 clickable | | What Is a Mystic? The mystics cultivate awareness. They listen for God's word; they respond with concrete, often heroic, actions when they hear it. A mystic, then, is one who shows the rest of us who we really are, who we can become, if only we would realize the gift of God that is already within us and respond in our concrete daily lives to God's great gift of love. The mystic shows us how not to let God's word return to God empty. The mystic uncovers the mystery, a mystery inside each one of us, and models what it looks like and what it accomplishes. In all of this it is important to remember that God takes the initiative—both in the ordinary believer's life and in the mystic's life. One cannot force God's hand or woo God to make one a mystic. But once that initiative is taken, the mystic's heart is changed, and he or she falls in love with God. —from the book Mystics: Twelve Who Reveal God's Love by Murry Bodo, OFM |  MorningOffering.com | † Saint Quote
"Don't spend your energies on things that generate worry, anxiety and anguish. Only one thing is necessary: Lift up your spirit, and love God."
— St. Padre Pio † MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"We should recall that no man is an island, entire of itself. Our lives are involved with one another, through innumerable interactions they are linked together. No one lives alone. No one sins alone. No one is saved alone. The lives of others continually spill over into mine: in what I think, say, and do, and achieve. And conversely, my life spills over into that of others: for better or for worse. So my prayer for another is not something extraneous to that person, something external, not even after death."
— Pope Benedict XVI
AN EXCERPT FROM
Pope Benedict XVI † VERSE OF THE DAY
"In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory."
Ephesians 1:13-14 |  click to read more | | ST. ALPHONSUS RODRIGUEZ Tragedy and challenge beset today's saint early in life, but Alphonsus Rodriguez found happiness and contentment through simple service and prayer. Born in Spain in 1533, Alphonsus inherited the family textile business at 23. Within the space of three years, his wife, daughter, and mother died; meanwhile, business was poor. Alphonsus stepped back and reassessed his life. He sold the business, and with his young son, moved into his sister's home. There he learned the discipline of prayer and meditation. At the death of his son years later, Alphonsus, almost 40 by then, sought to join the Jesuits. He was not helped by his poor education. He applied twice before being admitted. For 45 years he served as doorkeeper at the Jesuits' college in Majorca. When not at his post, he was almost always at prayer, though he often encountered difficulties and temptations. His holiness and prayerfulness attracted many to him, including Saint Peter Claver, then a Jesuit seminarian. Alphonsus' life as doorkeeper may have been humdrum, but centuries later he caught the attention of poet and fellow-Jesuit Gerard Manley Hopkins, who made him the subject of one of his poems. Alphonsus died in 1617. He is the patron saint of Majorca.
Reflection We like to think that God rewards the good, even in this life. But Alphonsus knew business losses, painful bereavement, and periods when God seemed very distant. None of his suffering made him withdraw into a shell of self-pity or bitterness. Rather, he reached out to others who lived with pain, including enslaved Africans. Among the many notables at his funeral were the sick and poor people whose lives he had touched. May they find such a friend in us!
Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez is the Patron Saint of: Majorca | Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 481
Reading 1 Rom 8:26-30 Brothers and sisters:
The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
And the one who searches hearts
knows what is the intention of the Spirit,
because he intercedes for the holy ones
according to God's will. We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
For those he foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son,
so that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers.
And those he predestined he also called;
and those he called he also justified;
and those he justified he also glorified. Responsorial Psalm Ps 13:4-5, 6 R.(6a) My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.
Look, answer me, O LORD, my God!
Give light to my eyes that I may not sleep in death
lest my enemy say, "I have overcome him";
lest my foes rejoice at my downfall.
R. My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.
Though I trusted in your mercy,
Let my heart rejoice in your salvation;
let me sing of the LORD, "He has been good to me."
R. My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy. Alleluia See 2 Thes 2:14 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 13:22-30 Jesus passed through towns and villages,
teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
"Lord, will only a few people be saved?"
He answered them,
"Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
'Lord, open the door for us.'
He will say to you in reply,
'I do not know where you are from.'
And you will say,
'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.'
Then he will say to you,
'I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!'
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last." | Catholic Meditations
Meditation: Romans 8:26-30 30th Week in Ordinary Time All things work for good for those who love God. (Romans 8:28) Have you ever been tempted to question Paul's assertion that God is always working for your good? If we're honest, most of us would probably say yes. There are plenty of things in life that don't make sense and don't seem to be working for our benefit. That's especially true when we are suffering or watching a loved one struggle. We don't know why God allows people to suffer. But we do know this: when Jesus became a human being like us, he experienced temptation, rejection, and loneliness, just as we do. He knew the heaviness of grief and a troubled heart. He suffered physical discomforts like hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and of course, he suffered both physical and mental agony in his passion and death. It's immensely comforting to know that Jesus understands exactly what we are going through because he has been through it before. It shows us that God loved us enough to share our burdens and pains. He didn't just rescue us from his safe spot in heaven; he came down to live among us to show that we are not alone. But as wonderful as this truth is, it's not the end of the story. Just as Jesus has tasted our human suffering, he has also gone before us in his resurrection. He has opened the gates of heaven for us so that we can be in a place where there will be no more pain or sorrow. When we finally see God face-to-face, we will no longer question his love for us or his purposes for our lives. All will be revealed, and it will be wonderful! That's why Paul could write this now-famous line in his letter to the Romans. He suffered pain, sorrow, and rejection as he preached the gospel. But he also saw the end goal: life in heaven with God forever. So even if you never see any good coming from the difficulties and sorrows in your life, believe that God really has the ultimate good in store for you. Believe that even your most painful memories in this life will fade in the bright light of heavenly glory when you are enveloped in the awesome love of God. "Lord, thank you for always having my good in mind." Psalm 13:4-6
Luke 13:22-30 |  clickable | The heart knows that when you go to Heaven, you're perfected in knowledge. We shall know fully even as we are fully known. Our knowledge is perfected, our love is perfected, and our holiness is perfected. All of this only tells us our prayers are even more powerful [in Heaven].
—Jason Evert
from What's So Great About Being Catholic? | my2cents:
"We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose."
There are in our world, your world, many who are "lost". And the numbers seem to be on the rise. They don't seem to have a sense of direction. Even many of those in church seem somewhat lost. And what direction am I speaking of? You know very well...the Way. | Let us pray: "Look, answer me, O LORD, my God! Give light to my eyes that I may not sleep in death lest my enemy say, "I have overcome him";
lest my foes rejoice at my downfall. My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy." There was a time in my life, when praying the rosary was very difficult. Going to Mass was out of obligation and seemed to have no real meaning. And an hour of silent adoration seemed like a far fetched idea that never really crossed my mind, no need. And I don't believe I was every really introduced to daily Mass as a child. All that has changed. Adoration is the focus of my life. It starts my month. A rosary is a prayer I turn to and daily is my goal. Adoration and daily Mass came naturally. Confessions to MY priest, not searching for various priests to try out, is now a normal thing. Keep in mind though, none of these are easy to me. It is a daily challenge, a struggle even at times. But what comes forth from tenacity, this work, this daily striving, becomes fruit. And the fruit is love, and not my love, but the Love of God. | In the Holy Gospel, our Lord speaks:
"Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough." What gate? What door? A shepherd's gate? Heaven's door? Why are people knocking and Jesus not opening? Doesn't scripture say "knock and it shall be opened?". Pay attention to what you are asking for, both now and forever. Will many be saved? There have been varying opinions on this. Some say Heaven is pretty full, and some say Heaven is pretty empty. What concern is it of yours, except to be strong enough to enter the narrow gate! | In my world, I notice there is much weakness. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Too weak to pray. Too weak to go to church. Too weak to be involved in ministries. Too weak to spread the Gospel. Too weak to sing. Too weak to praise. Too weak to dance for the Lord. Too weak to raise their hands in war. Too weak to walk. Too weak to fight. Too weak to speak. But there are some that are strong, in faith. These people are able to spread the Good news. They are able to walk to Church and sing and praise, raising not only their hands...but their hearts to God. You see? There is a difference. So are the weaklings locked out of Heaven's door? Pay attention.
Our Lord said "Depart from me, all you evildoers!'
What does this say about Heaven? What does this say about our Lord's will and desire for humans on earth?
It speaks volumes. In Heaven, there is no evil doing. In Heaven, it is all about our Lord's will. It is a reverse invitation then for us, to pay attention and stay away from evil. Some asked me last night at the Life Center banquet raising money for pro-life awareness, education, and saving unborn babies, "are yall going to celebrate Halloween, go trick or treating". I said no. I want me and my children to stay far away from evil. It is enough trying to keep it away with TV and internet and radio, why go out and see it glorified on the streets, with haunted houses and witches and devils? Why give it even more attention and even celebrating THAT! Keep in mind, I've done my fair share of listening to the "Catholic roots" of "All Hallow's Eve". But it has turned rotten like spoiled Christmas. All Gifts and nothing to celebrate JESUS on CHRIST-mass day. A Holy Day of Obligation, like November 1st for ALL SAINTS and nobody hardly goes. It's bizarre how things get twisted, turned pagan, turned selfish, and this on the days we are to celebrate giving of oneself...to be a saint...to die for Christ all for the will of God. I can only compare this to Mardi-Gras, a huge mess is made, and nobody really is turning their lives to Christ in full surrender for Lent, at least for 40 days. Evil doers galore! Evil doers are left and right. And I've been a part of that cohort. I've been part of those masses instead of being in Holy Masses. Saints. All things Jesus.
Jesus rejects evil by rejecting evil doers.
Be a saint then. That is the only alternative. Unless you believe the protestant lies "do whatever you want, Jesus paid the price anyways". NO! God hates something called evil. He vehemently hates it! He hates the evil you do. Yet...He loves you. How does that work out? Like a rotten child, you can't hate them, but you can hate what they do, right? Would you let your drug addicted and violent thief in your house...your own child? No. Not even many earthly parents can do this. Neither does God want this in His house.
He does want YOU but not the evil part of you.
So are we stuck? Nope, not as long as we have a breath called prayer.
Now is always the appropriate time for Divine Mercy.
We watched the new movie Monday night about Divine Mercy with Sister Faustina "Love and Mercy". The theater was full. I sat by a young man, maybe 14 years old, dressed all black, with a black hoodie sweater and had the black hoodie on over his head in the dark theater,slouched, I could tell by his body language he was forced to sit there. Not even halfway into the movie, the kid is snoring. I had much trouble with this. Watching a movie about Divine Mercy and me being perturbed by this "obnoxious" kid. I had to turn my wretched guts into a heart as my dad says in spanish "hacer de tripas corazon". I said an inner prayer for him, for God to have mercy on him, for him not to be led astray into darkness. I am zealous, right? But there is a stark difference between Saul and Paul. Saul hated non-followers, and Paul loved future followers. Hate evil, not the people.
Simple message right? I wish it was so easy to do, because evil and doers are intertwined, like the body and soul. How can one raze and rebuild?
How can one destroy and rebuild one's temple?
It is a daily dying and rising my friend. Welcome to the cross of things. The crux of the matter.
I plead you to find mercy and grace and never let go.
Oh, and by the way, the kid woke up a few minutes after my mercy prayer. He never went back to sleep. Allbeit, the movie was half documentary, big words and stuff. I have hope now..because I delve into Mercy. God have mercy on our souls...ALL SOULS |  hear it read | adrian Random Bible Verse 1
Proverbs 28:6 6 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
.... ... Random from book IMITATION OF CHRIST:
You know that our enemy, the devil, uses every means he can to keep you from your good works and your prayer life-namely, from the worship you owe to Me and the veneration of the Saints, from meditating on My Passion, from the profitable reflection on your sins, from keeping watch over your heart and from a firm resolve to advance in virtue.
This fiend will suggest many idle and evil thoughts to draw you away from prayer and weary you with spiritual reading and other good works. A humble confession is obnoxious to him and, if he can, he will prevent you from receiving Holy Communion. Do not believe him, and pay no attention to him no matter how often he tries to trap you.
Turn this malice against him, saying to him: Begone Satan, you wicked spirit, and be ashamed, for you are foul to suggest such things to me. Depart from me father of lies. You shall have no hold on me; for Jesus Christ, my Savior, is with me as my valiant defender, and you shall be put to flight in utter confusion.
I would rather die in torment than give in to you. Be silent and cease your malice, for I will not listen to you no matter how much you tempt me.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? Even if an army encamps against me, my heart will not succumb to fear. You are my help and my deliverer. (Pss 27:1,3; 40:18) 5.) FIGHT ON like a good soldier; and if sometimes through weakness you fall, get up again and with greater strength than before, trust in My abundant Grace. But be on your guard against self-complacency and pride; for it is through these that many are led into error, and sometimes into an almost incurable blindness of soul.
Let the downfall of those who foolishly rely on themselves be a warning to you and keep you humble. Thank You Jesus | |
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