The Pardon Prayer My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love You! I beg pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love You. The words of this prayer given to the young visionaries of Fatima may seem simple. But the words outline our responsibilities as Christians—to believe, to adore, to hope, and to love God. As well, to ask pardon for those who do not act in this way. And further, to beg pardon for them. We should make reparation for their sins too. –from the book Our Lady of Fatima: 100 Years of Stories, Prayers, and Devotions | ✞ "When you awake in the night, transport yourself quickly in spirit before the Tabernacle, saying: 'Behold, my God, I come to adore You, to praise, thank, and love you, and to keep you company with all the Angels.'" — St. John Vianney ✞ MEDITATION OF THE DAY "My Lord, I offer you myself in turn as a sacrifice of thanksgiving. You have died for me, and I in turn make myself over to you. I am not my own. You have bought me; I will by my own act and deed complete the purchase. My wish is to be separated from everything of this world; to cleanse myself simply from sin; to put away from me even what is innocent, if used for its own sake, and not for yours. I put away reputation and honor, and influence, and power, for my praise and strength shall be in you. Enable me to carry out what I profess." — Bl. John Henry Newman, p. 135 AN EXCERPT FROM Everyday Meditations ✞ VERSE OF THE DAY "Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Save me, O Lord, from my enemies; I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good spirit lead me on a level path. For your name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life. In your righteousness bring me out of trouble. In your steadfast love cut off my enemies, and destroy all my adversaries, for I am your servant." Psalm 143: 8-12 | click to read more | | Saint Justin Martyr Saint of the Day for June 1 (c. 100 – 165) Justin never ended his quest for religious truth even when he converted to Christianity after years of studying various pagan philosophies. As a young man, he was principally attracted to the school of Plato. However, he found that the Christian religion answered the great questions about life and existence better than the philosophers. Upon his conversion he continued to wear the philosopher's mantle, and became the first Christian philosopher. He combined the Christian religion with the best elements in Greek philosophy. In his view, philosophy was a pedagogue of Christ, an educator that was to lead one to Christ. Justin is known as an apologist, one who defends in writing the Christian religion against the attacks and misunderstandings of the pagans. Two of his so-called apologies have come down to us; they are addressed to the Roman emperor and to the Senate. For his staunch adherence to the Christian religion, Justin was beheaded in Rome in 165. Reflection As patron of philosophers, Justin may inspire us to use our natural powers–especially our power to know and understand–in the service of Christ, and to build up the Christian life within us. Since we are prone to error, especially in reference to the deep questions concerning life and existence, we should also be willing to correct and check our natural thinking in light of religious truth. Thus we will be able to say with the learned | Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr Reading 1 Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 Wishing to determine the truth about why Paul was being accused by the Jews, the commander freed him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to convene. Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before them. Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees, so he called out before the Sanhedrin, "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees; I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead." When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the group became divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, while the Pharisees acknowledge all three. A great uproar occurred, and some scribes belonging to the Pharisee party stood up and sharply argued, "We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" The dispute was so serious that the commander, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, ordered his troops to go down and rescue Paul from their midst and take him into the compound. The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome." Responsorial Psalm Ps 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 R. (1) Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope. or: R. Alleluia. Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you." O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope. or: R. Alleluia. I bless the LORD who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope. or: R. Alleluia. Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope. or: R. Alleluia. You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope. or: R. Alleluia. Alleluia Jn 17:21 R. Alleluia, alleluia. May they all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that the world may believe that you sent me, says the Lord. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 17:20-26 Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: "I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them." | Meditation: John 17:20-26 Saint Justin, Martyr (Memorial) That they may all be one. (John 17:21) How can so many different people become united? Not even one person is the same as another. There's the tattoo-covered teenager down the street, the atheist coworker, even the Christian relative from a different denomination. How can Jesus possibly expect us to be one with all the "others" in our midst? By the power of the Holy Spirit, that's how. One of the Spirit's greatest works is to create unity. Think, on a cosmic scale, of how he brought together heaven and earth, God and humanity, through the cross of Christ. Recall too how he brought together Pharisees and tax collectors, Gentiles and Jews, centurions and fishermen, into one Church in Jerusalem. Prejudices and fears melted away as the Spirit touched people's hearts and showed them how magnificent life could be if they all came together in Christ. Does unity mean everyone is identical? No! God created us as unique individuals, each with the ability to glorify him in our own way. He doesn't want us to be all the same; he wants us to put off the temptation to separate from those who are different from us and to treat them as unequal. On the contrary, he wants us to see how we belong to each other and how we are all loved and treasured by our heavenly Father. Becoming one with the 6.5 billion people on our planet is unrealistic. But we can focus on becoming one with the people we see every day, especially our spouse or children. Today is a good day to come to the Lord in prayer and ask him to show us how we think about people who are different from us. A few specific groups or individuals might come to mind. Do you sense any judgment or envy in your thoughts toward them? Ask the Spirit to replace those thoughts with love. Love doesn't push away; it draws near and seeks to break down barriers. "Holy Spirit, teach me how to join in the prayer of Jesus. Lord, make us all one!" Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11 | my2cents: ".... the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage" And Saint Paul goes forth. We prayed today "Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope...Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence" and this is worth mentioning, simply because it is the truth. We must do what our bodies do not want...pray, spend time with the Lord...Holiness! We heard our Lord speak today "Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me...". Is there not a single word our Lord the Word says that does not taste so good? These are words of everlasting life! These are words of everlasting Love! The gift of life, the gift of lives, Jesus loves, adores. How can we not love and adore Him? This is why we are to celebrate Pentecost...the fire of His love! So that we will remain. So that we will be able to go out into the world we live, with our loved ones and beyond, Jesus loves you! Look what He did! He poured out His blood, and now pours out His SPIRIT. You got the Spirit? If not, ask, and you WILL RECEIVE! | adrian get Novena reminders at http://www.praymorenovenas.com/novenas/ Novena to the Holy Spirit Day 7 Gentleness Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate. Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus' name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar's heart for Your gift of Gentleness within us. Despite the gravity of our sins, oh Lord you treat us with Gentleness. Dear Holy Spirit, give us your power to treat all in our lives with the Gentleness of the Saints. Amen. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ Our Lord, Amen. Find the Original Here: http://www.praymorenovenas.com/novena-to-the-holy-spirit/#ixzz4ikuyRsMy Find the Original Here: http://www.praymorenovenas.com/novena-to-the-holy-spirit/#ixzz4iTeUKtPU | |