Go Your Way

Minute Meditations United With Jesus It's through suffering that we grow in endurance, character, and ultimately, in hope. Our suffering is not without value if we know Jesus. When you are suffering, you can pray and unite your sufferings to the only one who truly loves you perfectly or knows all you are feeling. — from Ask The Bible Geek Venerable Pierre Toussaint (1766-1853) Born in modern-day Haiti and brought to New York City as a slave, Pierre died a free man, a renowned hairdresser and one of New York City's most well-known Catholics. Pierre Bérard, a plantation owner, made Toussaint a house slave and allowed his grandmother to teach her grandson how to read and write. In his early 20s, Pierre, his younger sister, his aunt and two other house slaves accompanied their master's son to New York City because of political unrest at home. Apprenticed to a local hairdresser, Pierre learned the trade quickly and eventually worked very successfully in the homes of rich women in New York City. When his master died, Pierre was determined to support his master's widow, himself and the other house slaves. He was freed shortly before the widow's death in 1807. Four years later he married Marie Rose Juliette, whose freedom he had purchased. They later adopted Euphémie, his orphaned niece. Both preceded him in death. He attended daily Mass at St. Peter's Church on Barclay Street, the same parish that St. Elizabeth Seton attended. Pierre donated to various charities, generously assisting blacks and whites in need. He and his wife opened their home to orphans and educated them. The couple also nursed abandoned people who were suffering from yellow fever. Urged to retire and enjoy the wealth he had accumulated, Pierre responded, "I have enough for myself, but if I stop working I have not enough for others." He was originally buried outside St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, where he was once refused entrance because of his race. His sanctity and the popular devotion to him caused his body to be moved to St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue. Pierre Toussaint was declared Venerable in 1996. Comment: Pierre was internally free long before he was legally free. Refusing to become bitter, he daily chose to cooperate with God's grace, eventually becoming a compelling sign of God's wildly generous love. Quote: Emma Cary, one of Pierre's customers, said: "His life was so perfect, and he explained the teaching of the Church with a simplicity so intelligent and courageous that everyone honored him as a Catholic. He would explain the devotion to the Mother of God with the utmost clearness, or show the union of the natural and supernatural gifts in the priest."   Saint of the Day Lives, Lessons and Feast By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.    Daily Prayer - 2015-05-28 Presence Dear Jesus, as I call on you today I realise that I often come asking for favours. Today I'd like just to be in your presence. Let my heart respond to Your Love. Freedom Everything has the potential to draw forth from me a fuller love and life. Yet my desires are often fixed, caught, on illusions of fulfillment. I ask that God, through my freedom may orchestrate my desires in a vibrant loving melody rich in harmony. Consciousness I ask how I am within myself today? Am I particularly tired, stressed, or off-form? If any of these characteristics apply, can I try to let go of the concerns that disturb me? The Word of God   Reading 1 Sir 42:15-25 Now will I recall God's works; what I have seen, I will describe. At God's word were his works brought into being; they do his will as he has ordained for them. As the rising sun is clear to all, so the glory of the LORD fills all his works; Yet even God's holy ones must fail in recounting the wonders of the LORD, Though God has given these, his hosts, the strength to stand firm before his glory. He plumbs the depths and penetrates the heart; their innermost being he understands. The Most High possesses all knowledge, and sees from of old the things that are to come: He makes known the past and the future, and reveals the deepest secrets. No understanding does he lack; no single thing escapes him. Perennial is his almighty wisdom; he is from all eternity one and the same, With nothing added, nothing taken away; no need of a counselor for him! How beautiful are all his works! even to the spark and fleeting vision! The universe lives and abides forever; to meet each need, each creature is preserved. All of them differ, one from another, yet none of them has he made in vain, For each in turn, as it comes, is good; can one ever see enough of their splendor? Responsorial Psalm PS 33:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 R. (6a) By the word of the Lord the heavens were made. Give thanks to the LORD on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. Sing to him a new song; pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness. R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made. For upright is the word of the LORD and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full. R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made. By the word of the LORD the heavens were made; by the breath of his mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as in a flask; in cellars he confines the deep. R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made. Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all who dwell in the world revere him. For he spoke, and it was made; he commanded, and it stood forth. R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made. Alleluia Jn 8:12 R. Alleluia, alleluia. I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 10:46-52 As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, son of David, have pity on me." And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, "Son of David, have pity on me." Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you." He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see." Jesus told him, 'Go your way; your faith has saved you." Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.     Listen to audio of this reading     Watch a video reflection Some thoughts on today's scripture   Mark has heard this story from St Peter, whom he accompanied, so the scene is vivid. I imagine the margin of the dirt road on which Jesus is walking. There sits the blind beggar Bartimaeus, a symbol of all the marginalized. Some of the bystanders scold him for making a fuss. Others pick up the quick response of Jesus and encourage Bartimaeus: 'Take heart, get up, he is calling you'. What are my reactions? What do I want Jesus to do for me?  Conversation Remembering 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. 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: Mark 10:46-52 View NAB Reading at USCCB.org Subscriber? Login to view archives. 8th Week in Ordinary Time What do you want me to do for you? (Mark 10:51) As Jesus leaves the city of Jericho, people are crowding around him, each one hoping to bend the Master's ear to their specific needs. Yet in the midst of that clamor, Jesus hears the voice of Bartimaeus and stops. He calls him over and listens attentively to the blind man's petition. Then Jesus heals him. Miraculous! As you're reading this, you can be certain there's an enormous crowd around the globe praying, interceding, and worshipping before the Lord. But no matter how many voices, no matter how loud the entreaties, your voice has caught Jesus' ear, and he is giving you his full, undivided attention. Listen as he asks you, "What do you want me to do for you?" Lord, I know you love me. But sometimes I can be so hard on myself that it's difficult to accept this free love. I feel unworthy. Lord, I want to receive. Don't worry. I am not disappointed in you, so why should you be? I am shining the light of my love upon you right now. Don't shy away from it. Try to open yourself to it so that you can find your rest here. Become a child again, and just enjoy me as I pour my affection on you. Lord, I need your help to care for those I love most: my family. Make me into a channel of your love within my home. Every time you encounter a member of your family, look to me, and you will discover special grace for that encounter. I will give you the kindness you need and inspire you with ideas that can help bring you together. As you serve your family, remember to care for yourself by creating time spent alone with me. Lord, there are paths laid out in front of me, but I don't know which one to take. I need your guidance. Seek me persistently over these next days and weeks. Listen as your friends speak wisdom into your life. Look for my nudges. Watch for me to speak to you through the Scriptures. I will answer you as you yield to me in obedience. Then, in your good conscience, pursue the path, and I will be with you. "Hear my prayer, Lord. In your faithfulness, answer me."   Sirach 42:15-25; Psalm 33:2-9   going4th-20150528080522.mp3 my2cents:   From today's 1st holy Scripture we read "At God's word were his works brought into being".  We discussed this last night at our co-worker bible study, even though these were not the scriptures.  Interesting.  One brother said that God's word continues, speaking on to us, now is it being fulfilled?  His commands?   And we continue to read the Holy Psalms " By the word of the Lord the heavens were made. For upright is the word of the LORD".  Who has that kind of power, that just by saying it, it comes to be? In comes our Lord in the Holy Gospel.  Jesus hears the cries of a blind man.  While the people had been telling Bart to hush, Bart persisted.  I want you to learn of this in your faith.  Persist, do not ever give up, for the Lord will eventually listen to persistence.  Such is the tenacity of the Catholic Church, persistent in prayers and supplications.  As I was walking into work, a thought hit me as I got off my truck, "it's like the Lord is reaching others through us, and the call will not reach, when we do not do".  Because today, our Lord said to the people "call him".  If they did not do what the Lord said, there would've been no salvation through God's manifestation turned revelation.  In other words, we must do what He says...this is key.  His word must not return fruitless.  Now, let us see what happens when we listen.  " they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you."  Psshhh! AWESOME!  They encouraged poor Bart who was being silenced, quite the opposite now, all because of his tenacity, persistence, and also, because Jesus cares.  Listen.  Irksome folks need Jesus.  And so Jesus asks what Bart wants.  Bart answers "Master, I Want TO SEE!".  "Go your way; your faith has saved you.", says our Lord and our Master.  As if to say "have it your way, according to your faith.  We spoke about this last night.  To the degree of our faith we will be granted.  To the degree that we forgive, we will be forgiven.  Have it your way.  Such is the motto then of our lives on earth, as if the Lord gives total freedom to choose, "have it your way".  But you know what?  I like it when our Lord cheats and has it His way.  He calls without being bothered. I want you to be silent, hush Bart!  But only for an instance, because I want your prayers to become real, go inward and out.  Let your call be really heard...faith.  And what are you praying for?  The number one thing I pray for is everyone's faith.  When I look into the souls of God's children, I want them to live forever.  And so I become a slave..with a Divine Master.  I'm truly free when I'm truly His.  Anything else is slavery to death.  And so, Bart sees for the first time, and standing in front of him is Jesus.  Such is what happens at the breaking of the bread, the Holy Eucharist.  The blind with faith will see.  And you will follow.  You will fall in love.  Because our Lord had been asking for this the whole time when He granted the freedom to have it your way...   adrian Subscribe to the Going4th mailing list. http://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HS46Gr6s

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