 clickable | | Saint Anthony, Pray for Us Saint_Anthony_revisedAnthony traveled tirelessly in both northern Italy and southern France—perhaps four hundred trips—choosing to enter the cities where the heretics were strongest. Yet the sermons he has left behind rarely show him taking direct issue with the heretics. Anthony preferred to present the grandeur of Christianity in positive ways. It was no good to prove people wrong. Anthony wanted to win them to the right, the healthiness of real sorrow and conversion, the wonder of reconciliation with a loving Father. The word fire recurs in descriptions of him. And though he was called the "Hammer of Heretics," the word warmth describes him more fully. —from the book Saint Anthony of Padua: His Life, Legends, and Devotions edited by Jack Wintz, OFM |  MorningOffering.com | †Saint Quote
""Prayer is the best armor we have, it is the key which opens the heart of God." — St. Padre Pio †Meditation of the Day "It does indeed produce an entire change in the whole conception of the Christian life when one passes from under the law of prohibitions to live under the benign influences of the law of the Beatitudes. One ceases merely to strive against particular sins and begins truly to live and to grow in holiness. It is a veritable conversion ... There are those who have not yet entered into this view of life and who consequently are timid, fearful, always dreading evil that they fear will overmaster them; there is in their life little of Christian liberty and expansiveness and no joy. A vast part of their nature remains untouched by grace. There are the germs of virtues in them that have never been developed; they hold back through fear from many a sphere of usefulness; there is a constant introspection and self-analysis; they seem never to be able to get out of themselves; they live in an atmosphere of spiritual self-consciousness. There is no such thing possible for them as self-abandonment in trustful love, but always a restless sense of insecurity; there is no confidence in God or in the power of His grace. Their thought of God is rather as judge than Savior. ... And then there comes a change; they pass into another atmosphere where love reigns, where positive action takes the place of mere watchfulness and self-restraint; they launch out into the deep, put forth their powers, and strive to live rather than not to die—to do good rather than not to do evil, to put forth all their strength and energy in the loving service of God and man. — Fr. Basil Maturin, p. 10-11 An Excerpt From Spiritual Guidelines for Souls Seeking God † VERSE OF THE DAY "But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:22-23 |  click to read more | | Saint Anthony of Padua Saint of the Day for June 13
(1195 – June 13, 1231) The gospel call to leave everything and follow Christ was the rule of Saint Anthony of Padua's life. Over and over again, God called him to something new in his plan. Every time Anthony responded with renewed zeal and self-sacrificing to serve his Lord Jesus more completely. His journey as the servant of God began as a very young man when he decided to join the Augustinians in Lisbon, giving up a future of wealth and power to be a servant of God. Later when the bodies of the first Franciscan martyrs went through the Portuguese city where he was stationed, he was again filled with an intense longing to be one of those closest to Jesus himself: those who die for the Good News. So Anthony entered the Franciscan Order and set out to preach to the Moors. But an illness prevented him from achieving that goal. He went to Italy and was stationed in a small hermitage where he spent most of his time praying, reading the Scriptures and doing menial tasks. The call of God came again at an ordination where no one was prepared to speak. The humble and obedient Anthony hesitantly accepted the task. The years of searching for Jesus in prayer, of reading sacred Scripture and of serving him in poverty, chastity, and obedience had prepared Anthony to allow the Spirit to use his talents. Anthony's sermon was astounding to those who expected an unprepared speech and knew not the Spirit's power to give people words. Recognized as a great man of prayer and a great Scripture and theology scholar, Anthony became the first friar to teach theology to the other friars. Soon he was called from that post to preach to the Albigensians in France, using his profound knowledge of Scripture and theology to convert and reassure those who had been misled by their denial of Christ's divinity and of the sacraments.. After he led the friars in northern Italy for three years, he made his headquarters in the city of Padua. He resumed his preaching and began writing sermon notes to help other preachers. In the spring of 1231 Anthony withdrew to a friary at Camposampiero where he had a sort of treehouse built as a hermitage. There he prayed and prepared for death. On June 13, he became very ill and asked to be taken back to Padua, where he died after receiving the last sacraments. Anthony was canonized less than a year later and named a Doctor of the Church in 1946.
Reflection Anthony should be the patron of those who find their lives completely uprooted and set in a new and unexpected direction. Like all saints, he is a perfect example of turning one's life completely over to Christ. God did with Anthony as God pleased—and what God pleased was a life of spiritual power and brilliance that still attracts admiration today. He whom popular devotion has nominated as finder of lost objects found himself by losing himself totally to the providence of God.
Saint Anthony of Padua is the Patron Saint of: Lost items
Poor
Travelers | Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church Reading 1 2 Cor 3:15—4:1, 3-6
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Brothers and sisters:
To this day, whenever Moses is read,
a veil lies over the hearts of the children of Israel,
but whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed.
Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is,
there is freedom.
All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory,
as from the Lord who is the Spirit. Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy shown us,
we are not discouraged.
And even though our Gospel is veiled,
it is veiled for those who are perishing,
in whose case the god of this age
has blinded the minds of the unbelievers,
so that they may not see the light of the Gospel
of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord,
and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus.
For God who said, Let light shine out of darkness,
has shone in our hearts to bring to light
the knowledge of the glory of God
on the face of Jesus Christ. Responsorial Psalm Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14 R.(see 10b) The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD–for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
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 glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
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 glory of the Lord will dwell in our land. Alleluia Jn 13:34 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 5:20-26 Jesus said to his disciples:
"I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother,
'Raqa,' will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,
and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny." | Mass Reading & Meditation for June 13, 2019
Catholic Meditations
Meditation: Matthew 5:20-26 Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Memorial) Whoever is angry with his brother . . . (Matthew 5:22) Angry saints. It sounds almost comical, but the truth is that many saints struggled with controlling their anger. Historians think Jesus nicknamed the apostles James and John the "Sons of Thunder" because of their anger. St. Paul was known for his angry outbursts whenever he felt that the gospel he preached was being misunderstood. Even sweet Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower, had to work on controlling herself. In today's Gospel, Jesus says that uncontrolled anger has the potential to reap the same spiritual consequences as killing someone. So how can we get our anger under control? Let's turn to an expert: another saint, Francis de Sales. First, try to recognize the first signs of anger as it creeps into your thoughts. Perhaps you recall a past hurt done to you, or perhaps someone just appeared to slight you. Peacefully but deliberately, set the anger aside before it takes root. St. Francis warns, "Give anger ever so little way, and it will become master, like the serpent, who easily works in its body wherever it can once introduce its head." Then pray. "When we find that we have been aroused to anger, we must call for God's help, like the apostles when they were tossed about by the wind and storm waters." Francis recommends saying something as simple as "Have mercy upon me, O Lord." Prayer is your number one weapon against anger. Call on God whenever you need help so that you can keep walking along the road of holiness and humility. Last, be patient with yourself. Change takes time. Francis encourages us, "Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them—every day begin the task anew." If St. John can go from being a Son of Thunder to an apostle of love by walking with Jesus, you can too. With vigilance, prayer, and patient perseverance—and the help of the Holy Spirit—you can begin to set aside your anger and become a disciple of love. "Have mercy on me, O Lord! Help me to turn to you whenever anger rears its head." 2 Corinthians 3:15–4:1, 3-6
Psalm 85:9-14 |  clickable | | my2cents:
"All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory,
as from the Lord who is the Spirit."
An unbeliever cannot see God. But a believer can see His image. Could if it be that we say we believe yet do not see? More on that in a minute. | Let us pray: " The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven."
Isn't the truth kind? Why do they need to meet?
Isn't justice...peace? Nope. Truth and justice are not bringing peace but the sword...the kind that pierces the heart. Think the heart of Mary at the presentation...and Jesus. | The truth speaks; unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven."
You will not enter Heaven if what?
If you called someone an uncharitable name. If you are angry at someone. If you fail to...love as God loves...with great mercy.
That is the truth. That is what we will be held liable for. Do you want that liability? Of course not. Can we get rid of the liability? Yes. Would you like to? That is totally your decision...and for that we need grace.
Our opponent will turn us in. That opponent has supernatural eyes and ears in and under the ground.
It is a fierce opponent. A lawyer that operates with rules you would think are unfair. But is it fair you want Heaven and want to hate? Is it fair you are angry and cannot show mercy...to heaven? Is it fair you look with disdain on others and want God to look favorably on you?
Who made the rules? Love. |  hear it read | adrian Random Bible Verse1
Psalm 4:8 (Listen) 8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Thank You Jesus | |
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