See for yourselves

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Everywhere I Look Even in the innocence and devotion of my dog, I see a reminder from heaven to stay simple and devout! I call our funny little canine "a smile from heaven" because God uses him to make us laugh every single day, no matter what else is going on in our lives. Everywhere I look, it seems that God is sending me coded messages. St. Francesco Antonio Fasani (1681-1742) 00:00/00:00 Born in Lucera (southeast Italy), Francesco entered the Conventual Franciscans in 1695. After his ordination 10 years later, he taught philosophy to younger friars, served as guardian of his friary and later became provincial. When his term of office ended, Francesco became master of novices and finally pastor in his hometown. In his various ministries, he was loving, devout and penitential. He was a sought-after confessor and preacher. One witness at the canonical hearings regarding Francesco's holiness testified, "In his preaching he spoke in a familiar way, filled as he was with the love of God and neighbor; fired by the Spirit, he made use of the words and deed of Holy Scripture, stirring his listeners and moving them to do penance." Francesco showed himself a loyal friend of the poor, never hesitating to seek from benefactors what was needed. At his death in Lucera, children ran through the streets and cried out, "The saint is dead! The saint is dead!" Francesco was canonized in 1986. Comment: Eventually we become what we choose. If we choose stinginess, we become stingy. If we choose compassion, we become compassionate. The holiness of Francesco Antonio Fasani resulted from his many small decisions to cooperate with God's grace. Quote: During his homily at the canonization of Francesco, Pope John Paul II reflected on John 21:15 in which Jesus asks Peter if he loves Jesus more than the other apostles and then tells Peter, "Feed my lambs." The pope observed that in the final analysis human holiness is decided by love. "He made the love taught us by Christ the fundamental characteristic of his existence, the basic criterion of his thought and activity, the supreme summit of his aspirations" (L'Osservatore Romano, vol. 16, number 3, 1986). Daily Prayer - 2015-11-27 Presence The more we call on God the more we can feel God's presence. Day by day we are drawn closer to the loving heart of God. Freedom Many countries are at this moment suffering the agonies of war. I bow my head in thanksgiving for my freedom. I pray for all prisoners and captives. Consciousness Where do I sense hope, encouragement, and growth areas in my life? By looking back over the last few months, I may be able to see which activities and occasions have produced rich fruit.  If I do notice such areas, I will determine to give those areas both time and space in the future. The Word of God Reading 1DN 7:2-14 In a vision I, Daniel, saw during the night, the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea, from which emerged four immense beasts, each different from the others. The first was like a lion, but with eagle's wings. While I watched, the wings were plucked; it was raised from the ground to stand on two feet like a man, and given a human mind.  The second was like a bear; it was raised up on one side, and among the teeth in its mouth were three tusks. It was given the order, "Up, devour much flesh."  After this I looked and saw another beast, like a leopard; on its back were four wings like those of a bird, and it had four heads. To this beast dominion was given. After this, in the visions of the night I saw the fourth beast, different from all the others, terrifying, horrible, and of extraordinary strength; it had great iron teeth with which it devoured and crushed, and what was left it trampled with its feet. I was considering the ten horns it had, when suddenly another, a little horn, sprang out of their midst, and three of the previous horns were torn away to make room for it. This horn had eyes like a man, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly. As I watched, Thrones were set up  and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was snow bright, and the hair on his head as white as wool; His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. I watched, then, from the first of the arrogant words which the horn spoke, until the beast was slain and its body thrown into the fire to be burnt up. The other beasts, which also lost their dominion, were granted a prolongation of life for a time and a season. As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed. Responsorial PsalmDANIEL 3:75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81 R. Give glory and eternal praise to him! "Mountains and hills, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever." R. Give glory and eternal praise to him! "Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever." R. Give glory and eternal praise to him! "You springs, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever." R. Give glory and eternal praise to him! "Seas and rivers, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever." R. Give glory and eternal praise to him! "You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever." R. Give glory and eternal praise to him! "All you birds of the air, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever." R. Give glory and eternal praise to him! "All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever." R. Give glory and eternal praise to him! AlleluiaLK 21:28 R. Alleluia, alleluia. Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand. R. Alleluia, alleluia. GospelLK 21:29-33 Jesus told his disciples a parable. "Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away,  but my words will not pass away." --- Some thoughts on today's scripture This parable could be used to illustrate part of what we mean today by "discernment". The word is applied to a process of searching for God's will and deciding how to respond to it. Through gospel contemplation we allow ourselves to absorb the attitudes and values of Jesus. These then become the criteria by which we evaluate the situation in which we find ourselves and the particular issue calling for a decision. In a way we are looking for "signs". These will not be cosmic disturbances in the heavens but inner movements of spiritual consolation or desolation. As the liturgical year ends is there anything in my life that I need to discern? If so, I pray that I may recognise the signs and interpret them correctly. Conversation I begin to talk to Jesus about the piece of scripture I have just read. What part of it strikes a chord in me? Perhaps the words of a friend - or some story I have heard recently - will slowly rise to the surface in my consciousness. If so, does the story throw light on what the scripture passage may be trying to say to me? Conclusion I thank God for these few moments we have spent alone together and for any insights I may have been given concerning the text. Daniel 7:2-14 November 27, 2015 34th Week in Ordinary Time I saw One like a son of man. (Daniel 7:13) If you've studied history, you know that the authority held by a monarch is meant to be passed down from one ruler to the next, not taken by force. This transfer of power typically happens in a coronation ceremony. In many cultures, the coronation ceremony reflects the belief that the power to rule comes from God—or at least from a source higher than the people themselves. Here in Daniel, we see the ultimate coronation. The figure of "the son of man" receives "dominion, glory, and kingship" from none other than his heavenly Father (Daniel 7:13, 14). Daniel's author saw this "son of man" as an apocalyptic ruler who would bring justice to the earth. With Spirit-inspired hindsight, we know him as Jesus, who has power over all creation (Ephesians 1:21-22). Contrast Jesus' power with that of the four beasts that preceded him in Daniel's vision. These four animals signified the empires of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. In spite of their great might, these dynasties eventually crumbled. Like many governments, they fell because their rulers became greedy and tyrannical, caring more about their influence than about their subjects. Clearly, that's not how Jesus rules his people! What about us? We are "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:17). That means we share in Jesus' authority; we can build his kingdom here on earth! It's a high calling, and with it comes a high dignity. Filled with the power of the Spirit, we can do even greater things than Jesus himself did (John 14:12)! Today and every day, remember who you are in Christ. United with him, you can be an agent of change in your family, workplace, and community. You have the mind of Christ, so you can bring wisdom where there is confusion and comfort where there is anxiety. You have the anointing of Christ, so you can bring healing, love, and mercy where there is hatred and division. Put yourself in his hands today, and call on his power to help you live a life pleasing to him. Then you will become a sign that "the Kingdom of God is near" (Luke 21:31). "Lord, thank you that you have made me a little lower than the angels! May I never forget that I carry your name. Help me to shine your light into every situation." (Psalm) Daniel 3:75-81 Luke 21:29-33 My2cents: Everyone and everything will pass away but not our Lord our Father in Heaven. As I sit here out of town with family I listen to the children speak and at one point one child said to another that the Tooth Fairy is real earlier I heard them speaking about other things that are real question is what do you believe is real? In today's first Holy Scripture we read about fantastical creatures symbolism of creations of our Lord weather Kingdoms or individuals we are speaking about the kingdom of the individuals and the King thereof. As the children spoke the truth in my mind was reeling; the tooth fairy is the mom, Santa Claus is the mom, the Easter bunny is the mom, all 3 in one.  At work, I am the safety man, I am a sales man, and I am the computer tech, i am the costs estimator I am the general manager, and I am also my father is the boss.  I am many things in one, but most importantly the son of the Father.  No one has ever seen the face of God, but many have seen the face of the Son.  And even easier it is to see the Holy Spirit.  His Kingdom has been established and evil destroyed upon the coming of the son.  He is many in one, we are many in one.  His disguise is good, because He appears as many in one. Give glory and eternal praise to Him all creations. If mountains and animals listen to God, then who am I to pretend He is not reaching to me, all those made in His image? Our Lord speaks "... know that the kingdom of God is near".  Nearer than your friends. Nearer than your family. Nearer than yourself. His kingdom is not far.  We put distance between ourselves...and still He is near...in all creation.  I ask you to consider the brevity of time, because the time is near, and He is in time and in eternity. Eternity can not be measured.  We can not measure our Lord.  Stop trying. Stop trying to figure Him out. Start allowing HIM to be who He is...yours. Your Father. YOUR KING. Your life. Your everything. Because He can be all things in one. He can be yesterday and tomorrow  but is still in the present with you. He can be though so much more. More than you can imagine and more than you care.  That is a truth. Because we claimed to love and not really care.  Salvation we should desire for one another yet it often takes second place to so called life.  I'm very thankful that God is like us but not one of us because He is much more. He does care. And that's all I need to know. Now I can allow myself, we can allow ourselves to love Him as He is...an awesome lover and savior we call Our Father...forever. Adrian Subscribe to the visit Going4th.com mailing list.

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