 clickable | | Unabashed Joy Is Already Inside of Us Let us pause and remember that savoring isn't something you add or acquire. Unabashed joy is already inside. It springs from within. It is a well of abundance that you draw from. So, savoring is not a technique. And savoring is never an end unto itself. It is always fueled by gratitude. And gratitude lights up our senses. We enter into, we show up to the needs and cares of this day. I suppose that it's a chicken or egg scenario. And which comes first, I'm not sure. I do know that savoring makes space for gratitude. And gratitude begets savoring. Either way, we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of the present. —from the book This Is the Life: Mindfulness, Finding Grace, and the Power of the Present Moment by Terry Hershey |  MorningOffering.com | † Saint Quote
"Our perfection does not consist of doing extraordinary things, but to do the ordinary well."
— St. Gabriel Possenti † MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"No human motive should lead us to pray: neither routine, nor the habit of doing as others do, nor a thirst for spiritual consolations. No, we should go to prayer to render homage to God. It is not, however, a common-place visit of propriety, nor a conversation without any precise object; we want to obtain from Him some definite spiritual good, such or such progress in the uprooting of some vice, in the acquisition of some virtue. We have, therefore, a purpose upon which we are bent, and all our considerations, affections, petitions, and resolutions should combine for its attainment. God is there, surrounding us and penetrating us; but we were not, perhaps, thinking of this. We must, therefore, withdraw our powers from the things of the earth, gather them together, and fix them upon God; thus it is we place ourselves in His presence. Naturally, we approach Him by saluting Him with a profound and humble act of adoration. In presence of so much greatness and holiness, the soul perceives herself to be little and miserable; she humbles herself, purifies herself by an act of sorrow; apologizes for daring to approach a being of so lofty a majesty. Powerless to pray as she should, she represents her incapacity to God, and begs the Holy Ghost to help her to pray well."
— Rev. Dom Vitalis Lehodey, p. 91
AN EXCERPT FROM
The Ways of Mental Prayer VERSE OF THE DAY
"Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing."
John 15:4-5 |  click to read more | | ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH St. Ignatius of Antioch (d. c. 98-117) was a Syrian who became a disciple of St. John the Apostle. Tradition holds that he was the infant whom Jesus took in his arms, saying, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me" as recounted in Mark's Gospel. St. Ignatius was a pagan convert to Christianity and succeeded St. Peter the Apostle as the third bishop of Antioch, being ordained by St. Peter himself. He was an important Church Father of the Apostolic age, an ideal pastor, and a fearless soldier of Christ. He was tireless in supporting his flock against dangerous heresies and the terrors of the persecutions of the Roman Emperors. When Ignatius violated the imperial edict to worship false gods, he was arrested and led before Emperor Trajan. After boldly proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ, he was condemned to be devoured by wild beasts for public sport in the Roman Colosseum. On his journey from Syria to Rome he wrote many letters to his fellow Christians, encouraging them with his apostolic zeal and exhorting them to obey their bishops. He also pleaded that none try to obtain his release, as he was eager to lay down his life for Jesus, saying, "The only thing I ask of you is to allow me to offer the libation of my blood to God. I am the wheat of the Lord; may I be ground by the teeth of the beasts to become the immaculate bread of Christ." He was devoured by lions in Rome in the early second century. St. Ignatius of Antioch is the first to have used the term "Catholic" Church, meaning "Universal." His feast day is October 17th. ........................
Some more....
Ignatius is well known for the seven letters he wrote on the long journey from Antioch to Rome. Five of these letters are to churches in Asia Minor; they urge the Christians there to remain faithful to God and to obey their superiors. He warns them against heretical doctrines, providing them with the solid truths of the Christian faith. The sixth letter was to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, who was later martyred for the faith. The final letter begs the Christians in Rome not to try to stop his martyrdom. "The only thing I ask of you is to allow me to offer the libation of my blood to God. I am the wheat of the Lord; may I be ground by the teeth of the beasts to become the immaculate bread of Christ." Ignatius bravely met the lions in the Circus Maximus.
Reflection Ignatius's great concern was for the unity and order of the Church. Even greater was his willingness to suffer martyrdom rather than deny his Lord Jesus Christ. He did not draw attention to his own suffering, but to the love of God which strengthened him. He knew the price of commitment and would not deny Christ, even to save his own life. | Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr Reading 1 Rom 3:21-30 Brothers and sisters:
Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law,
though testified to by the law and the prophets,
the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ
for all who believe.
For there is no distinction;
all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.
They are justified freely by his grace
through the redemption in Christ Jesus,
whom God set forth as an expiation,
through faith, by his Blood, to prove his righteousness
because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed,
through the forbearance of God–
to prove his righteousness in the present time,
that he might be righteous
and justify the one who has faith in Jesus. What occasion is there then for boasting? It is ruled out.
On what principle, that of works?
No, rather on the principle of faith.
For we consider that a person is justified by faith
apart from works of the law.
Does God belong to Jews alone?
Does he not belong to Gentiles, too?
Yes, also to Gentiles, for God is one
and will justify the circumcised on the basis of faith
and the uncircumcised through faith. Responsorial Psalm Ps 130:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6ab R. (7) With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to my voice in supplication.
R. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.
If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,
Lord, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness,
that you may be revered.
R. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.
I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the LORD
more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
R. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption. Alleluia Jn 14:6 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 11:47-54 The Lord said:
"Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets
whom your fathers killed.
Consequently, you bear witness and give consent
to the deeds of your ancestors,
for they killed them and you do the building.
Therefore, the wisdom of God said,
'I will send to them prophets and Apostles;
some of them they will kill and persecute'
in order that this generation might be charged
with the blood of all the prophets
shed since the foundation of the world,
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah
who died between the altar and the temple building.
Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood!
Woe to you, scholars of the law!
You have taken away the key of knowledge.
You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter."
When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees
began to act with hostility toward him
and to interrogate him about many things,
for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say. | Catholic Meditations
Meditation: Luke 11:47-54
Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr (Memorial) You have taken away the key of knowledge. (Luke 11:52) Scribes played an important role in first-century Judaism. They copied sacred texts like the Torah and the Talmud. Because of the importance of these texts, their work had to be meticulous. If their copies contained any errors on three or more pages, the entire scroll had to be redone. If even two letters touched each other, the document could be declared invalid. But scribes not only transcribed text. They also interpreted the Law, took on the role of judges at times, and wrote their own commentaries on the texts. It's ironic, then, that Jesus reprimands these "scholars of the law" in today's Gospel for missing the entire point of Scripture (Luke 11:46). The scribes were supposed to hold "the key of knowledge" that would open the door to a deeper understanding of God's word (11:52). But they failed to use that key, either for themselves or for the people. Here was the Messiah standing right in front of them, and these men refused to recognize him. Now, we don't have to be learned scholars to understand the Scriptures. What's more, we have all been given a kind of "key of knowledge" at our baptism—the Holy Spirit. It's the Spirit's role to take the words that we read on the page and write them on our hearts. Even when we read the same passage many times over, the Spirit can make new and different words, phrases, and meanings jump out at us. We just have to be willing to carve out a time and a quiet place so that this can happen. If you don't do so already, get into the habit of calling on the Spirit when you open your Bible. Just pray, "Come, Holy Spirit" several times slowly and quietly. Then choose a passage and read it prayerfully. While you may not be moved by everything you read, over time the Spirit will unlock more and more of God's word for you. He may even lead you to join a Bible study or give you insights through your Bible's footnotes or a good commentary. God is so good to us! He has graciously provided us with a "key" that will open up treasures that will last a lifetime. "Holy Spirit, guide me today and every day as I pray with God's word." Romans 3:21-30
Psalm 130:1-6 |  clickable | The Catholic Church is the culmination of salvation history and the fulfillment of God's covenant with his people in the Old Testament.
—Scott Hahn
from Salvation History | my2cents:
"For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law."
Justification seems to be a big word. Just who does the justifying though? Right? It is the Lord. We can not justify ourselves, we are too inadequate, we need His righteousness, His justice, and for that...He gave us His blood. That is the ink of the Word of God. Our Lord did not write a letter, for He IS the Letter. If I've learned much, today, I've been granted a gift to say...I've learned little to nothing at all, and much is yet to come. For the Glory of God. And the invitation is extended to you. To be open to the Word, the seed, and therefore, the sower. This is why the first book of the bible begins with a man, and a seed, and life that comes to be. And the final book is that of eternity. All along the inside is the beauty of God's revelation. If He had anything else to say, it would open up a whole new bible, as if this one were not enough! | "With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption. If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,
Lord, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness,
that you may be revered."
It's almost like sweet and sour, the Word. It is said in Revelation 10:9 "So I took the small scroll from the angel's hand and ate it; and it was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned bitter.…" And the following verse says it all "And they told me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples and nations and tongues and kings." | In the Gospel today, our Lord and our King spoke "Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed."
Again with the WOE! Did God come into the world to tell us "Woe!" like when we tell a horse to whoa! I have to say that word when the horse must stop, or is getting out of control. The course of faith was at stake...the course of mankind. They say in Luke 18:8 "I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?". The Son of Man came, and He found faith. He instilled eternal faith in the world, and, I'd say and not the smallest letter of His Word shall be moved until He returns in the Parousia, the second coming. Yes there will be faith. But will it be the kind of faith He desires? Will it be watered down? Will it be dim? Or will it be on fire? | "'I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute'." In our country, prophets exist. The Apostles exist. Want to know where? Bishops are extensions of Apostles, Priests are prophets too. But there are lay people as prophets too, and must carry that priestly duty to the fulfillment it was created to be. Are these priests slain? Are they persecuted? I don't like to tune into the drama of daily news, especially that of politics, and I did one or two snips, one spoke of the bigotry that some presidential candidates are turning to. These bigots, in the name of "human rights", want abortion and homosexual promiscuity to be the rule of the world. Sounds awkward. Human rights. What about the right of God's word? And so, in the name of "human rights" the candidates say they will basically persecute any religious entity by first taxing them, punishment, and after that...human rights will trump faith rights. It is a ploy that is deployed. In the church militant, we must be aware of what is at stake. Will there be bloodshed once again, like when Today's Saint was forced to choose faith or death? How have we come to this point? Bishop Sheen said once "first comes nudity, then comes violence" as in the first book of the Bible. Will Jesus come and find faith?
Or will we live like the protestant saying 'faith alone' works not needed?
We can not live watered down and sitting down. We must be on the march. And this march calls for leaders, of prayer and humility, and of great charity.
Be first charitable with your heart, your mouth, your ears, your body, as Christ is with us. Giving always His ALL...every last drop.... |  hear it read | adrian Random Bible Verse 1
Ecclesiastes 7:8 8 Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Thank You Jesus | |
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