 clickable | | God Gives Us What We Need While we all need encouragement, sometimes we may rely a bit too much on others. Maybe we're afraid to join a gym or a support group if we can't convince someone to go with us. We don't have to be so afraid. We are enough because God is with us. Just as Gideon's reinforcements were whittled down, maybe our familiar supports fall away for one reason or another. When we're left facing our own weakness, there's nothing else to do but call on God's strength. Whatever fears we've faced in the past, we've survived them all. The support we were looking for at the time may not have been there. That doesn't mean God wasn't supporting us. After all, we did get through. That same God will always provide what we need—both the internal resources and external assistance—to get through anything he has in mind for us. —from the book Fools, Liars, Cheats, and Other Bible Heroes by Barbara Hosbach |  MorningOffering.com | †Saint Quote
"If you are suffering from a bad man's injustice, forgive him—lest there be two bad men."
— St. Augustine †MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"My God, you know infinitely better than I how little I love you. I would not love you at all except for your grace. It is your grace that has opened the eyes of my mind and enabled them to see your glory. It is your grace that has touched my heart and brought upon it the influence of what is so wonderfully beautiful and fair . . . O my God, whatever is nearer to me than you, things of this earth, and things more naturally pleasing to me, will be sure to interrupt the sight of you, unless your grace interferes. Keep my eyes, my ears, my heart from any such miserable tyranny. Break my bonds—raise my heart. Keep my whole being fixed on you. Let me never lose sight of you; and, while I gaze on you, let my love of you grow more and more everyday."
— Bl. John Henry Cardinal Newman, p. 44-5
AN EXCERPT FROM
Everyday Meditations † VERSE OF THE DAY
"How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your commandments. I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you."
Psalm 119:9-11 |  click to read more | | Saint Barnabas Saint of the Day for June 11
(c. 75) Barnabas, a Jew of Cyprus, comes as close as anyone outside the Twelve to being a full-fledged apostle. He was closely associated with Saint Paul—he introduced Paul to Peter and the other apostles—and served as a kind of mediator between the former persecutor and the still suspicious Jewish Christians. When a Christian community developed at Antioch, Barnabas was sent as the official representative of the church of Jerusalem to incorporate them into the fold. He and Paul instructed in Antioch for a year, after which they took relief contributions to Jerusalem. Later Paul and Barnabas, now clearly seen as charismatic leaders, were sent by Antioch officials to preach to the gentiles. Enormous success crowned their efforts. After a miracle at Lystra, the people wanted to offer sacrifice to them as gods—Barnabas being Zeus, and Paul, Hermes—but the two said, "We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God" (see Acts 14:8-18). But all was not peaceful. They were expelled from one town, they had to go to Jerusalem to clear up the ever-recurring controversy about circumcision, and even the best of friends can have differences. When Paul wanted to revisit the places they had evangelized, Barnabas wanted to take along his cousin John Mark, author of the Gospel, but Paul insisted that since Mark had deserted them once, he was not fit to take along now. The disagreement that followed was so sharp that Barnabas and Paul separated: Barnabas taking Mark to Cyprus, Paul taking Silas to Syria. Later they were reconciled—Paul, Barnabas and Mark. When Paul stood up to Peter for not eating with gentiles for fear of his Jewish friends, we learn that "even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy" (see Galatians 2:1-13).
Reflection Barnabas is spoken of simply as one who dedicated his life to the Lord. He was a man "filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. Thereby, large numbers were added to the Lord." Even when he and Paul were expelled from Antioch in Pisidia—modern-day Turkey—they were "filled with joy and the Holy Spirit."
Saint Barnabas is the Patron Saint of: Cyprus | Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle Reading 1 Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3 In those days a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians. Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers:
Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger,
Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,
"Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them."
Then, completing their fasting and prayer,
they laid hands on them and sent them off. Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6 R.(see 2b) The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power. Alleluia Mt 5:16 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let your light shine before others
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 5:13-16 Jesus said to his disciples:
"You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father." | Meditation: Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3 Saint Barnabas, Apostle (Memorial) When he arrived and saw the grace of God . . . (Acts 11:23) St. Barnabas, one of the earliest missionaries, had many gifts, but one of his most valuable gifts was the ability to "see" what God was doing and to encourage it. Think about how Barnabas was able to welcome Paul into the community of believers after his conversion (Acts 9:27). He "saw" what God had done in this former persecutor and chose to accept Paul in spite of his past. Again, when he went to Antioch, he "saw" what God was doing in bringing Jewish and Gentile Christians together (11:23). He could have just said, "That's great," and returned to Jerusalem, but his recognition of God's grace compelled him to find Paul so that they could stay and teach there. A few years later, Barnabas and Paul actually split up over a disagreement about another missionary, John Mark. Barnabas saw John Mark's potential, even though this younger disciple had deserted them on an earlier mission trip (Acts 15:37-40). Paul didn't want to keep working with John Mark, so Barnabas took him under his wing. Not only did John Mark prove to be a faithful companion, but he is also thought to be the same Mark who wrote the Gospel bearing his name. In every age of the Church, God raises up people like St. Barnabas. Think of saints who were mentored and encouraged by godly men and women: St. Ambrose and St. Augustine; St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal. Think of St. John XXIII, who saw that God wanted to renew the Church and took hold of it. Countless people, known and unknown, have had a domino effect on the history of the Church. God wants to use you too as someone who can see his grace at work and embrace it. That might mean supporting a budding ministry in your parish, giving someone a second chance, or encouraging a son or daughter to develop and use their gifts for the Lord. We can all grow in the gift of "seeing" when we learn to look at people and situations as God sees them. Then, like Barnabas, we can act on what we see—by mentoring, encouraging, and taking the next step forward in faith. "Lord, thank you for opening the eyes of your people to see what you are doing." Psalm 98:1-6
Matthew 5:13-16 |  clickable | All the saints have come to know this profound and fundamental truth: that the purpose of our life is the glory of Heaven, and the only way to reach the goal is by absolute confidence in God.
—Ralph Martin
from Fulfillment of All Desire | my2cents:
"...he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith."
Eventually, the good man was stoned to death, they say. Is this what happens to a good man...always? Is this the just man's reward? On earth, maybe, but in Heaven...the promise of our Father endures forever. The death of the good is the dictator's message, like a terrorist. So, are we to fear? No, of course not. Life goes on and trumps death. That's God's design. Even if this earth fades away, God's life goes on. And we are called to that life. And how do we arrive? Grain by granular grain of salt. Let's get salty! | Today we pray: "The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm." Sing to the Lord a new song. We sang 3 new songs this past Sunday, as I had to lead the choir in absence of our director. They were short and sweet. No compliments. Nobody said much about them. They were prayer songs asking the Holy Spirit to come soothe the hatred and to unite us all. Only person I heard singing was the priest, and that's probably because his microphone was on. But even if someone would've complained, I would've had to taken the message with a grain of salt! Amen? Grace. Why are we not good at taking criticism? I've had criticism of how I write to you, my grammar is incorrect, and someone once said "you shouldn't say the word 'I' so much, like its all about you". Ahh, I wish I was perfect, so I take it with a grain of salt and I promise to work on my perfection...you can help and I can help you. I like it when people crticize with advice though, not just complain, you know, offer solutions! We can make it better together. But how? SALT. Salt tastes like grace to me. | In the holy Gospel, we hear "Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth." Was this just for His disciples? Of course not! Just like when He gives His mother to His disciple, that wasn't just for that disciple, it was for all of his "beloved" followers. Amen!? Amen. Imagine the most beautiful thing you posses in your life, your beloved entire family...in this case, all Jesus had now was His mom. He loved her with all His heart, His precious heart. Could you give to God your most precious love? That's what I advise people when I lead funeral vigils when their mom is passed, or their child. And lately, I've had to tell it to a couple of couples that just had a miscarriage. "Yeah but it still hurts Mr. Adrian". Love hurts. Especially when things don't go the way we want them. Then faith has to step in and fill the gap. Salt must be poured on the wound, to help heal, and that hurts too. Jesus calls us salt, and wants the salt to have taste, to taste like Himself, the Eucharist. | And then He said "You are the light of the world." Not only do we have to taste like salt, all full of grace, but we have to look like salt, all holy and stuff! Today we prayed "Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." When Saint Barnabas was stoned to death for his faith, he gave glory to God, he was letting his light shine bright...forever.
Jesus said what is contradictory to many Protestant denominations, perhaps a vast majority..."your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."
Deeds are works. Deeds are things we do indeed! Let the world see. No need to toot your horn, just do it. People will know you by what you do. "Oh, he's a plumber...or "oh she's a teacher" or so on and so forth. But no, they should know you by what you really do, so they can say about you "they are a real Christian" or, "that is a holy roller"....or "that is a living saint".
Deeds that give glory to God are bright lights in the dark sky that help lead the way.
Amen? I'm watching you! I need you to be a salty light please. Lord help me taste like you, give good taste to the meat, your Holy Eucharist, your Holy and most precious Body. So we can live in the truth and the light you shine every single day of our lives! |  hear it read | adrian Random Bible Verse Generator by Sanders
Romans 12:1 (Listen) 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, [1] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. [2] Thank You Jesus | |
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