| May His Will Be Done The heart of our prayer of petition must be what Jesus told us to pray in the Our Father: Your will be done. We should want what  | | | May His Will Be Done The heart of our prayer of petition must be what Jesus told us to pray in the Our Father: Your will be done. We should want what He wants, knowing that His will is "good and pleasing and perfect" (Romans 12:2). -from A 40-Day Spiritual Workout for Catholics |
† "Let each of us accept the truth of the following statement and try to make it our most fundamental principle: Christ's teaching will never let us down, while worldly wisdom always will. Christ Himself said that this sort of wisdom was like a house with nothing but sand as its foundation, while His own was like a building with solid rock as its foundation."
— St. Vincent de Paul ✞MEDITATION OF THE DAY✞ "Christians long ago concluded that each individual human being has his or her own particular guardian angel. Though the Church has never defined the teaching about individual guardian angels, the Catechism of the Catholic Church sums up the matter this way, quoting St. Basil: 'From infancy to death human life is surrounded by [the angels'] watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life'. In this light, we can turn to our guardian angels for help in spiritual warfare, especially to resist the temptations of the Enemy. Yet angels are more than guardians; they are also warriors."
— Paul Thigpen, p. 30
AN EXCERPT FROM
Manual for Spiritual Warfare |
 Franciscan Media |
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Saint André Bessette
Saint of the Day for January 6
( August 9, 1845 – January 6, 1937) Saint André Bessette's Story Brother André expressed a saint's faith by a lifelong devotion to Saint Joseph. Sickness and weakness dogged André from birth. He was the eighth of 12 children born to a French Canadian couple near Montreal. Adopted at 12, when both parents had died, he became a farmhand. Various trades followed: shoemaker, baker, blacksmith—all failures. He was a factory worker in the United States during the boom times of the Civil War. At 25, André applied for entrance into the Congregation of the Holy Cross. After a year's novitiate, he was not admitted because of his weak health. But with an extension and the urging of Bishop Bourget, he was finally received. He was given the humble job of doorkeeper at Notre Dame College in Montreal, with additional duties as sacristan, laundry worker and messenger. "When I joined this community, the superiors showed me the door, and I remained 40 years," he said. In his little room near the door, he spent much of the night on his knees. On his windowsill, facing Mount Royal, was a small statue of Saint Joseph, to whom he had been devoted since childhood. When asked about it he said, "Some day, Saint Joseph is going to be honored in a very special way on Mount Royal!" When he heard someone was ill, he visited to bring cheer and to pray with the sick person. He would rub the sick person lightly with oil taken from a lamp burning in the college chapel. Word of healing powers began to spread. When an epidemic broke out at a nearby college, André volunteered to nurse. Not one person died. The trickle of sick people to his door became a flood. His superiors were uneasy; diocesan authorities were suspicious; doctors called him a quack. "I do not cure," he said again and again. "Saint Joseph cures." In the end he needed four secretaries to handle the 80,000 letters he received each year. For many years the Holy Cross authorities had tried to buy land on Mount Royal. Brother André and others climbed the steep hill and planted medals of Saint Joseph. Suddenly, the owners yielded. André collected $200 to build a small chapel and began receiving visitors there—smiling through long hours of listening, applying Saint Joseph's oil. Some were cured, some not. The pile of crutches, canes and braces grew. The chapel also grew. By 1931, there were gleaming walls, but money ran out. "Put a statue of Saint Joseph in the middle. If he wants a roof over his head, he'll get it." The magnificent Oratory on Mount Royal took 50 years to build. The sickly boy who could not hold a job died at 92. He is buried at the Oratory. He was beatified in 1982 and canonized in 2010. At his canonization in October 2010, Pope Benedict XVI said that Saint Andre "lived the beatitude of the pure of heart."
Reflection Rubbing ailing limbs with oil or a medal? Planting a medal to buy land? Isn't this superstition? Aren't we long past that? Superstitious people rely only on the "magic" of a word or action. Brother André's oil and medals were authentic sacramentals of a simple, total faith in the Father who lets his saints help him bless his children. |
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Christmas Weekday ▪ Today we remember St. Andre Bessette, a Canadian monk who used "sacramentals" (blessings or blessed objects) such as blessed oil and holy A photo for st. Andre Bessette. CNS image.medals dedicated to St. Joseph when he prayed. Sacramentals help prepare us to receive God's grace. Can you identify any sacramentals that help you in your life?
▪ Of St Andre Bessette, Pope Benedict XVI said: "For him, believing meant submitting freely and through love to the divine will. Wholly inhabited by the mystery of Jesus, he lived the beatitude of pure of heart, that of personal rectitude." Pope Benedict XVI, Canonization Mass of New Saints. . . , October 17, 2010
▪ Today is also the traditional date of Epiphany, the 12th Day of Christmas (as counted from December 26th) and the feast of the Three Kings in Spanish speaking communities.
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Sacred Space
Daily Prayer - 2017-01-06 Presence Dear Lord as I come to you today
Fill my heart and my whole being
with the wonder of Your presence Freedom Guide me always to do your holy will
knowing that your strength will
carry me through. Consciousness Knowing that God loves me unconditionally,
I look honestly over the last day, its events and my feelings.
Do I have something to be grateful for? Then I give thanks.
Is there something I am sorry for? Then I ask forgiveness. The Word of God Christmas Weekday
readings audio Reading 1 1 Jn 5:5-13 Beloved:
Who indeed is the victor over the world
but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is the one who came through water and Blood, Jesus Christ,
not by water alone, but by water and Blood.
The Spirit is the one who testifies,
and the Spirit is truth.
So there are three that testify,
the Spirit, the water, and the Blood,
and the three are of one accord.
If we accept human testimony,
the testimony of God is surely greater.
Now the testimony of God is this,
that he has testified on behalf of his Son.
Whoever believes in the Son of God
has this testimony within himself.
Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar
by not believing the testimony God has given about his Son.
And this is the testimony:
God gave us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son.
Whoever possesses the Son has life;
whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you so that you may know
that you have eternal life,
you who believe in the name of the Son of God. Responsorial Psalm PS 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 R. (12a) Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you. R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has granted peace in your borders;
with the best of wheat he fills you.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word! R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia. R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia. Alleluia MK 9:6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:
This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 1:7-11 This is what John the Baptist proclaimed:
"One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee
and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open
and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens,
"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Some thoughts on today's scripture ▪ The story told in today's Gospel is about people being called to follow their star in order to find the fullness of life only Jesus can give. "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). You may not have thought much about what is the nature of the star you follow. With a view to clarifying this it may be worthwhile to ask yourself what you want for your children, your family or for your friends.
▪ Having done this you might talk to Jesus about whether this is what he wants for you, the star he wishes you to follow.
Conversation Begin to talk to Jesus about the piece of scripture you have just read.
What part of it strikes a chord in you?
Perhaps the words of a friend - or some story you have heard recently -
will slowly rise to the surface of your consciousness.
If so, does the story throw light on what the scripture passage may be trying to say to you? 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. |
wau.org
Catholic Meditations
Meditation: 1 John 5:5-13 Saint André Bessette, Religious (Optional Memorial) Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (I John 5:5) The caretaker of a large estate felt very important when he was given a key ring filled with the keys to each building on the property. However, he was soon put in his place. He discovered that the estate owner carried only one key—the master key that could open every door. John tells us faith is the master key to the spiritual life. If we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, we can open any door that takes us deeper into our life with him—not because of the "keys" we possess like our own intelligence or courage, but because we are trusting in who Jesus is. So how do we use this "master key" to open any door? Let's look at a few examples. One door may be the door of joy. You can open that door by believing that Jesus has redeemed you from every sin, every judgment, and all condemnation. Just as he said to the woman caught in adultery, he says to you, "Neither do I condemn you" (John 8:11). Imagine how it feels to have the burden of guilt lifted off of you—that's joy! Another door may be the door of mercy—the grace to forgive someone who has hurt you. You can open that door by believing that Jesus is the Lamb of God (John 1:29). Not only has he taken away your sins, but he also has taken away the sins that other people have committed against you. Cry out to him, and ask him to soften your heart. A third door may be the door of peace. We can become so anxious about a family member who has made poor choices that we end up feeling paralyzed and helpless. Open that door by believing that Jesus is the good shepherd who seeks and saves his lost sheep (John 10:11). In faith, hand this person over to Jesus, and ask him to lead them home. No door is too heavy for you to open. No door has a "Do Not Enter" sign on it. Like the estate owner, you have the key to open them all. Let that truth sink in, and let it strengthen your faith. "Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of faith. Lord, I believe in you!" Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20
Mark 1:7-11 |
audio of 2cents my2cents:
Christianity is victorious, both in the past, the present, and in the future, in the end, the Christ is victory. Why then the defeated faces in the world? "Who indeed is the victor over the world
but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" Where is the joy we sing about and talk about? Be joyful. Today in Mexico they are just now beginning to distribute gifts in remembrance of the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus. Yet, were they for Him or for His parents? You see, the same is the gifts of Sacraments to a child. God gives an amazing gift. And it is in the parents' hands. What do we do with this child of God? Like the holy family, we hold the gifts to use for the child, for the presentation, the baptism, the sacramentals in confirmation, our pentecost, and the incense in offerings of prayer, every day the Holy Spirit wants us to use these gifts to lead the children of God. Lead them on your knees, like today's saint, reaching out by being open. We pray "Praise the Lord, Jerusalem." and "Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you" Bless your children, your spiritual children, because we are dealing with the Spirit, the water, and the blood, because if they are baptized they are God's children too, lead them, take care of them...and how many times do I see people, strangers and I see them as my children? I see it often...it is God's children. Listen to Our Father ""You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
I AM pleased that you are my Son;
I AM pleased that you were made in My image.
I AM pleased that you have been brought forth in baptism.
I AM pleased and I am letting the world know with My own voice.
I AM pleased to introduce you MYself.
I AM pleased to introduce you to Heaven.
I AM pleased to bestow the greatest gift.
I AM pleased, to be served and loved.
I AM pleased to send my servant Self and selfless Love. The Great I AM speaks. The Heavens open up and the I AM speaks. Who heard the voice? Everyone. Every person can hear His voice that is present. Present yourself as a present, a gift to God. This is a sacrificial offering on the altar. Did you think you were marrying your spouse on that altar? It was GOD. Did you think you were just receiving God in your mouth in the Eucharist? IT IS GOD coming to accept your offering. Did you think that in Baptism you were presented to God? It was GOD requesting you in His Kingdom, taking what is rightly His. You see, the Victor is at work. The Victor has battled. The Victor has accomplished. In the end, things don't work like we think. They are a progression with or without our effort. Love is found beyond the bible, beyond our feeble minds and feelings. I read John 5:39 "You search* the scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf.c 40But you do not want to come to me to have life. " Life is now. Life is not yesterday or tomorrow, it is NOW. God in Heaven is the forever NOW. NOW is the time of offering. NOW is the time of effort in presentations. Now is the Lord reaching deep inside our hearts, so we can reach deep in the hearts of HIS beloved children. You are setting the example. No matter your age, you are the hope of Christ. You are the face of Christ.
WE are the Body of CHRIST |
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