In the Image of God Even though one may not be able to halt the race toward death, one must nevertheless choose life, and the things that favor life. This means respect for every living thing, but especially for every man made in the image of God. Respect for man even in his blindness and in his confusion, even when he may do evil. For we must see that the meaning of man has been totally changed by the Crucifixion: every man is Christ on the Cross, whether he realizes it or not. But we must learn to realize it. —from The Art of Thomas Merton: A Divine Passion in Word and Vision franciscan media | ✞Quote
"The bread you store up belongs to the hungry; the cloak that lies in your chest belongs to the naked; the gold you have hidden in the ground belongs to the poor."
— St. Basil the Great ✞ MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"We must cultivate that sacred silence which makes people remember the words of Jesus: See how they love one another. How often we find ourselves speaking of the faults of another. How often our conversation is about someone who is not present. Yet see the compassion of Christ toward Judas, the man who received so much love yet betrayed his own master. But the master kept the sacred silence and did not betray Judas. Jesus could have easily spoken in public—as we often do—telling the hidden intentions and deeds of Judas to others. But he didn't. Instead, he showed mercy and charity. Rather than condemning Judas, he called him his friend."
— St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, p. 41
AN EXCERPT FROM
Thirsting for God: Mother Teresa ✞ VERSE OF THE DAY
"Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God."
1 Corinthians 4:5 |  click to read more | | Saint Gianna Beretta Molla (October 4, 1922 – April 28, 1962) In less than 40 years, Gianna Beretta Molla became a pediatric physician, a wife, a mother and a saint! She was born in Magenta near Milano, the 10th of Alberto and Maria Beretta's 13 children. An active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and a leader in the Catholic Action movement, Gianna also enjoyed skiing and mountain climbing. She earned degrees in medicine and surgery from the University of Pavia, eventually specializing in pediatrics. In 1952, Gianna opened a clinic in the small town of Mesero, where she met engineer Pietro Molla. Shortly before their 1955 marriage, Gianna wrote to Pietro: "Love is the most beautiful sentiment that the Lord has put into the soul of men and women." In the next four years the Mollas had three children: Pierluigi, Mariolina, and Laura. Two pregnancies following ended in miscarriage. Early in her sixth pregnancy, doctors discovered that Gianna had both a child and a tumor in her uterus. She allowed the surgeons to remove the tumor but not to perform the complete hysterectomy that they recommended, which would have killed the child. Seven months later in April 1962, Gianna Emanuela Molla was born at the hospital in Monza, but post-operative complications resulted in an infection for her mother. The following week, Gianna Molla died at home in Mesero, where she was buried. Gianna Emanuela went on to become a physician herself. Gianna Beretta Molla was beatified in 1994 and canonized 10 years later. Her Liturgical Feast Day is April 28. Reflection
With great faith and courage, Gianna Molla made the choice that enabled her daughter to be born. We can often wish that we were in different circumstances, but holiness frequently comes from making difficult choices in bad situations. | Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
Lectionary: 276 Reading 1 ACTS 8:26-40 The angel of the Lord spoke to Philip,
"Get up and head south on the road
that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, the desert route."
So he got up and set out.
Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch,
a court official of the Candace,
that is, the queen of the Ethiopians,
in charge of her entire treasury,
who had come to Jerusalem to worship, and was returning home.
Seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah.
The Spirit said to Philip,
"Go and join up with that chariot."
Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said,
"Do you understand what you are reading?"
He replied,
"How can I, unless someone instructs me?"
So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him.
This was the Scripture passage he was reading: Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who will tell of his posterity?
For his life is taken from the earth. Then the eunuch said to Philip in reply,
"I beg you, about whom is the prophet saying this?
About himself, or about someone else?"
Then Philip opened his mouth and, beginning with this Scripture passage,
he proclaimed Jesus to him.
As they traveled along the road
they came to some water,
and the eunuch said, "Look, there is water.
What is to prevent my being baptized?"
Then he ordered the chariot to stop,
and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water,
and he baptized him.
When they came out of the water,
the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away,
and the eunuch saw him no more,
but continued on his way rejoicing.
Philip came to Azotus, and went about proclaiming the good news
to all the towns until he reached Caesarea. Responsorial Psalm PS 66:8-9, 16-17, 20
R. (1) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Bless our God, you peoples,
loudly sound his praise;
He has given life to our souls,
and has not let our feet slip.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare
what he has done for me.
When I appealed to him in words,
praise was on the tip of my tongue.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed be God who refused me not
my prayer or his kindness!
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia. Alleluia JN 6:51
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven,
says the Lord;
whoever eats this bread will live forever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel JN 6:44-51 Jesus said to the crowds:
"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him,
and I will raise him on the last day.
It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God. Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me.
Not that anyone has seen the Father
except the one who is from God;
he has seen the Father.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes has eternal life.
I am the bread of life.
Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;
this is the bread that comes down from heaven
so that one may eat it and not die.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven;
whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will give
is my Flesh for the life of the world." | Meditation: Acts 8:26-40 Do you understand what you are reading? (Acts 8:30) Notice how Philip starts his conversation: with a question. That leads the Ethiopian official to respond with a question of his own. Soon enough, a natural conversation begins, and Philip is telling this fellow about Jesus. Something had been stirring beneath the surface, and Philip's one innocent question opened the floodgates of grace. If only it were that simple, we may think. Sharing about our faith can feel intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. It can start with asking one friendly question. As he did for Philip, God goes ahead of us, sight unseen. He prepares people's hearts by prompting the kinds of questions the Ethiopian official was undoubtedly asking. Our job, then, is to connect with them so that God can use us. How? Like Philip, we can care, ask, and listen. First, care: Philip was ready to go wherever God led him to share the good news of Jesus. You may not receive visions directing you as Philip did, but the Spirit can help you notice the people God sends into your path. He can help you care about them and find the time to make contact with them. Even if it's just by smiling and looking them in the eye, you are telling them that they matter to you. And that can make a world of difference. Next, ask: Just ask a question. Many people live isolated lives. They may be delighted when you take an interest in them, their family, their concerns. You can find out what is going on in their heart. Remember, you're not the only one who likes to talk about himself; everyone does! Finally, listen: Don't try to convince; just try to connect. Listen to what they have to say. Your job isn't to persuade them; it's to walk beside them on the way to their own encounter with Jesus. Many lasting relationships—and conversions—have begun over friendly conversations about God. Talking about God doesn't have to be complicated. Start small: care, ask, and listen. As he did with Philip, the Holy Spirit will give you opportunities to share your faith—at just the right time. "Lord, help me to open my mouth, but first, help me to open my heart to care and my ears to listen. Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20
John 6:44-51 | my2cents:
""Do you understand what you are reading?" Since the bible began to get printed and millions and millions of bibles get printed, many read them, and do not understand them. I asked a guy that owns a shop, "let's go to bible study", he said basically "I'm good, I got the bible right here and I already read it". DOH! How can you understand the bible? Not even bible scholars and theologians can rightfully say they fully understand it. There are way too many questions about it. Too many unknowns. Do you really understand what you are reading? It is about GOD! The greatest unknown! Let us pray to this awesome God! "Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Bless our God, you peoples, loudly sound his praise; He has given life to our souls, and has not let our feet slip." He has given what? LIFE! Life to our SOULS! What if there is something even deeper than a soul? A greater unknown? In comes the great unknown God: JESUS: " Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. " Sadly, most do not fully trust/believe in Jesus. We don't know what this means. To be fully immersed is to fully take this cup, this chalice. this communion, our union with our common...God, the eternity that no one has seen except Jesus. "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world." Why, would we need a banquet in Heaven if you never die?
This is not about what we think of survival, this is much more. This is about a total unity and what this fulfillment means. Eat joy. Eat Love. Eat a sumptuous meal He sacrificed to provide. Eat what He calls eternity. Eat what He is offering.
It is not of this world. It is more. It is what connects us. And this is both scary and awesome, how connected we really are.
Through Him
With Him
and in Him Words of Holy Mass where His Body, His Flesh is offered
all His Holy Blood for you...pure Love | |
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