The Franciscan Challenge for Our Time The Franciscan challenge in our own time: Contemplative seeing, affective response, practical help, and sustained assistance as the way of restoring God's house which is falling into ruins. It is Jesus's own prescription for learning to love. In contemplative prayer we learn to love God who created all things and made them our brothers and sisters. And when we begin to see others for what they are in God's eyes, we are moved to compassion. And when we then reach out to those of our brothers and sisters in distress, the love of God becomes the love of others, all of whom are beloved of God. —from the book Surrounded by Love: Seven Teachings from Saint Francis | † QUOTE
"Our perfection does not consist of doing extraordinary things, but to do the ordinary well."
— St. Gabriel Possenti † MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"No human motive should lead us to pray: neither routine, nor the habit of doing as others do, nor a thirst for spiritual consolations. No, we should go to prayer to render homage to God. It is not, however, a common-place visit of propriety, nor a conversation without any precise object; we want to obtain from Him some definite spiritual good, such or such progress in the uprooting of some vice, in the acquisition of some virtue. We have, therefore, a purpose upon which we are bent, and all our considerations, affections, petitions, and resolutions should combine for its attainment. God is there, surrounding us and penetrating us; but we were not, perhaps, thinking of this. We must, therefore, withdraw our powers from the things of the earth, gather them together, and fix them upon God; thus it is we place ourselves in His presence. Naturally, we approach Him by saluting Him with a profound and humble act of adoration. In presence of so much greatness and holiness, the soul perceives herself to be little and miserable; she humbles herself, purifies herself by an act of sorrow; apologizes for daring to approach a being of so lofty a majesty. Powerless to pray as she should, she represents her incapacity to God, and begs the Holy Ghost to help her to pray well."
— Rev. Dom Vitalis Lehodey, p. 91
AN EXCERPT FROM
The Ways of Mental Prayer † VERSE OF THE DAY
"Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing."
John 15:4-5 |  click to read more | | ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH St. Ignatius of Antioch (d. c. 98-117) was a Syrian who became a disciple of St. John the Apostle. Tradition holds that he was the infant whom Jesus took in his arms, saying, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me" as recounted in Mark's Gospel. St. Ignatius was a pagan convert to Christianity and succeeded St. Peter the Apostle as the third bishop of Antioch, being ordained by St. Peter himself. He was an important Church Father of the Apostolic age, an ideal pastor, and a fearless soldier of Christ. He was tireless in supporting his flock against dangerous heresies and the terrors of the persecutions of the Roman Emperors. When Ignatius violated the imperial edict to worship false gods, he was arrested and led before Emperor Trajan. After boldly proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ, he was condemned to be devoured by wild beasts for public sport in the Roman Colosseum. On his journey from Syria to Rome he wrote many letters to his fellow Christians, encouraging them with his apostolic zeal and exhorting them to obey their bishops. He also pleaded that none try to obtain his release, as he was eager to lay down his life for Jesus, saying, "The only thing I ask of you is to allow me to offer the libation of my blood to God. I am the wheat of the Lord; may I be ground by the teeth of the beasts to become the immaculate bread of Christ." He was devoured by lions in Rome in the early second century. St. Ignatius of Antioch is the first to have used the term "Catholic" Church, meaning "Universal." His feast day is October 17th. | Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr Reading 1 Gal 5:18-25 Brothers and sisters:
If you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are obvious:
immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry,
sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy,
outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness,
dissensions, factions, occasions of envy,
drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I warned you before,
that those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh
with its passions and desires.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. Responsorial Psalm Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
R. (see Jn 8:12) Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life. Alleluia Jn 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 11:42-46 The Lord said:
"Woe to you Pharisees!
You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb,
but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God.
These you should have done, without overlooking the others.
Woe to you Pharisees!
You love the seat of honor in synagogues
and greetings in marketplaces.
Woe to you!
You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk." Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply,
"Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too."
And he said, "Woe also to you scholars of the law!
You impose on people burdens hard to carry,
but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them."
| Meditation: Psalm 1:1-4, 6
Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr (Memorial) He is like a tree planted near running water. (Psalm 1:3) Weeping willow trees are known for their aggressive root system. These trees love water! The roots often spread much wider than the tree itself and burrow deep into the ground to find water sources. That's why they flourish next to a creek or river. This is the image the psalmist uses to describe the blessings God has for us. When we follow the law of the Lord, we are like a fruitful tree planted by the water. St. Paul uses a similar image when he urges us to "live by the Spirit" so that we can bear "the fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16, 22). In effect, we need to be as aggressive as that willow tree as we send our roots deep and wide in search of the Holy Spirit's living water. This may seem a little pie-in-the-sky, but Paul is very practical in today's first reading. He gives us a graphic list of the "works of the flesh" that stand in contrast to the far more attractive fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19). We have all experienced the selfishness, anger, rivalry, and immorality that Paul calls the works of the flesh. We have also experienced many of the fruits of the Spirit, even if only in passing. The good news that Paul shares is that we can turn from the impulses of our flesh—"crucify" them—and reach toward the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:24). Even better, we don't have to reach too far; the Spirit is already in us! So how can we stretch our roots toward that living water? By being clear and decisive. For instance, when you hear the voice of your conscience telling you to bite your tongue instead of engaging in gossip, don't brush it off. If a Scripture passage or prayer catches your attention at Mass, linger in your pew and ask the Holy Spirit more about it. Start your day by bringing your chores and appointments to the Lord and asking for his direction or wisdom. As you reach deeply toward the Holy Spirit, you will bear more fruit. God promises, and you can always trust him. "Holy Spirit, I want to receive your refreshing water. I want to be that tree that bears your good fruit. Come and fill me up." Galatians 5:18-25
Luke 11:42-46 | my2cents:
"Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh
with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. "
We must crucify ourselves then right? Crucify our passions. Crucify our desires. Crucify the malignant flesh that brings us down. Only this way can our spirit fly. This is how Christ has shown the way. The little way. The little less taken. Let us pray: "Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night."
Walk this way. Choose your family. I have a family. I have a family in Christ. Which family do you belong to? Bloodlines have been cancelled when Christ entered. Only His blood matters now. And He baptizes us into Him...His family. Sit with Holiness. Holy Family. Be a holy family. Do not be afraid. In comes our Lord: "...you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God.
These you should have done....". You pay everyone else what you owe. Why do not we pay to God? Attention. Pay care, give a care. Now, this message is not for who you are thinking. It is for you. Pay attention. Tap into the living waters. You are like a tree that needs a tap root and that root seeks the best waters to depend on, to live off of....to give life to. That is what Christ desires from us. To be tapped into Him. "Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too."
And he said, "Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them."
Most of us reading this are teachers, in one way or the other. We in a sense are scholars, of the law, God's law. And woe to us who fail to teach according to the truth, the whole truth. Ignorance is not acceptance into the Kingdom. We must be in line with the truth, but how? Right? Saint Paul already told us "If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit." And the Psalm we prayed today says "Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life."
So follow the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is right and available now. How do we follow Him? I can tell you how I do it. I pray, speak to our Lord in my heart and with words outloud. I pray and seek Him. My heart is then tugged. God uses the heart. The Spiritual Heart. It is my leash, my reigns, my guide to life in the Spirit of God. I don't simply follow my heart, my whims, my fancies, it is not really even a feeling...its more of a knowing. A guide that feels like a spiritual gravitation. A tug. A calling. I believe in "Life in the Spirit". I am a charismatic. I am a pentecostal. I am a Holy Spirit guided soul. How do I know? Well, aren't we all? Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened. It is true for every souls that calls on our Lord Jesus. His Spirit is alive. His angels are alive. His Love is alive. His Father is the cause for all this life. In this world, we have agents of life and agents of death. Our task is to crucify death, the flesh.
Christ did it. He showed us how. Look at Him on the cross. Some detest this about Catholics, a crucified Christ. But it is a sign of love. Crucify ourselves. Follow God the Father's way. Even Christ asked for another way. But God Father said "This is it. This is MY will". Love must show the way. Love was crucified. In the most ecstatic demonstrations of bursting love that could possible be shown to human beings...and is unfathomable to a hardened heart. The preciousness of Jesus blood. Now mingled with ours in the Eucharist. He is alive. I simply look around. I see walking temples of the Holy Spirit. I see walking tabernacles holding the light of Christ.
I see souls tapped into Him. And I see hope. I see a reason to live. A reason to exist.
forever | |
