Hope for the Poor "The hope that our Church encourages," said Romero, "is neither naïve nor passive. It is rather a summons from the word of God for the great majority of the people, the poor, that they assume their proper responsibility.… And it is support, sometimes critical support, for their just causes and demands. The hope that we preach to the poor is intended to give them back their dignity, to encourage them to take charge of their own future." —from Saint Oscar Romero: Pastor, Prophet, Martyr | † QUOTE
"Is it not a wonderful thing, that he that is the Lord and author of all liberty, would thus be bound with ropes and nailed hand and foot unto the Cross?"
— St. John Fisher † MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"We frequently need other people's help to figure out what God wants of us. It is relatively easy to sort out what is bad from what is good, but it is much more difficult to sort out what is good from what is better and what is bad from what is worse. The Holy Spirit gives us the counsel we need through external and internal signs of grace."
— Rev. Jude Winkler, p. 35
AN EXCERPT FROM
Daily Meditations Holy Spirit † VERSE OF THE DAY
"Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
2 Timothy 3:12-15 |  click to read more | | ST. JOHN OF CAPISTRANO St. John of Capistrano (1385-1456) was born in Capistrano, Italy. After the death of his father, his mother sent him to study law in Perugia where he rose to prominence. He achieved great success as a lawyer and was appointed governor of Perugia. He was an upright leader who refused bribes and corruption. While attempting to negotiate a peace treaty he was imprisoned, which gave him opportunity to assess the direction of his life and the state of his soul. After having a vision of St. Francis of Assisi, John left the world and entered religious life as a Franciscan friar. He was taught theology by St. Bernardine of Siena, and together the two worked to reform the Franciscan order. St. John traveled throughout Italy preaching for the salvation of souls, combating the heresies of his day, and winning many souls away from schism and heresy. Merchants would suspend their business as great crowds gathered to hear him preach in the public squares. He was also known as a healer, and many of the sick were brought to him to be cured. St. John was frequently used as an ambassador by the Holy See which allowed him to preach across the Holy Roman Empire, earning him the name "Apostle of Europe." He also preached a crusade against the Muslim Turks for the emancipation of Hungary. He was present at the Battle of Belgrade and led the charge of the Christian army under a banner monogrammed with the Holy Name of Jesus, to which he had a great devotion, urging the crusaders to invoke the name of Jesus for success in battle. The victory of the Christian army was attributed to his efforts. St. John of Capistrano is the patron of judges, military chaplains, lawyers, and jurists. His feast day is October 23rd. | Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time Reading 1 Eph 2:12-22 Brothers and sisters:
You were at that time without Christ,
alienated from the community of Israel
and strangers to the covenants of promise,
without hope and without God in the world.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off
have become near by the Blood of Christ. For he is our peace, he made both one
and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his Flesh,
abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims,
that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two,
thus establishing peace,
and might reconcile both with God,
in one Body, through the cross,
putting that enmity to death by it.
He came and preached peace to you who were far off
and peace to those who were near,
for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together
and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;
in him you also are being built together
into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Responsorial Psalm pS 85:9ab-10, 11-12, 13-14
R. (see 9) The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD–for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people. Alleluia Lk 21:36
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Be vigilant at all times and pray
that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 12:35-38 Jesus said to his disciples:
"Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants
whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,
have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared in this way,
blessed are those servants."
| Meditation: Luke 12:35-38 Saint John of Capistrano, Priest (Optional Memorial) . . . ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. (Luke 12:36) Are you ready? The question arises at every important transition. Are you ready to go to college? To start a new job? To welcome a baby? To retire? Facing this question, we may list all the preparations we've made in the hope that we'll be able to handle the future that lies before us. But there are always surprises, both pleasant and unpleasant. Nothing can prepare first-time parents for the all-encompassing effects of sleep deprivation or for the overwhelming love that floods them when they gaze at their newborn. The best advice you could ever receive about preparing for parenting is to expect the unexpected. You won't be disappointed that way, and you'll savor every unexpected blessing even more. A similar thing happens to the servants in today's Gospel reading. They gird their loins. They light their lamps and listen for their master's knock. They keep dinner warm, and they're ready to hang up his cloak and wash his feet when he shows up. They are all set to serve their master as they have always done. In a sense, they're expecting the expected. But then comes the surprise. When they hear that knock and hurry to open the door, the master commends them for being ready. Then he tells them to sit down at the table. "Tonight I'm going to wait on you!" How will the Master surprise you today? Yes, do all you can to be ready to carry out your responsibilities today. Do everything possible to make sure you are obeying God's commands and loving other people as he has loved you. But at the same time, be sure to hold your heart in readiness. God is full of surprises. He may give you an unexpected token of his love. He may fill you with the inspiration to do something you don't usually do, like share your faith. He may call your attention to one of his children who needs your comfort, your correction, or your prayer. Don't limit what God can do for you, in you, and through you. Life with him is full of surprises! "Jesus, I want to be ready to welcome you, however you choose to knock on my door today." Ephesians 2:12-22
Psalm 85:9-14 | 2 cents :
"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off
have become near by the Blood of Christ." What holds us together? It is the Blood, the Love of Christ. Do you love Christ? If you love Christ and I love Christ Jesus too, we are held together by this love. And together we form the temple of God. Together. Amen? So much of my time in ministries and dealing with families is trying to keep them together...focused on Christ. Once we lose our love, our focus, we lose our faith. It is Christ our Lord. The whole world has been given to Him and that means we are all in His charge, His Kingdom. He expects something out of us. Something most aren't willing to participate in...this blood. For you, for reading this, the blood of Christ is writing to you. Remain. Remain true. Remain faithful to the King who is not only King, but one in our Father. | Let us pray the Psalm today: "The Lord speaks of peace to his people. I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD–for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land." They say there is an onslaught of people coming in a caravan, headed towards our country. The way it is portrayed, "from one of the most crime ridden countries", makes it seem like terrorists are coming. The media calls for fear. Always. That is its job apparently. But the bible, the Word of God says have no fear, be not afraid. The world is at war. Always has been. We see it manifested in carnage and atrocities of physical war. But the real casualties are those who are struck down and stabbed and lose their faith. Why don't we hear what God proclaims? Peace. He is near to those who fear Him.... | In comes our Lord and Savior: ""Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks." Gird your loins? Who says that nowadays? So I looked it up right quick for you and a quick definition says "prepare and strengthen oneself for what is to come." Yikes!! Get ready for what? Another war? Another catastrophe? Why are we being put on high alert? Why the cause for anxiety? Calm down. Take a deep breath. Light your lamps. Those soft glowing lamps in winter, those soft Christmas lights call on the coming of our Lord. I don't believe I see as many lights on houses as before. Why? Lost interest? Not worth the trouble? Why don't I see Christmas lights at your home? Is the Holyday (spelled in meaning) spirit, is its cheer being wiped off our faces? You know, November 1st kicks off the month with the day of all the Holy, all Hallow, all saints. And in reality, this should be our day. For our calling is to be saints. Saint you my child. There's this guy in Australia that made a Youtube video about his encounter with Archangel St. Michael. At the end he says he didn't understand why St. Michael told him "you are Saint Christopher" (the guy's name is Chris). I knew right away what St. Michael meant. We are all called to be saints, heroic saints in virtue and in faith and in the graces of our Lord. To be anything else is to turn off the lights. Our Lord returns from the great wedding that has been taking place for thousands of earth years and probably a few days in Heaven. He returns to find us....doing....what?
We are called to be doing one thing....being faithful.
What did waiters do back in His day? I'm not completely sure. But if they are like waiters today, they are always attending, waiting means serving, doing the will of the person/guest. I believe though, that waiters did more back then, perhaps even, washed the feet of the guest. So, why would our Lord come to wait on us as He said "Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them."? I believe He does this now. He comes. He cleans our feet in confession, and then serves us through priests upon the altars the most exquisite of foods....His very most precious body and blood. That is what is to hold us together for eternity. Right now, we can't value rightly what is to be treasured. His blood. What does His blood taste like? Wine? I try to partake of this daily. Human taste can not explain what comes into the soul But it tastes like peace. This brings joy. Why is it sweet? Because love is sweet. Look how He served Himself. Look at all the hard work and....sacrifice.
That's what He wants us to see.
He comes and knocks on our doors every day. "Hey, St. my child, I want to be one with you". To journey to this feast is to yoke oneself with Him...His cross. When we pray the sorrowful mysteries in the rosary with my kids, I always say on the 4th mystery, the carrying of the cross "they forced Simon of Cyrene to help Jesus carry the cross, Simone told everyone he had nothing to do with this man, but still helped him, fell in love with Him, and became a saint with his whole family". This is the way my child. It's actually the only way. Take your cross, we're going somewhere.
The food is exquisite.
The wine is divine.
The place is full of joy.
The promise is for sure.
I love you, and you are mine. | adrian Our Lord waits on us, to strengthen us, to continue on our journey. Allelujah. | |
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