I Now Know Nothing Right now I am being washed clean and wrung out. The fact that I once thought I knew what life was about would make me laugh, if I could laugh. All my former certainties lie exposed. I remember fighting stubbornly to prove myself right about things, and believing that I was right. I recall everything I took for granted. What was that life I was leading? Behind the façade, behind the image of the person I thought myself to be, is there a truth worth knowing? How many things were never seen, never guessed? What have I missed? A small clarity arises. I was not the center, even though it felt that way. I was not the center. The small story of my life was not the point. It left so much unborn. –from the book Stars at Night: When Darkness Unfolds as Light | ✞ "Act as if everyday were the last of your life, and each action the last you perform."
— St. Alphonsus Liguori ✞ MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"People often think of Christian morality as a kind of bargain in which God says, 'If you keep a lot of rules I'll reward you, and if you don't I'll do the other thing.' I do not think that is the best way of looking at it. I would much rather say that every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, all your life long you are slowly turning this central thing either into a heavenly creature or into a hellish creature: either into a creature that is in harmony with God, and with other creatures, and with itself, or else into one that is in a state of war and hatred with God, and with its fellow-creatures, and with itself. To be the one kind of creature is heaven: that is, it is joy and peace and knowledge and power. To be the other means madness, horror, idiocy, rage, impotence, and eternal loneliness. Each of us at this moment is progressing to the one state or the other."
— C. S. Lewis, p. 92
AN EXCERPT FROM
Mere Christianity RECOMMENDED READS ✞ VERSE OF THE DAY
"Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
Hebrews 1:1-3 |  click to read more | | STS. PETER AND PAUL St. Peter and St. Paul (1st c.) were the foremost Apostles of Jesus Christ; St. Peter was the leader of the Twelve, while St. Paul followed Christ after His ascension into heaven. Together the two saints are the founders of the Church in Rome through their apostolic preaching, ministry, and martyrdom in that city. They are the solid rock on which the foundation of the Catholic Church is built, and they will forever remain her protectors and guides. To them Rome owes her true greatness, for it was under God's providential guidance that they transformed the capital of the Roman Empire into the heart of the Church, with the mission to radiate the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world. Both saints were martyred in close proximity to one another; Peter first, then Paul, though some traditions claim they were killed on the same day. St. Peter was crucified upside down and buried on the hill of the Vatican where St. Peter's Basilica now stands. St. Paul was beheaded on the via Ostia and buried where the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls now stands. St. Peter and St. Paul are the patron saints of Rome and they share a feast day on June 29, a tradition going back to the earliest centuries of the Church. | Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Mass during the Day Reading 1 Acts 12:1-11 In those days, King Herod laid hands upon some members of the Church to harm them.
He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword,
and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews
he proceeded to arrest Peter also.
–It was the feast of Unleavened Bread.–
He had him taken into custody and put in prison
under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each.
He intended to bring him before the people after Passover.
Peter thus was being kept in prison,
but prayer by the Church was fervently being made
to God on his behalf. On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial,
Peter, secured by double chains,
was sleeping between two soldiers,
while outside the door guards kept watch on the prison.
Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him
and a light shone in the cell.
He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying,
"Get up quickly."
The chains fell from his wrists.
The angel said to him, "Put on your belt and your sandals."
He did so.
Then he said to him, "Put on your cloak and follow me."
So he followed him out,
not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real;
he thought he was seeing a vision.
They passed the first guard, then the second,
and came to the iron gate leading out to the city,
which opened for them by itself.
They emerged and made their way down an alley,
and suddenly the angel left him.
Then Peter recovered his senses and said,
"Now I know for certain
that the Lord sent his angel
and rescued me from the hand of Herod
and from all that the Jewish people had been expecting." Responsorial Psalm Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. (5) The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him. Reading 2 2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18 I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well; I have finished the race;
I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance. The Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.
And I was rescued from the lion's mouth.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat
and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom.
To him be glory forever and ever. Amen. Alleluia Mt 16:18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 16:13-19 When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter said in reply,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
| Meditation: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18 Saints and Peter and Paul, Apostles (Solemnity) I . . . am already being poured out like a libation. (2 Timothy 4:6) If the apostles were a sports team, Sts. Peter and Paul would be the all-stars. They were strong vocal leaders. They set the direction and lived as vibrant examples of Christ-like disciples: a life poured out in sacrifice as an offering to God. Imperfect though they were, they grew in greatness as they fought the good fight every day and remained faithful witnesses until death. St. Peter met his death upside down on a cross in Rome. St. Paul was beheaded about the same time, also in Rome. The grand martyrdoms of Peter and Paul were the culmination of lives spent as witnesses—the original meaning of the word "martyr"—to the life and truth of Jesus Christ. In that sense, they were martyrs every day—with many little deaths. Peter left his fishing business when Jesus called. He trudged the rocky paths of Galilee and Judea, managed crowds, found food, and learned to love by serving his fellow disciples. Peter put Jesus' directions and needs ahead of his own. He didn't always get it right, but he continued to follow and serve the Lord. Paul, too, offered his career, position, and life's plans to the Lord. Perhaps unwillingly at first, but wholeheartedly at the end. Daily he chose to serve, even when tired, sick, or hurt; in peril of his life; or in prison. He gave up his reputation as one of the brightest Pharisees and staunchest opponents of the Nazarene's sect. He made plans, only to change them at the Spirit's leading. He listened to and obeyed the Lord even when his emotions and intellect objected strenuously. Few of us will be martyred as Peter and Paul were, but every day presents opportunities to die to self, to share the gospel, care for others, and hold fast to our faith. We become closer to Jesus, more holy, and more attractive when we accept our little deaths: closing Facebook to read to a child, turning off the television to read Scripture, risking rejection by offering to pray with someone we know is hurting. Jesus is glorified, and we are conformed to him as we yield to these small martyrdoms. "Jesus, thank you for the opportunities to become more like you today. I trust you to stand with me and strengthen me." Acts 12:1-11
Psalm 34:2-9
Matthew 16:13-19 | my2cents:
We heard the Holy Word:""Put on your belt and your sandals."
He did so. Then he said to him, "Put on your cloak and follow me."
Not even our Lord was delivered in such a way from being in prison. But there is a reason, God's ways are not ours. Our plans are not His...but they should be always. Let us pray again: "The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him. I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the LORD; the lowly will hear me and be glad." The lowly hear Him!? And is His praise always in your mouth? Or did the Eucharist disappear into an abyss? It is the Lord! From the depths He saves. One in our bible study shared last night "I was locked in depression, and nothing nor anyone could get me...but the Lord said to Me "I Am greater". In comes the Lord and our Savior: ""Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And some answered like "well, they say you're like this and like that. That's how it is nowadays too, isn't it? People say they "know the Lord" because of what people say. No.
God is asking something very deep, in the interior life, something more than personal, something...eternal. ""But who do you say that I am?"
What Simon answers becomes the truth in the world, ""You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
These are words that reveal who He is among us. The Son of God, God Himself, the King of the world, the one we are to lay down our lives for. Put down your weapons, let go of your selfish thoughts, put on your towel and prepare to clean feet, and get ready to serve feeding lambs. Because this King is all about serving and dishing out unreserved Love. Because God says right here "I love you" and our response in love should be to Him "I love you too" and then He says, "I love you more!". And it goes on, a love relationship. Jesus our King says to Peter our First Pope "I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." And at the same time the Church gets going, He speaks to us. "Whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven". These words are in line with the Lord's prayer "forgive us as we forgive". Binding. And our relationship grows as we bind ourselves to Him more, like in the Holy Sacraments. Reconciled and fed, bonded, united, these oaths we take we renew upon the Holy Altar.
Now Jesus turns to you. A glance of eternal glory looks straight at you "tell Me, who do you say that I am?"
He doesn't ask "what I am".
He doesn't ask "what others say I am".
He doesn't ask "who do others say I am to them".
No.
He ask WHO am I? Do you know ME?
Some people will see locked gates in Heaven and beat on them in desperation "Lord, Lord! Open up!" And He replies "I do not know you."
It is like this: You've read much about me in these reflections, but if you see me on the street, I may not know who you are. You see, if you've heard much about the Lord and He has not touched you personally, it is a whole other story. If you go just to obey, you've missed the point of obedience. Obedience is for animals, love is for God's children. Why do I go to Holy Mass almost every day of the week? Why do we pray the rosary so much? Just because it's "good"? Because it's good for me? Wrong. It is because I love God, we love God, and we are thankful and depend on Him for everything. Even if I get a little upset, I am starting to pray about it. Peace comes in. The Holy Spirit comes in.
So, who do you say that HE is?
Know Him
Love Him
Serve Him
It is the law of the Lord and for the good of the world....above all | |
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