 clickable | | What It Means to Be Blessed To be blessed, is to know that place of no striving. To be blessed, is to know that place of rest and dignity. To be blessed, is to know that I am loved by a gracious Creator, and that I can own and celebrate my identity—this identity—knowing that it, and it alone, is enough. —from the book This Is the Life: Mindfulness, Finding Grace, and the Power of the Present Moment by Terry Hershey |  MorningOffering.com | † Saint Quote
"Faith and love are like the blind man's guides. They will lead you along a path unknown to you, to the place where God is hidden."
— St. John of the Cross † MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"Therefore, when God gives spiritual comfort, receive it with thanksgiving, but know that it is the bounty of God, not thy merit. Be not puffed up, be not overjoyed, nor vainly presume, but rather be the more humble for this gift and the more cautious and fearful in all thine actions; for this hour will pass away and temptation will follow. When comfort shall be taken away from thee, do not presently despair; but wait with humility and patience for the heavenly visit, for God is able to restore thee a greater consolation. This is no new thing, nor strange to those who have experienced the ways of God: for the great saints and ancient prophets have often felt this kind of variety."
— Thomas à Kempis, p. 64
AN EXCERPT FROM
Imitation of Christ † VERSE OF THE DAY
"Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them."
Psalm 91:14-15 ST. LUKE
St. Luke the Evangelist (1st c.) was a well-educated Greek physician and a native of Antioch in Syria. He was one of the earliest converts to Christianity, believed to have been one of Jesus' seventy disciples. He was a follower of St. Paul the Apostle and spent most of his life evangelizing with him in Asia Minor up until the time of Paul's martyrdom in Rome. Luke wrote a canonical account of his apostolic journeys with Paul (the Book of Acts) as well as a biography on the life of Christ (the Gospel of Luke). The two books of Luke's Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles were originally a single work. The intimate accounts contained in Luke's gospel of the early years of Christ's life (the Visitation, the Nativity, the Presentation, etc.) lead many scholars to believe that one of the eyewitnesses he interviewed was the Blessed Virgin Mary herself. According to tradition he was also a skilled artist and painted the first icons of Our Lady with the Child Jesus. Several of these icons are still venerated today, the most famous of which hangs in the Church of St. Mary Major in Rome. St. Luke is the patron saint of many trades including artists, painters, doctors, surgeons, and bachelors. His feast day is October 18th. |  click to read more | | Saint Luke Saint of the Day for October 18
(d. c. 84) Luke wrote one of the major portions of the New Testament, a two-volume work comprising the third Gospel and Acts of the Apostles. In the two books he shows the parallel between the life of Christ and that of the Church. He is the only Gentile Christian among the Gospel writers. Tradition holds him to be a native of Antioch, and Paul calls him "our beloved physician." His Gospel was probably written between 70 and 85 A.D. Luke appears in Acts during Paul's second journey, remains at Philippi for several years until Paul returns from his third journey, accompanies Paul to Jerusalem, and remains near him when he is imprisoned in Caesarea. During these two years, Luke had time to seek information and interview persons who had known Jesus. He accompanied Paul on the dangerous journey to Rome where he was a faithful companion. Luke's unique character may best be seen by the emphases of his Gospel, which has been given a number of subtitles:
1) The Gospel of Mercy
2) The Gospel of Universal Salvation
3) The Gospel of the Poor
4) The Gospel of Absolute Renunciation
5) The Gospel of Prayer and the Holy Spirit
6) The Gospel of Joy
Reflection Luke wrote as a Gentile for Gentile Christians. His Gospel and Acts of the Apostles reveal his expertise in classic Greek style as well as his knowledge of Jewish sources. There is a warmth to Luke's writing that sets it apart from that of the other synoptic Gospels, and yet it beautifully complements those works. The treasure of the Scriptures is a true gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church.
Saint Luke is the Patron Saint of: Artists/Painters
Brewers
Butchers
Notaries
Physicians/Surgeons | Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist Lectionary: 661
Reading 1 2 Tm 4:10-17b Beloved:
Demas, enamored of the present world,
deserted me and went to Thessalonica,
Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
Luke is the only one with me.
Get Mark and bring him with you,
for he is helpful to me in the ministry.
I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas,
the papyrus rolls, and especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm;
the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
You too be on guard against him,
for he has strongly resisted our preaching. At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,
but everyone deserted me.
May it not be held against them!
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it. Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18 R.(12) Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom. Alleluia See Jn 15:16 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 10:1-9 The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples
whom he sent ahead of him in pairs
to every town and place he intended to visit.
He said to them,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.
Go on your way;
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;
and greet no one along the way.
Into whatever house you enter,
first say, 'Peace to this household.'
If a peaceful person lives there,
your peace will rest on him;
but if not, it will return to you.
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,
for the laborer deserves payment.
Do not move about from one house to another.
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,
eat what is set before you,
cure the sick in it and say to them,
'The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.'" | Catholic Meditations
Meditation: Luke 10:1-9 Saint Luke, Evangelist (Feast) The Kingdom of God is at hand for you. (Luke 10:9) You might know that St. Luke was a physician and a "co-worker" of Paul (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24). But did you know that he was also a historian? Luke, whose feast we celebrate today, was the author of both the Gospel bearing his name and the Acts of the Apostles. In the prologue to his Gospel, Luke tells us that although others had compiled a narration of the events surrounding Jesus' life, "I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence" (1:3). He makes it clear right from the beginning that he isn't just telling fanciful stories. He is telling us that God, in the person of Jesus, has actually come into the world as Savior and Redeemer. And that's the point: we don't believe in a myth; we believe in a God who acts in and through history. First, God revealed himself to the people of Israel and made them his own special people. Then, in "the fullness of time," he sent his Son to save not just Israel but all of humanity (Galatians 4:4). That means that we don't have a God who stays in his own separate realm, making a supernatural visit here and there. No, we have a God who came in the flesh to inaugurate his kingdom here on earth. Acts opens with Jesus' ascension into heaven, but even though it might seem as if Jesus' work is over and done with, he continues to act powerfully. His Holy Spirit descends on the disciples, and they become bold preachers and healers (chapter 2). Jesus appears to Paul on the road to Damascus and changes his life (chapter 9). Paul and his fellow missionaries are miraculously saved from harm on numerous occasions. Luke ends his Book of Acts with chapter 28, with Paul awaiting trial in Rome. But there's still "Acts 29." That unwritten chapter is the story of the countless times God has acted over the centuries in the lives of his people. And the story isn't over. God's kingdom is here, the place where he dwells—and this kingdom is truly at hand! "Father, thank you for allowing me to be a part of the story of God's kingdom breaking into the world!" 2 Timothy 4:10-17
Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18 |  clickable | All of the covenants of the Old Testament -- all of the promises God made to his people -- are fulfilled in the New Covenant of Christ and his Church.
—Scott Hahn
from Salvation History | my2cents:
"At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,
but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them!"
What a powerhouse of a saint, right? What kind of power is in this man? For he says next: "...the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed...". Ever since Paul met Christ, Christ never left Paul's side. Have you met Christ? I bet most reading this have had an encounter. Most here are reading this because of fidelity, an already existing connection with Him. So this message now reads "I Am with You". No matter what you are going through. And what you are going through should be for the LORD! | Let us pray: "Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom. Making known to men your might and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom. Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages, and your dominion endures through all generations." God loves His friends. His friends always talk about Him, wanting to let the world know how awesome this friend is.
So how many friends does God have? Everyone here on earth believes they are right, or just, or even God's friend. But many will be shocked to hear when they die "who are you? Get away from me evildoers". You see, evil has no place in Heaven. What you do matters, every little thing. Even a thought. Whereas many think thoughts don't matter, that's where many things begin. Just like the world began with the thought of God. | "Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves."
And some wolves are disguised as lambs. Evildoers. God sends 72 in pairs, to do what ?
Prepare the way of the Lord. Saint Paul was a man on a mission. It is as if Jesus took over Saul's life. Saul meant Great one. Paul meant least one. You see, when you become less...for God, He becomes more. Is your life completely focused and revolving around God? I'm trying. And some have told me that I'm abandoning family, work, every responsibility. I wonder who whispers those doubts in my head? | So I persevered. Years of doubts and anguish and suffering later, I'm still at it, by the grace of God. Have I lost my job? My Family? No, I've been blessed with more. I really wish everyone would trust in God. What does that mean though? Love God. Love Him intimately, where every beating moment of your heart is all for Him. Is this possible? To one who loves, everything is possible....for Christ Loves and loves to work in us and among us. Ask Him for Good things. Ask for Heavenly guidance and angels and saints to help you on your journey. I am doing it and I believe it is changing the face of the earth. What's more, I still pray for you. I believe so much in you. I rely so much on you. You are very special to me. You are what begins my day and makes my day. It is true. I Love God as much as possible, and more and more. |  hear it read | adrian Random Bible Verse 1
James 1:5–6 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. Thank You Jesus | |
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