 clickable | | Poverty and Humility Are Sisters Poverty reminds us of the deepest truth of our human existence; that we are created by God and are dependent on God in an absolute sense. It is the sister of humility since it prompts us to recognize that all we have is gift. Humility is the acceptance of being what we are, with our strengths and weaknesses, and responding in love to the gift of being. Humility can open one to the renewing spirit of grace and make possible the return of creation to the Father. —from the book Clare: A Heart Full of Love by Franciscan Sister Ilia Delio |  MorningOffering.com | †Saint Quote
"Where there is no obedience there is no virtue, where there is no virtue there is no good, where there is no good there is no love, where there is no love, there is no God, and where there is no God there is no Paradise."
— St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina † MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"A sculptor who wishes to carve a figure out of a block uses his chisel, first cutting away great chunks of marble, then smaller pieces, until he finally reaches a point where only a brush of hand is needed to reveal the figure. In the same way, the soul has to undergo tremendous mortifications at first, and then more refined detachments, until finally its Divine image is revealed. Because mortification is recognized as a practice of death, there is fittingly inscribed on the tomb of Duns Scotus, Bis Mortus; Semel Sepultus (twice died, but buried only once). When we die to something, something comes alive within us. If we die to self, charity comes alive; if we die to pride, service comes alive; if we die to lust, reverence for personality comes alive; if we die to anger, love comes alive."
— Fulton J. Sheen, p. 219
AN EXCERPT FROM
Peace of Soul ⛪ TODAY'S FEAST DAY FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION
The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord takes place on August 6th, an event mentioned in all three synoptic Gospels. After revealing that he would be put to death in Jerusalem, Jesus took the three disciples of his inner circle to the summit of Mount Tabor in order to reveal his glory to them. Peter, James, and John saw Jesus transfigured before them, radiant in the fullness of his glory as he truly was, the Son of God. Next to Jesus were Moses and Elijah as witnesses to Christ's fulfillment of the Old Testament law and prophets. St. Matthew writes of the event by saying, "He was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow." † VERSE OF THE DAY
"The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak justice. The law of their God is in their hearts; their steps do not slip."
Psalm 37:30-31 |  click to read more | | Transfiguration of the Lord All three Synoptic Gospels tell the story of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-9; Luke 9:28-36). With remarkable agreement, all three place the event shortly after Peter's confession of faith that Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus' first prediction of his passion and death. Peter's eagerness to erect tents or booths on the spot suggests it occurred during the week-long Jewish Feast of Booths in the fall. According to Scripture scholars, in spite of the texts' agreement it is difficult to reconstruct the disciples' experience, because the Gospels draw heavily on Old Testament descriptions of the Sinai encounter with God, and prophetic visions of the Son of Man. Certainly Peter, James, and John had a glimpse of Jesus' divinity strong enough to strike fear into their hearts. Such an experience defies description, so they drew on familiar religious language to describe it. And certainly Jesus warned them that his glory and his suffering were to be inextricably connected—a theme John highlights throughout his Gospel. Tradition names Mount Tabor as the site of the revelation. A church first raised there in the fourth century was dedicated on August 6. A feast in honor of the Transfiguration was celebrated in the Eastern Church from about that time. Western observance began in some localities about the eighth century. On July 22, 1456, Crusaders defeated the Turks at Belgrade. News of the victory reached Rome on August 6, and Pope Callistus III placed the feast on the Roman calendar the following year.
Reflection One of the Transfiguration accounts is read on the second Sunday of Lent each year, proclaiming Christ's divinity to the Elect and baptized alike. The Gospel for the first Sunday of Lent, by contrast, is the story of the temptation in the desert—affirmation of Jesus' humanity. The two distinct but inseparable natures of the Lord were a subject of much theological argument at the beginning of the Church's history; it remains hard for believers to grasp. | BL. MARIA FRANCESCA RUBATTO Bl. Maria Francesca of Jesus Rubatto (1844– 1904) was one of eight children from an Italian family. Her father died when she was four. In her teenage years she received an offer of marriage, which she declined as she had taken a vow of virginity from an early age. When she was nineteen, after the death of her mother, Maria moved to Turin and befriended a noblewoman who gave her assistance. Maria taught catechism to the woman's children, in addition to the other children in the city. She also had a habit of visiting the sick and poor. One day a construction worker had an accident while building a convent, and Maria, who was walking nearby, helped him and gave him money so that he could recover from his injury. The sisters of the convent took notice of Maria for this act of charity and desired that she join their community. Maria accepted their invitation and was later appointed superior of this new community of Capuchin Franciscan sisters. She had a desire to serve in the overseas missions, and in 1892 left Italy and crossed the Atlantic Ocean to South America. She made this journey seven times in her work of founding Catholic missions in Uruguay and Argentina. Her feast day is August 6th. | Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Dn 7:9-10, 13-14 Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
his throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.
The court was convened and the books were opened. As the visions during the night continued, I saw: One like a Son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
The one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed. Responsorial Psalm Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9 R.(1a and 9a) The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth. Reading 2 2 Pt 1:16-19 Beloved:
We did not follow cleverly devised myths
when we made known to you
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received honor and glory from God the Father
when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory,
"This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven
while we were with him on the holy mountain.
Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable.
You will do well to be attentive to it,
as to a lamp shining in a dark place,
until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Alleluia Mt 17:5c R. Alleluia, alleluia.
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased;
listen to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel LK 9:28b-36 Jesus took Peter, John, and James
and went up a mountain to pray.
While he was praying his face changed in appearance
and his clothing became dazzling white.
And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,
who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus
that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,
but becoming fully awake,
they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus,
"Master, it is good that we are here;
let us make three tents,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
But he did not know what he was saying.
While he was still speaking,
a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,
and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.
Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
"This is my chosen Son; listen to him."
After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
They fell silent and did not at that time
tell anyone what they had seen.
| Meditation: Luke 9:28-36 The Transfiguration of the Lord (Feast) Moses and Elijah . . . spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:30-31) There are so many amazing things happening in this scene that it's easy to miss one important detail: Moses and Elijah are having a conversation with Jesus. Luke even tells us what they were talking about: Jesus' coming passion, death, and resurrection. Jesus had just spoken to his disciples about the fate that awaited him in Jerusalem (Luke 9:22). He probably didn't find it easy to talk about it, and he wasn't getting much comfort or support from his closest friends. The disciples didn't really get it. Why would the Messiah have to suffer in such a way? So perhaps God sent Moses and Elijah to him on the mountaintop not just for the disciples but for Jesus as well. Surely their conversation with him must have encouraged Jesus. Moses had faced his own exodus. Elijah had been taken up to heaven, just as Jesus would be at his ascension. Everything in the Law and the prophets had led up to this very moment. The Father also knew that as Jesus approached his passion, he would need a powerful sign that he would not be going through it alone. So he said, "This is my chosen Son," echoing the words he had spoken at Jesus' baptism, when he was just beginning his public ministry ((Luke 9:35; 3:22). Imagine how much comfort and encouragement this event gave to Jesus! If God cared for his Son in such a profound way, of course he will care for you. You too are his beloved, his chosen one. When you are facing difficult times or even just trying to navigate the ups and downs of life, your Father wants to encourage you. He probably won't speak in an audible voice, but he will reassure you of his love, his comfort, and his support. He may do it through the steadfast presence of a friend or spouse, or through a Scripture verse that speaks to your heart. He may give you some small sign that you should persevere on the path you're on, even when you're tempted to doubt. This is your Father, a God who loves you passionately and will always, always care for you. "Father, help me to see all the ways you are reaching out to me today." Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
2 Peter 1:16-19 |  clickable | God is Love and the Lord's Love is perfect, passionate and unconditional. There is nothing that we can do that would cause God to love us more and nothing we can do that would cause him to love us less. We are able to come to experience the beauty and freedom of God's Love by the Holy Spirit.
—FR. DAVE PIVONKA
from The Wild Goose | my2cents:
"Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow, and the hair on his head as white as wool"
There is much talk of bright dazzling lights and people seemingly glowing...in today's Holy Gospel, and it is good for the world to see light, we depend on light to live, because in complete darkness, we would eventually cease to exist as a world, and as a whole.
Thank you Lord for coming, and coming the way you did, as a light for all nations, as God would see fit, of what He expects from each heart.
I once was caught up in a vision, and the vision was of a visitation to this site, of myriads coming to the site of an immense light being the focal point, people were bringing to what is summized as God, gifts and they were leaving, as if ascending and descending.
How did I get up caught up in this vision? Through deep meditational prayer, through Blessed Mother Mary, she snuck me in under her veil. The site was amazing but blurred. What I can surmise is that the gifts were good- Literally the good we can bring to the Lord. Like worker ants in a sense, yes, but in another sense, like lifeblood, life giving blood that flows in heaven. And it is amazing, for at the heart...is GOD, amazingly powerful, and love gives off light. | Let us pray: " The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the LORD of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory." A song I heard yesterday comes to mind "Let us Go to The Altar" by Schutte. How can we meet the Lord and be caught up in the clouds with Him? Where can we find smoke arising to Heaven in a beautiful smell, as our praises and prayers are raised to Heaven? Where can we meet the Lord in His tent? Where can we see the Glory of God mounted on His throne? The throne of humility and compassion and love, first of God almighty? Where can we be with the Lord and be fed, mind, body, and spirit? Where can we find Him with multitudes of others. In masses...let us go forth to the Lord giving honor and glory! And read this again and listen to the song "Let us Go to the Altar!" | In comes our Lord:
"While he was praying his face changed in appearance
and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah..."
And guess who else joins the conversation? The final words were from our Lord Himself ""This is my chosen Son; listen to him." The chosen one of God. The one with everlasting words of everlasting life! Jesus is the most amazing of all the world. Surpassing all human thought. Never did God's chosen people imagine such a son of Man would exist the way He did. They thought He would be a mighty warrior in wars that would defeat all and everything would be hunky dory. Well, part true. Only, the war that He won is unseen. The hunky dory part is unseen too! Evil was defeated, death no longer had a hold after our Lord mounted the throne. | So what does the transfiguration do for you? What does it mean for you personally?
That is a key question.
We are left thought with words from on High. From the epicenter of Love, Love itself. LISTEN TO HIM.
With all your heart, mind, strength, your very core of your very soul!!! |  hear it read | adrian WOW! Random Bible Verse1
1 John 4:14 (Listen) 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Thank You Jesus | |
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