 clickable | | St. Catherine of Siena, Open Our Eyes St. Catherine calls us to be on the lookout for God. Each person will discover God in a unique way—an experience of beauty, love, forgiveness, generous sacrifice—the smile of a child, the first glimpse of the Grand Canyon, a donated organ, betrayal, persecution. In such circumstances, we stand in awe and feel infinitesimally small and unworthy. Life then truly becomes gift. Such experiences give access to Catherine's theology. For her, God is great not simply because of God's unimaginable goodness, but because God has chosen in love to share that goodness with creation and the human race. God pours out Godself in creation, incarnation, and Eucharist. God gifts us with every breath in every fiber of our being. —from Accidental Theologians: Four Women Who Shaped Christianity by Elizabeth Dreyer |  clickable: The Following is from MorningOffering | †Saint Quote
"While the world changes, the cross stands firm."
— St. Bruno † MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"You must first have peace in your own soul before you can make peace between other people. Peaceable people accomplish more good than learned people do. Those who are passionate often can turn good into evil and readily believe the worst. But those who are honest and peaceful turn all things to good and are suspicious of no one. ... It is no test of virtue to be on good terms with easy-going people, for they are always well liked. And, of course, all of us want to live in peace and prefer those who agree with us. But the real test of virtue and deserving of praise is to live at peace with the perverse, or the aggressive and those who contradict us, for this needs a great grace. ... in this mortal life, our peace consists in the humble bearing of suffering and contradictions, not in being free of them, for we cannot live in this world without adversity. Those who can best suffer will enjoy the most peace, for such persons are masters of themselves, lords of the world, with Christ for their friend, and heaven as their reward."
— Thomas á Kempis, p.72-73
AN EXCERPT FROM
Imitation of Christ †VERSE OF THE DAY
"Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods. You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted."
Psalm 40: 4-5 SAINT OF THE DAY |  click to read more | | ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA St. Catherine of Siena (1347–1380) was born in Siena, Italy, the 24th of 25 children born to a wealthy wool dyer and his wife. Catherine began having profound mystical experiences at the age of six which encouraged her in a life of virtue, extreme penance, and total consecration to God through a private vow of virginity. She became a Dominican Tertiary at the age of 16 while continuing to live in the home of her parents. She had regular mystical visits from, and conversations with, Jesus, Mary, and many of the saints. Catherine had no formal education and was illiterate, yet her theological knowledge acquired through prayer astounded learned theologians. She was especially devoted to working for the unity and spiritual health of the Church. Among her most famous accomplishments was that she persuaded the Pope to return to Rome from Avignon in 1377. She also encouraged him to call for a Crusade to the Holy Land. She was an important political figure in her day, often entering into negotiations between warring rulers through personal visits and dictated letters. Her practical wisdom and profound spiritual insight was widely sought both inside and outside the Church. St. Catherine was a great mystic and was granted the stigmata which was made visible only after her death. She died in Rome at the age of 33, offering her life to God for the sanctification of the Church, and was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1970. St. Catherine of Siena is the patron saint of Italy and Europe. Her feast day is April 29th. Reflection Though she lived her life in a faith experience and spirituality far different from that of our own time, Catherine of Siena stands as a companion with us on the Christian journey in her undivided effort to invite the Lord to take flesh in her own life. Events which might make us wince or chuckle or even yawn fill her biographies: a mystical experience at six, childhood betrothal to Christ, stories of harsh asceticism, her frequent ecstatic visions. Still, Catherine lived in an age which did not know the rapid change of 21st-century mobile America. The value of her life for us today lies in her recognition of holiness as a goal to be sought over the course of a lifetime.
Saint Catherine of Siena is the Patron Saint of: Europe
Fire Prevention
Italy | Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church Reading 1 Acts 4:23-31 After their release Peter and John went back to their own people
and reported what the chief priests and elders had told them.
And when they heard it,
they raised their voices to God with one accord
and said, "Sovereign Lord, maker of heaven and earth
and the sea and all that is in them,
you said by the Holy Spirit
through the mouth of our father David, your servant: Why did the Gentiles rage
and the peoples entertain folly?
The kings of the earth took their stand
and the princes gathered together
against the Lord and against his anointed. Indeed they gathered in this city
against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed,
Herod and Pontius Pilate,
together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,
to do what your hand and your will
had long ago planned to take place.
And now, Lord, take note of their threats,
and enable your servants to speak your word
with all boldness, as you stretch forth your hand to heal,
and signs and wonders are done
through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook,
and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Responsorial Psalm Ps 2:1-3, 4-7a, 7b-9
R. (see 11d) Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Why do the nations rage
and the peoples utter folly?
The kings of the earth rise up,
and the princes conspire together
against the LORD and against his anointed:
"Let us break their fetters
and cast their bonds from us!"
R. Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He who is throned in heaven laughs;
the LORD derides them.
Then in anger he speaks to them;
he terrifies them in his wrath:
"I myself have set up my king
on Zion, my holy mountain."
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD.
R. Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD said to me, "You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you.
Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod;
you shall shatter them like an earthen dish."
R. Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia. Alleluia Col 3:1
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If then you were raised with Christ,
seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 3:1-8 There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
He came to Jesus at night and said to him,
"Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God,
for no one can do these signs that you are doing
unless God is with him."
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God."
Nicodemus said to him,
"How can a man once grown old be born again?
Surely he cannot reenter his mother's womb and be born again, can he?"
Jesus answered,
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless one is born of water and Spirit
he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
What is born of flesh is flesh
and what is born of spirit is spirit.
Do not be amazed that I told you,
'You must be born from above.'
The wind blows where it wills,
and you can hear the sound it makes,
but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes;
so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." | Meditation: Acts 4:23-31 Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church (Memorial) Enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness. (Acts 4:29) Peter and John had just spent the night in jail for healing a man who couldn't walk. The next morning, authorities released them after sternly warning them never again to proclaim Jesus. So what did they do? Return to the Christian community and pray—not for protection, but for courage to continue. Boldness is one of the key signs of holiness Pope Francis identifies in his apostolic exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate. He praises "the freedom of a life open to God and to others" (129). That sounds great, doesn't it? Wouldn't we all like a bit more boldness? But this can also sound daunting, especially if we tend to be timid or private about our faith. Well, did you know that you already have the spiritual gift of courage? To help explain this, the Holy Father gives us a new take on a familiar image. You've probably seen the famous painting of Jesus knocking on a closed door (from Revelation 3:20). Pope Francis invites us to reverse the image. Jesus, who dwells within us through Baptism, is knocking on the inside of our heart's door. He wants to be let out into the world around us so that his love can touch and transform the people we meet. As Pope Francis says, "We are weak, yet we hold a treasure that can enlarge us and make those who receive it better and happier" (131). God confirmed this truth when he shook the room where Peter and John and the other disciples prayed for courage. They had just been released from prison for proclaiming Christ boldly, and after praying they went out and continued to proclaim him boldly. They had what was required; they just needed to act on it. This same gift of boldness lives in you through the Holy Spirit. So put it to use. Start thinking in a fresh way about the opportunities you have to make Jesus better known. It can be as simple as taking that one small brave step to open the door for Jesus. Look at one stranger in the eye and ask his name. Do just one unexpected act of kindness. Watch for just one opportunity to pray with someone for comfort or healing. You will see how God affirms each act of boldness! "Lord, thank you for the gift of boldness. Help me to remain confident in you today." Psalm 2:1-9
John 3:1-8 |  clickable | I am love and mercy itself. There is no misery that could be a match for My mercy, neither will misery exhaust it, because as it is being granted—it increases. The soul that trusts in My mercy is most fortunate, because I Myself take care of it.
—St. Faustina
from Diary of St. Faustina |  clickable go see food for poor | | 2cents:
"As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."
I gave a talk at a Diocese gathering of cursillistas this weekend. I spoke and prayed in the same tune of words as we just heard. I invoked the Holy Spirit to come among us. We prayed for a new Pentecost to come, a new fire, not like the one before...but better. | Let us pray: "The LORD said to me, "You are my Son; this day I have begotten you. Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod; you shall shatter them like an earthen dish. Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord" | "Our Lord said today "Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God."
I gave an analogy in my talk about the ingredients needed for a fire...the wood, and the kindling. I said what we need are logs that will burn long and bright through the long night, rather than smaller twigs that burn out and a watchman has to be on guard in shifts through the night. What does that mean? And what is wood in the analogy? Wood is people, kindling is the Holy Spirit. God wants to enkindle in us the fire of His love. I love seeing people love God. It makes the heart feel and see goodness. Wholesome love. Can people see the love of God in your life? Divine Mercy shows 2 rays of light. | One for blood, and the other for water. God wants us through both, first we are born, then we are reborn with His water...baptism.
If this wasn't important He wouldn't say it in His Ascension farewell speech; "Go there for and baptize all the nations in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit". Amen?
Our Lord's words today were in the end "...so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Everyone born of the Spirit can hear His voice. It comes and goes as the wind blows. I can tell when God is talking. Can you? You know it because it is a directive. A directive is a direction your life takes without question. What is God asking of you this day? What will He ask of this week? Month? Year? Most directives are of the heart. Not instructions per say, but things of the Spirit. What are these? Fruit. These are what is known as "being". Forget quantities and qualities, earthly terms. In my talk, I spoke of being more united, in our relationships, tend to them with great love. Focus on one person at a time that you encounter. Jesus is among us. The Spirit goes where He pleases... |  click to hear the bible verse | adrian AWESOME Random Bible Verse1
Psalm 86:4-5 (Listen) 4 Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Thank You Jesus | |
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