 clickable | | Solanus Casey: No Fear of Passing Over What we have done on earth, the "vestibule of heaven," will be the basis for our reward in heaven. Heaven, to Solanus, was "where love of God and our neighbor is the life and the very soul of society and association, where hopeful faith has merged into eternal charity." Since these triune virtues of faith, hope and charity are the "trace of the Holy Trinity in our immortal souls," and because the Trinity is the basis for our lives on earth, we should have no fear of passing over to fully experience God at the moment of our death. For him death was "the happy transition to the heavenly promised abode, where gratitude ripens into perfect love of God and neighbor." Thus he said, "if we prepare for the moment of our passing from time to eternity, it can be like that of a tired child confident in the arms enfolding it." —from the book Thank God Ahead of Time: The Life and Spirituality of Solanus Casey by Michael Crosby, OFM Cap. |  MorningOffering.com | †Saint Quote
"What is a vocation? It is a gift from God, so it comes from God. If it is a gift from God, our concern must be to know God's will. We must enter that path: if God wants, when God wants, how God wants. Never force the door."
— St. Gianna Molla † MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"Although we feel the humiliation keenly when we are insulted, persecuted, or calumniated, this does not mean that we cannot suffer such trials with sentiments of true humility, subjecting nature to reason and faith, and sacrificing the resentment of our self-love to the love of God. We are not made of stone, so that we need be insensible or senseless in order to be humble. Of some martyrs we read that they writhed under their torments; of others, that they more or less rejoiced in them, according to the greater or lesser degree of unction they received from the Holy Ghost; and all were rewarded by the crown of glory, as it is not the pain or the feeling that makes the martyr, but the supernatural motive of virtue. In the same way some humble persons feel pleasure in being humiliated, and some feel sadness, especially when weighted down with calumny; and yet they all belong to the sphere of the humble, because it is not the humiliation nor the suffering alone which makes the soul humble, but the interior act by which this same humiliation is accepted and received through motives of Christian humility, and especially of a desire to resemble Jesus Christ, who though entitled to all the honors the world could offer Him, bore humiliation and scorn for the glory of His eternal Father."
— Fr. Cajetan da Bergamo, p. 19-20
AN EXCERPT FROM
Humility Of Heart † VERSE OF THE DAY
"My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing."
James 1:2-4 |  click to read more | | Blessed Solanus Casey (November 25, 1875 – July 31, 1957) Barney Casey became one of Detroit's best-known priests even though he was not allowed to preach formally or to hear confessions! Barney came from a large family in Oak Grove, Wisconsin. At the age of 21, and after he had worked as a logger, a hospital orderly, a streetcar operator, and a prison guard, he entered St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee—where he found the studies difficult. He left there, and in 1896, joined the Capuchins in Detroit, taking the name Solanus. His studies for the priesthood were again arduous. On July 24, 1904, Solanus was ordained, but because his knowledge of theology was judged to be weak, he was not given permission to hear confessions or to preach. A Franciscan Capuchin who knew him well said this annoying restriction "brought forth in him a greatness and a holiness that might never have been realized in any other way." During his 14 years as porter and sacristan in Yonkers, New York, the people there recognized Solanus as a fine speaker. James Derum, his biographer writes, "For, though he was forbidden to deliver doctrinal sermons, he could give inspirational talks, or feverinos, as the Capuchins termed them." His spiritual fire deeply impressed his listeners. Father Solanus served at parishes in Manhattan and Harlem before returning to Detroit, where he was porter and sacristan for 20 years at St. Bonaventure Monastery. Every Wednesday afternoon he conducted well-attended services for the sick. A co-worker estimates that on the average day 150 to 200 people came to see Father Solanus in the front office. Most of them came to receive his blessing; 40 to 50 came for consultation. Many people considered him instrumental in cures and other blessings they received. Father Solanus' sense of God's providence inspired many of his visitors. "Blessed be God in all his designs" was one of his favorite expressions. The many friends of Father Solanus helped the Capuchins begin a soup kitchen during the Depression. Capuchins are still feeding the hungry there today. In failing health, Solanus was transferred to the Capuchin novitiate in Huntington, Indiana, in 1946, where he lived for ten years until needing to be hospitalized in Detroit. Father Solanus died on July 31, 1957. An estimated 20,000 people passed by his coffin before his burial in St. Bonaventure Church in Detroit. At the funeral Mass, the provincial Father Gerald said: "His was a life of service and love for people like me and you. When he was not himself sick, he nevertheless suffered with and for you that were sick. When he was not physically hungry, he hungered with people like you. He had a divine love for people. He loved people for what he could do for them—and for God, through them." In 1960, a Father Solanus Guild was formed in Detroit to aid Capuchin seminarians. By 1967, the guild had 5,000 members—many of them grateful recipients of his practical advice and his comforting assurance that God would not abandon them in their trials. Solanus Casey was declared Venerable in 1995, and beatified on November 18, 2017.
Reflection His biographer James Patrick Derum writes that eventually Father Solanus was weary from bearing the burdens of the people who visited him. "Long since, he had come to know the Christ-taught truth that pure love of God and one's fellowmen as children of God are in the final event all that matter. Living this truth ardently and continuously had made him, spiritually, a free man—free from slavery to passions, from self-seeking, from self-indulgence, from self-pity—free to serve wholly both God and man" (The Porter of St. Bonaventure's, page 199). | ST. PETER CHRYSOLOGUS St. Peter Chrysologus (406-450 A.D.) was born in Imola, Italy. He was an adult convert to Christianity and studied under his bishop, Cornelius, who ordained him a deacon. In his day the city of Ravenna was the center of the Roman Empire, making the Archbishop of Ravenna an important position in the Church. When the Archbishop of Ravenna died, a new archbishop was elected by the clergy and the people of Ravenna. Bishop Cornelius of Imola went to Rome with his deacon, St. Peter Chyrsologus, to have the Ravenna appointment confirmed by Pope Sixtus III. When the pope saw St. Peter, he appointed him the new Archbishop of Ravenna instead. St. Peter was an effective shepherd who stamped out paganism, heresy, and ecclesiastical abuses from his diocese, earning the high regard of Emperor Valentinan III who resided in Ravenna. He also organized services to help the poor of the city. St. Peter was renowed for his profound and eloquent sermons, and his skill with taking complex theological truths and putting them in plain language, earning him the name 'Chrysologus' meaning 'the man of golden speech' or 'golden word' as well as the 'Doctor of Homilies.' In 1729, Pope Benedict XIII declared him a Doctor of the Church. His feast day is July 30. | Tuesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time Reading 1 Ex 33:7-11; 34:5b-9, 28 The tent, which was called the meeting tent,
Moses used to pitch at some distance away, outside the camp.
Anyone who wished to consult the LORD
would go to this meeting tent outside the camp.
Whenever Moses went out to the tent, the people would all rise
and stand at the entrance of their own tents,
watching Moses until he entered the tent.
As Moses entered the tent, the column of cloud would come down
and stand at its entrance while the LORD spoke with Moses.
On seeing the column of cloud stand at the entrance of the tent,
all the people would rise and worship
at the entrance of their own tents.
The LORD used to speak to Moses face to face,
as one man speaks to another.
Moses would then return to the camp,
but his young assistant, Joshua, son of Nun,
would not move out of the tent. Moses stood there with the LORD and proclaimed his name, "LORD."
Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out,
"The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God,
slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity,
continuing his kindness for a thousand generations,
and forgiving wickedness and crime and sin;
yet not declaring the guilty guiltless,
but punishing children and grandchildren
to the third and fourth generation for their fathers' wickedness!"
Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship.
Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O LORD,
do come along in our company.
This is indeed a stiff-necked people;
yet pardon our wickedness and sins,
and receive us as your own." So Moses stayed there with the LORD for forty days and forty nights,
without eating any food or drinking any water,
and he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant,
the ten commandments. Responsorial Psalm Ps 103:6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 R.(8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.
The LORD secures justice
and the rights of all the oppressed.
He has made known his ways to Moses,
and his deeds to the children of Israel.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful. Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower;
all who come to him will live for ever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 13:36-43 Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house.
His disciples approached him and said,
"Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."
He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man,
the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom.
The weeds are the children of the Evil One,
and the enemy who sows them is the Devil.
The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire,
so will it be at the end of the age.
The Son of Man will send his angels,
and they will collect out of his Kingdom
all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.
They will throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun
in the Kingdom of their Father.
Whoever has ears ought to hear."
| Meditation: Matthew 13:36-43 Saint Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Optional Memorial) The good seed [is] the children of the Kingdom. (Matthew 13:38) Jesus said it: you are the seed of the kingdom of God! Not just any seed either; you are good seed. Think about what that means. A seed has within itself all the necessary characteristics to grow into a particular plant and bear fruit. Just as an apple tree grows from a seed that was designed to bear apples, you are a seed designed to grow and bear good fruit for God. Believe it. Jesus has great confidence in you because he has given you all that you need in order to grow and bear fruit. That's why the sower in the parable isn't worried about his seed growing alongside the weeds. He knows these weeds could never overcome the good seed, so there is no urgent need to rip everything up. Of course, plants require sun and water and good soil to grow. And it's the same for you. As you try to stay close to the Lord in prayer and simple obedience, you too will flourish. It's a promise. In fact, you can't help but bear fruit if you're doing that, because that's what you were designed to do. What about the fruit you'll bear? Take a look at St. Paul's list in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You'll find that you're peaceful even in a stressful situation. You'll notice someone who is hurting and want to show them kindness. You'll be better able to say no to temptation. Here's some more good news about being one of God's good seeds: you're not alone. God never plants just one apple seed or one seed of corn. He sows rows and rows of them! That means he has provided people to encourage you right where you are—wherever you are. It also means he has sown you in the right field; he knows just the right situations where your gifts and the fruit you bear will make a difference. So keep your eyes on the One who planted you. Trust that he has given you all that you need to grow and bear fruit for his kingdom. He is good and faithful, and he is committed to helping you thrive. "Heavenly Father, thank you for making me your good seed." Exodus 33:7-11; 34:5-9, 28
Psalm 103:6-13 |  clickable | Saying the Rosary daily deepens our Catholic identity, touches our loved ones, and moves Heaven and earth for our intentions. The saints all recommend daily meditative prayer; the Rosary is exactly that. To have a real relationship with Christ, we need to know Him and talk to him. The Rosary reveals the major events of His life in prayer.
—TOM HOOPES
from The Rosary of Saint John Paul II | my2cents:
"If I find favor with you, O LORD, do come along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and receive us as your own."
And Moses remained for 40 days and so did the Lord. Fasted 40 days, and God kept him alive, for God alone is our sustenance, God is all we need. He provides.
Today, He provides the greatest gift still to this day, that promise of Mercy, of kindness. Mercy when we think we don't deserve and kindness where we fail to be kind...to Him. | Let us pray: "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him. The Lord is kind and merciful."
You may forgive your children of many things, but is forgiving everything justice? God can forgive anything. But what about justice? What about atonement for sin? What about reconciliation? What about reparation for sin? What about penance? What about...thanksgiving for immense and intense mercy? There is a huge lesson to learn here, so let us turn to our Lord. | In the Holy Gospel, our Lord said "The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun
in the Kingdom of their Father."
Who are the evildoers? "The weeds are the children of the Evil One, and the enemy who sows them is the Devil", those who are antichrist. Those who are teaching others to sin and leading them to sin. Those who are merciless. Those who are relentless in their ways. Those who are rebellious. Those who will be swallowed up by the earth and suffer eternal damnation in Hell, and they will always exist for evil and evil will always invite to itself to lead you to hell, to have more souls to torture for their enjoyment, for its own satisfaction, all things ego and pride, all things selfish, all things implosion into a dark hole that will not see the light. | On the contrary, "... the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear."
The sower is merciful and gracious, for it is Jesus. If we are the body of Christ, especially through Holy Communion, then we are to be the sowers in the field, which is the world, the world you live in. There are billions of worlds, and we are in the same field. Spread the seed, and let the seeds take as the Lord sees fit. And how can we plant seeds every single day of our lives? Remain with Him. And shall I spread them every single day? I already threw seeds the other day, or last year! The seed is the Word of God, the Good News, and it is daily we receive the seeds to propagate, to disperse, and to say "Hey! Did you read today about what our Lord said?"
"No?
Well...let me tell you!"
And about 70% will be ready to hear. If only 30% would do as God says!
Do you dare? And where did you get these statistics? They are a figure of faith. Do you believe? Do you believe you can have that much impact daily on your loved ones and acquaintances? Can one really bring up the Word of God in conversation? Shouldn't you "till the soil" first?
Yes and no. The appropriate time is now.
We leave things and wait for "the right time".
I used to have a teacher that would say "but tomorrow never comes".
Weird teacher, in middle school, we found out he hated the smurfs because of the magic, all smurfs run to papa smurf for magic spells, (he hated how everything was solved with magic and magic sorcery can be evil, having things your way). I digress. In a way, tomorrow never comes, right? Why do you live in tomorrow and the present is passing you by? Why leave things for tomorrow? The teacher didn't like to hear "I'll do it tomorrow". Do you? When you ask for something, wouldn't it be better today? Right now? In our world, we want things right away, right now! Convenience is what we want. And there is a price for that too.
To live in sin is a convenience.
And there is hell to pay for that.
But the inverse is true, to live in righteousness, holiness is a virtue, and there will be a Heavenly reward.
Too many souls right now are in great suffering, not on earth, but in hell and in purgatory. The vast lately are there for sins of lust, and greed, all things that stem from pride. All things that led us from Christ.
Today, the Good Sower has sown this seed in your heart.
Will you pray for the suffering?
Will you pay for the suffering?
Will you fast for the suffering?
Will you give to the suffering?
Is that what the Gospel is about? Yes, seeds, right? Your seed of faith needs to grow, reach for the sun, reach for the light, strive and fight to be in the light that makes God's mystery happen in our soul...a natural growth into something beautiful, something that the angels in the end will want to present to the Lord...a Holy and pure soul...for Jesus. LOOK AT ME JESUS!
LOOK HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU!
PICK ME! PICK ME!
Pick me up into your arms, I love you MASTER |  hear it read | adrian Random Bible Verse1
Acts 16:31 (Listen) 31 And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." Thank You Jesus | |
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