — from Love Never Fails St. Hedwig (1174?-1243) Rarely do humans realize the possibilities of the wise use of earthly power and worldly wealth. Hedwig was one of the few. Born to nobility toward the close of the 12th century, she was married at an early age to Henry, duke of Silesia (now Poland). Through her persuation and personal efforts, several monastic institutions of both men and women were established in Silesia. Several hospitals, one for lepers, were likewise founded. She was personally a great force in establishing peace in the surrounding areas during power struggles. To her great sorrow, she was unable to prevent a pitched battle between the forces of two of her sons, one of whom was dissatisfied over the partition of estates that Henry had made between them. After she and her husband had made mutual vows of celibacy, she lived mostly at the monastery at Trebnitz where, although not a formal member of the religious institute, she nevertheless participated in the religious exercises of the community. She died in1243 and was buried at Trebnitz. Comment: Whatever possessions we may be blessed with are not for our own needs or personal comfort alone; they are also to be used in assisting others. Use of these goods should always promote, never impede, progress in God's love. It is true that earthly things of themselves in no way contradict God's love but rather are evident of it. Even so, we can become so interested in and entriced by what we sense that we become forgetful of the God from whom these blessings come. Quote: Hedwig sacrificed her wish to become a religious in later life in order to use her earthly goods to help the poor. She chose poverty, distrusting the comforts her means might have afforded her and denying herself even such basic necessities as shoes in winter. She wore the religious habit, lived the life of a religious but would not give up the administration of her possessions so that she and those she was able to help might better appreciated the supernatural life of God's grace. Daily Prayer - 2015-10-16 Presence The world is charged with the grandeur of God. (Gerard Manley Hopkins) I dwell for a moment on the Presence of God around me, in every part of my body, and deep within my being. Freedom By God's grace I was born to live in freedom. Free to enjoy the pleasures He created for me. Dear Lord, grant that I may live as You intended, with complete confidence in Your Loving care. Consciousness My soul longs for your presence, Lord. When I turn my thoughts to you, I find peace and contentment. The Word of God Reading 1 Rom 4:1-8 Brothers and sisters: What can we say that Abraham found, our ancestor according to the flesh? Indeed, if Abraham was justified on the basis of his works, he has reason to boast; but this was not so in the sight of God. For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. A worker's wage is credited not as a gift, but as something due. But when one does not work, yet believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. So also David declares the blessedness of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not record. Responsorial Psalm PS 32:1b-2, 5, 11 R. (see 7) I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation. Blessed is he whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile. R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not. I said, "I confess my faults to the LORD," and you took away the guilt of my sin. R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just; exult, all you upright of heart. R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation. Alleluia PS 33:22 R. Alleluia, alleluia. May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us; who have put our hope in you. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 12:1-7 At that time: So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, "Beware of the leaven--that is, the hypocrisy--of the Pharisees. "There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows." - - - Some thoughts on today's scripture Jesus tells us to be careful not to live a life of pretence. We all appreciate it when we meet an authentic person. Before God, all pretence is eventually uncovered. God misses nothing. Our relationship with God supports us in our search for authenticity. Conversation Dear Jesus, I can open up my heart to you. I can tell you everything that troubles me. I know you care about all the concerns in my life. Teach me to live in the knowledge that you who care for me today, will care for me tomorrow and all the days of 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: Romans 4:1-8 View NAB Reading at USCCB.org Subscriber? Login to view archives. Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin (Optional Memorial) Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. (Romans 4:3) A new word was added to the Oxford English Dictionary a couple of years ago: selfie. It's a digital picture you take of yourself that often includes a background of where you are or the people who are with you. While taking a selfie can be a fun way to capture a special moment, the word conveys the sense of focusing on yourself and making yourself the center of attention. And what often happens when we look at a picture of ourselves? We focus on the flaws. "Do I really look like that?" "Wow! My teeth are more crooked than I thought!" Contrast this with God's calling for Abraham. He had called this wealthy Chaldean to pick up everything and move, and Abraham obeyed. Now, many years later, God tells him to look at the nighttime sky. He promises to make Abraham's offspring as numerous as the stars in the heavens. And Abraham focuses on God and believes him. He trusts that God is who he says he is and that he will do what he says he will do. He looks away from himself and looks at the Lord instead. As Paul says later on in this chapter, Abraham "did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body as dead (for he was almost a hundred years old)" (Romans 4:19). He didn't focus on his flaws or shortcomings, but only on God's promise. And for this, God considered him righteous. God wants us to focus on him—not because he is self-absorbed, but because he knows how much it will help us. He wants us to know what it's like to be loved completely and unconditionally—warts and all! That way, we won't focus on our weaknesses and flaws and feel helpless. Rather, we'll focus on his mercy and acceptance, drawing from his love the strength and confidence we need for our daily lives. So be like Abraham today, and believe in God. Focus on him, not yourself, and see where he leads you. "Father, you created the stars in the heavens, and you call each one by name. I believe that you hold all of creation in the palms of your hands. I believe that you have called me by name and that you are faithful to every promise you have made." Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11 Luke 12:1-7 my2cents: To read scripture is one thing.  To understand is better.  To live it out is fruitful.  To believe it is faith.  To love it, is faith.  To contemplate it all day is to carry God's love.  This is an emphasis we need to digest.  St. Paul speaks to the Roman's about Abraham's faith.    Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Righteousness is credit to our Lord, our credit and His credit.  Years later, our Lord our Christ would say to believe in the one whom is after death, in the eternal realms.  To the one who hears a whisper and a thought.  Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered.  The Pope has asked for prayers repeatedly.  If a bishop has many irons in the fire, much more does the Pope, the bishop of Rome.  In every church, you can see evil at work, with deception, with lies, with conspiracies, with separation, and it goes all the way to Rome.  It is a daunting task to tackle, to fight for unity, to unite those that don't want to unite, loving those that don't want to be loved, giving to those that don't want to receive.  Sounds like the Lord in the first scripture.  He presents Salvation and faith to obtain to those who believe and accept. The Psalms pray "R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just; exult, all you upright of heart."  We have done nothing to deserve so much grace and mercy, yet God gives.  This is where appreciation comes in.  This is where thanksgiving comes in.  This is where the Eucharist comes in.  With just a handful of people at daily Mass, yesterday I thought, "these are the people responding to His banquet, His feast, where He serves Himself".  I am honored.  The world stops here.  Nothing is more important.  Nothing is more important than what God gives.  In this case, acknowledge yourself a steward of God's gifts.  What are His gifts?  Your ability to breathe, and speak, and see, and hear.  Who can afford you all of this at no cost?  Who can afford you a heart of cheer?  Jesus our Lord can, and it comes by way of giving.  This is why at our family festival I ask people to help rather than just attend, because you get more out of it, more cheer, more joy in serving...rather than being served.  What is asked then is a giving of one's gifts...life and love. Our beautiful savior speaks today "I shall show you whom to fear." He speaks of the Father.  He speaks of the one who knows all those secrets you tried to be sneaky about.  He knows your thoughts.  And He is asking for me and you to consider the fear of His righteousness.  Because say you are forgiven...there is still those who will suffer because of your evil, there is still justification, to pay.  Just because you can be forgiven doesn't mean you can go ahead and do something evil.  This is why we have to pray for one another.  I said in a prayer meeting after Mass last night that we have to be the ones to give; "we have to be the first ones to give when someone hurts you, you have to be the one to help them see God", we will always have to be the first ones to give.  Because this is how our Lord is.  He is a giver.  Jesus says today very important words "Do Not Be Afraid".  They say it is said 365 times in the bible, God asking us not to be afraid.  Yet we doubt.  Yet we tremble.  Yet we hate.  Yet we disobey.  Yet...He waits.  For as long as you live, you have a prayer, there is mercy.  This makes every day a day of mercy.  All we hear is how bad the world is.  Could you be speaking of yourself?  A lady left our parish stating it was "toxic".  Could you be speaking of yourself?  I don't believe anyone is toxic, as I said yesterday to some people "God doesn't make junk".  Yet, we throw away unborn babies, or sell them for parts.  Yet we throw each other under the bus with gossip.  Yet, we throw away what God says, you hit delete after you read this email and delete it from your heart.  The only way it will stick is if you read repeatedly and let God's word soak into your heart.  Some of the best advise I've heard are things like "pretend you are speaking about the person as if they were there, and only speak words to bring them up".  LOL, I've been trying that in my life alot.  One day I spoke about a co-worker, stating he is a hard worker even though it may not seem like it, and a few days ago another co-worker said "but I saw that guy sitting at home!".  I had to defend the guy sitting at home again.  What you see is not what the Lord sees.  What you hear is not what the Lord hears.  What you think is not what the Lord thinks.  Therefore, the Gospel is a call to humility, obedience, and of giving.  Why? Because you are worthy.  "You are worth more than many sparrows" and our Lord takes into account every sparrow.  Do not be fed by anything in the world, or worldly thoughts, but be fed by Jesus, His Holy Spirit, and His Holy Presence in the Holy Eucharist.  The world in my eyes is the same as it has been for thousands of years.  More Christians are being killed, but there are more people.  More fathers in families are not showing their faith, but there is more people that could reach out to them.  There is a cure for an ailment of evil.  I was texting a group to come for healing and prayers last night.  I got a text response from one saying it was a wrong phone number. and it said "Hey I just got this number a few months ago now I hope everything goes well with that but I'm not who you think I am"  I wrote back "Oh sorry".  Then a strange response came back "I'm possessed but thank you".  I immediately wrote back "uh ok? Do you need prayer?"  and from then on out there was no response.  This is the danger.  The man I asked to go get prayed for healing did not show up.  The person I asked if they needed prayer did not respond.  So what did we do?  Pray for them anyways.  This is called giving.  Nothing touches His heart so much as to see us being like Him.  Creative, and loving, and giving.  What's more, the rewards are immediate.  The love of God is instantaneous.  Try it.  Just say it to Him, look to Him in the Blessed Sacrament, look to Him in the sky, look to Him in the people and just say it "God I Love You".  Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Jesus graciously hear us. Christ, be with us, now and at the hour of our death. Then, let our souls be taken, already freely given to you, as of this moment. I am Yours and Yours I wish to be... adrian Subscribe to the Going4th mailing list.

Going4th,