What Can We Learn from St. Francis de Sales? Above all else, Francis de Sales had the heart of an apostle. True, he was intellectually gifted, he had an amiable and mild disposition that helped him make friends easily, and he was an effective writer and public speaker. But none of those advantages would have amounted to anything substantial in his mission had he not possessed a burning love for Christ and for his neighbor, a love that radiated and warmed those around him. This wellspring of charity (purely a gift of God's grace) permeated all his actions and animated his every effort to spread the kingdom of Christ. —from the book On a Mission: Lessons from St. Francis de Sales | †Quote
"A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love."
— St. Basil the Great † MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"Scattered about the entire earth, your mother the Church is tormented by the assaults of error. She is also afflicted by the laziness and indifference of so many of the children she carries around in her bosom as well as by the sight of so many of her members growing cold, while she becomes less able to help her little ones. Who then will give her the necessary help she cries for if not her children and other members to whose number you belong?"
— Saint Augustine, p. 90
AN EXCERPT FROM
Augustine Day by Day † VERSE OF THE DAY
"Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds."
Hebrews 10:23-24 |  click to read more | | Saint Francis de Sales (August 21, 1567 – December 28, 1622) Francis was destined by his father to be a lawyer so that the young man could eventually take his elder's place as a senator from the province of Savoy in France. For this reason Francis was sent to Padua to study law. After receiving his doctorate, he returned home and, in due time, told his parents he wished to enter the priesthood. His father strongly opposed Francis in this, and only after much patient persuasiveness on the part of the gentle Francis did his father finally consent. Francis was ordained and elected provost of the Diocese of Geneva, then a center for the Calvinists. Francis set out to convert them, especially in the district of Chablais. By preaching and distributing the little pamphlets he wrote to explain true Catholic doctrine, he had remarkable success. At 35, he became bishop of Geneva. While administering his diocese he continued to preach, hear confessions, and catechize the children. His gentle character was a great asset in winning souls. He practiced his own axiom, "A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar." Besides his two well-known books, the Introduction to the Devout Life and A Treatise on the Love of God, he wrote many pamphlets and carried on a vast correspondence. For his writings, he has been named patron of the Catholic Press. His writings, filled with his characteristic gentle spirit, are addressed to lay people. He wants to make them understand that they too are called to be saints. As he wrote in The Introduction to the Devout Life: "It is an error, or rather a heresy, to say devotion is incompatible with the life of a soldier, a tradesman, a prince, or a married woman…. It has happened that many have lost perfection in the desert who had preserved it in the world." In spite of his busy and comparatively short life, he had time to collaborate with another saint, Jane Frances de Chantal, in the work of establishing the Sisters of the Visitation. These women were to practice the virtues exemplified in Mary's visit to Elizabeth: humility, piety, and mutual charity. They at first engaged to a limited degree in works of mercy for the poor and the sick. Today, while some communities conduct schools, others live a strictly contemplative life.
Reflection Francis de Sales took seriously the words of Christ, "Learn of me for I am meek and humble of heart." As he said himself, it took him 20 years to conquer his quick temper, but no one ever suspected he had such a problem, so overflowing with good nature and kindness was his usual manner of acting. His perennial meekness and sunny disposition won for him the title of "Gentleman Saint."
Saint Francis de Sales is the Patron Saint of: Authors
Deafness
Journalists
Writers | Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Reading 1 Heb 7:25—8:6 Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him,
since he lives forever to make intercession for them. It was fitting that we should have such a high priest:
holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners,
higher than the heavens.
He has no need, as did the high priests,
to offer sacrifice day after day,
first for his own sins and then for those of the people;
he did that once for all when he offered himself.
For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests,
but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law,
appoints a son, who has been made perfect forever. The main point of what has been said is this:
we have such a high priest,
who has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne
of the Majesty in heaven, a minister of the sanctuary
and of the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up.
Now every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices;
thus the necessity for this one also to have something to offer.
If then he were on earth, he would not be a priest,
since there are those who offer gifts according to the law.
They worship in a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary,
as Moses was warned when he was about to erect the tabernacle.
For God says, "See that you make everything
according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."
Now he has obtained so much more excellent a ministry
as he is mediator of a better covenant,
enacted on better promises. Responsorial Psalm Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17
R. (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, "Behold I come."
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
"In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!"
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
May all who seek you
exult and be glad in you,
And may those who love your salvation
say ever, "The LORD be glorified."
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. Alleluia See 2 Tm 1:10
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 3:7-12 Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.
A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.
Hearing what he was doing,
a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem,
from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan,
and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.
He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd,
so that they would not crush him.
He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases
were pressing upon him to touch him.
And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him
and shout, "You are the Son of God."
He warned them sternly not to make him known. | Meditation: Mark 3:7-12 Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Memorial) He warned them sternly not to make him known. (Mark 3:12) Can you imagine trying to keep a huge, exciting secret under wraps? That is exactly what Jesus was doing. As the Messiah, he came to bring healing, a new reign, and redemption, but he knew that the people would have a hard time understanding that the blessings would be released only after his death and resurrection. That's why it was so important to keep his "messianic secret" until the right moment. Otherwise, people might get so caught up in the miracles that they would lose sight of his long-term goal of redemption through the cross. Well, the secret is out now. Sin has been defeated, and death has lost its sting. But at the same time, Jesus remains a mystery to us. He still surprises us with the depths of his kindness and compassion. We have only begun to scratch the surface of what it means that he is both completely just and completely merciful. How can he both be sovereign over all creation and yet still hear and answer our prayers? Every day, Jesus invites us to learn a bit more of the mystery of who he is. It is as if we sat down with a tapestry needle and a piece of white fabric. As we glimpse his love, we start to make stitches in one color. But then the color shifts as we feel him convicting us of our sins. It may change again when he gives us new strength to weather a difficult time in our lives. Over time, our plain fabric starts to fill with a picture. This picture doesn't develop only through prayer and study. Day after day, in situation after situation, it can become clearer and more detailed. Every time we try to yield to God's laws or listen for his Spirit's promptings, we learn a little bit more. As time passes, we can look back and see how our image of God has changed and filled out. Today, think about one facet of God—maybe his mercy, his love, or his patience. How has your perspective on that facet changed or deepened over the years? Spend some time contemplating this aspect of your heavenly Father. Then praise him for revealing himself to you! "Jesus, I want to know you more." Hebrews 7:25–8:6
Psalm 40:7-10, 17 | 2cents:
Today's 1st Holy Scripture ends with "Now he has obtained so much more excellent a ministry as he is mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises." God always makes promises. What's good about His promises is that they are everlasting. He made a whole new promise, a whole new temple, a whole new commandment added. Very simple. Himself who is love. MAN! I wish we understood this new promise. It would be truly revolutionary. Seriously. Take it from a guy heavily involved in all sorts of ministries and trying to be faithful to God...Love. | Let us Pray! "Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not; then said I, "Behold I come." So many come here, to read about God's will. It's very simple my friends and family, we just prayed it again, but for a third time here it goes: "I come to do YOUR will God...Ears open to OBEDIENCE". And what was that NEW Law Jesus gave? Love God above all, and love one another. That's it? Yep. But, it just doesn't happen my dear loved one. Why we don't love God with all our hearts minds and souls and strength, that is the question for one to ask. What ministries do you do anyway Mr. Adrian, Mr. Holy Wannabe? Here is a short list: My Family, my vocation. Music in various, funerals, weddings, retreats, choirs. Prisoners retreats. Mens Retreats. Family Retreats. Parish council. CCD Teacher, for freshmen. RCIA Teacher. Helping orphans. Helping one man in nursing home. So, there, in a nutshell, a handful of things I do normally. There are other things not mentioned. So I have a bit of intuition on reaching out to people in ministries. IF, and only IF, people would love God truly, I see and I say, His will would be evident in your life. It becomes more clear. But, if we veer from His commands, His will gets blurred. And you have been reminded of His commands. | In the Holy Gospel, the one that is the New Covenant in the New Testament, although evident throughout the Old Testament, He comes to do His, and Our Father's will. That was His whole sign. The sign of Jonah. Either obey or not. If you put things on hold for Jesus, that is a flat out NO. When people say to me "I'll think about it" when I invite them, that means "NO". Because it is not a Yes. Many in the world want to live in the middle. My loved one, now is not the time to live neutral. Forget government and politics for a moment. It all begins with you. Your desires. We are the Church. If you need a sign of hope, then YOU be that sign of hope. If you want to experience mercy, then YOU be that mercy first. If you want to see light in the world, then YOU be that light. People flocked to Jesus for healing. Thousands. The more He revealed Himself, the more people wanted Him, to devour Him. So, in obedience, He lets Himself be devoured by hungry souls. Eucharist. Healings always come first, and then feedings. See a priest. If you are sick in the head or physically, go to a priest first. Then consider taking the Eucharist. So many want to be fed without healing. But that's not the way it should be. To be properly fed, we need to be healed. Heal your stomach. Heal your heart. Then, food will be more effective.
Why are things always the same? Why are you plateaued in your faith? Why have you come to lose faith, rather than to increase faith? Why are you not growing spiritually? In Heaven, there are giants. Evil does not exist. Not like here. That is why Saint John, a most pure and holy soul, was called the Least in Heaven. What is a spiritual Giant? One example is angels, archangels, yes, but one we can relate to is Mother Mary. Think obedience. Think holiness. What is a destructor in our ministries? I see people talking with disgusting hearts. If you only knew what damage this does. Watch what you say! For your own souls' sake! People that take the Eucharist and profane one another. How the church operates in the world, I can only say this: It is a miracle. Financially, runs on miracles, spiritually, pure miracles. So people flocked to Jesus, for miracles. For something to happen that could never happen anywhere else. So why don't people flock to confession for a miracle of grace? Why don't we seek the healer, for anointing of the sick?
One great reason; people have made the priest a stranger. The Father a stranger. A priest has authority over evils. Our priests need our most love and support, for they can grow spiritually with us and we can help them be saints with tremendous love and support. "And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, "You are the Son of God." What am I claiming here? Victory. Why is there so much rampant evil on the rise? If we don't watch it, a dictator will be running for office. Power grabs are all the rage. Why? Egos. What will happen is that we will get what we want. Barrabas, Mammon, or Jesus. A king, or The KING. You see, it boils down to obedience again, to self, or to Him.
And we are designed to be givers, but twisted, we become takers.
Jesus and Mary and the saints are givers.
My advice, for you who are in any ministry: Learn to be givers.
Give a break to knuckleheads. Turn the cheek, and then another cheek, and then turn it again and again. Love the sinner, not the sin.
The world is imperfect, but God is perfect. Remember we are called to be perfect.
If Jesus came to heal a broken world, it means He came for you. You weren't born for the world, you were born for His eyes to see you. Greater love does not exist than God's love for a soul.
Is Heaven hard to enter? Yes, for a hardened sinner.
Is Heaven easy to enter? Yes, for a blameless soul.
So who will enter? Jesus says this, to all who obey all the commandments, and want to make sure they enter Heaven: "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to [the] poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
YIKES! Following the commandments perfectly is not all!
In comes Love. That little question of obedience. That of Loving God above all and one another.
And still Jesus holds out His hand: Follow Me |  Listen to this verse, Chosen while Writing to you, randomly TODAY | adrian
1 Thes 5:22
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.…" | |
