 clickable | | Who We Are before God One of St. Francis's most telling bits of wisdom comes to us in one of his twenty-three Admonitions. St. Francis traveled around to communities of his brother friars in the early thirteenth century. On one such occasion, while speaking to a group of men who had chosen to leave their previous ways of living to follow the gospel according to St. Francis, he said: "What you are before God, that you are and nothing more." St. Francis knew that what we needed to do to see ourselves as we truly are is to look at ourselves with the eyes of God. How does one see that inherent dignity, that unique identity that makes up our True Self? One looks in the mirror of the soul with the eyes of the loving God who created each of us as he or she really is. No more, no less. What looking at ourselves as God does provides us with is an honest look at each person as uniquely brought into this world in love. —from Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis |  clickable: The Following is from MorningOffering | | †Quote
"Love is the most beautiful sentiment the Lord has put into the soul of men and women."
— St. Gianna Molla † MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"Jesus trembled and shuddered as He stood before the pillar, and took off His garments as quickly as He could, but His hands were bloody and swollen. The only return He made when His brutal executioners struck and abused Him was to pray for them in the most touching manner: He turned His face once toward His Mother, who was standing overcome with grief; this look quite unnerved her: she fainted, and would have fallen, had not the holy women who were there supported her. Jesus put His arms around the pillar, and when His hands were thus raised, the archers fastened them to the iron ring which was at the top of the pillar; they then dragged His arms to such a height that His feet, which were tightly bound to the base of the pillar, scarcely touched the ground. Thus was the Holy of Holies violently stretched, without a particle of clothing, on a pillar used for the punishment of criminals; and then did two furious ruffians who were thirsting for His blood begin in the most barbarous manner to scourge His sacred body from head to foot."
— Bl. Anne Cathrine Emmerich, p. 218-9
AN EXCERPT FROM
The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ † VERSE OF THE DAY
"O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name."
Psalm 63:1-4 |  click to read more | | Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows (March 1, 1838 – February 27, 1862) Born in Italy into a large family and baptized Francis, Saint Gabriel lost his mother when he was only four years old. He was educated by the Jesuits and, having been cured twice of serious illnesses, came to believe that God was calling him to the religious life. Young Francis wished to join the Jesuits but was turned down, probably because of his age, not yet 17. Following the death of a sister to cholera, his resolve to enter religious life became even stronger and he was accepted by the Passionists. Upon entering the novitiate he was given the name Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. Ever popular and cheerful, Gabriel quickly was successful in his effort to be faithful in little things. His spirit of prayer, love for the poor, consideration of the feelings of others, exact observance of the Passionist Rule as well as his bodily penances—always subject to the will of his wise superiors— made a deep impression on everyone. His superiors had great expectations of Gabriel as he prepared for the priesthood, but after only four years of religious life symptoms of tuberculosis appeared. Ever obedient, he patiently bore the painful effects of the disease and the restrictions it required, seeking no special notice. He died peacefully on February 27, 1862, at age 24, having been an example to both young and old. Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows was canonized in 1920.
Reflection When we think of achieving great holiness by doing little things with love and grace, Therese of Lisieux comes first to mind. Like her, Gabriel died painfully from tuberculosis. Together they urge us to tend to the small details of daily life, to be considerate of others' feelings every day. Our path to sanctity, like theirs, probably lies not in heroic doings but in performing small acts of kindness every day.
Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows is the Patron Saint of: Clergy
Students
Young People | Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time Reading 1 Sir 4:11-19 Wisdom breathes life into her children
and admonishes those who seek her.
He who loves her loves life;
those who seek her will be embraced by the Lord.
He who holds her fast inherits glory;
wherever he dwells, the LORD bestows blessings.
Those who serve her serve the Holy One;
those who love her the LORD loves.
He who obeys her judges nations;
he who hearkens to her dwells in her inmost chambers.
If one trusts her, he will possess her;
his descendants too will inherit her.
She walks with him as a stranger
and at first she puts him to the test;
Fear and dread she brings upon him
and tries him with her discipline
until she try him by her laws and trust his soul.
Then she comes back to bring him happiness
and reveal her secrets to them
and she will heap upon him
treasures of knowledge and an understanding of justice.
But if he fails her, she will abandon him
and deliver him into the hands of despoilers. Responsorial Psalm Ps 119:165, 168, 171, 172, 174, 175
R. (165a) O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
Those who love your law have great peace,
and for them there is no stumbling block.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
I keep your precepts and your decrees,
for all my ways are before you.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
My lips pour forth your praise,
because you teach me your statutes.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
May my tongue sing of your promise,
for all your commands are just.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
Let my soul live to praise you,
and may your ordinances help me.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law. 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 Mk 9:38-40 John said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us."
| Meditation: Mark 9:38-40 7th Week in Ordinary Time In my name . . . (Mark 9:39) John and the other disciples were missing the point. Alarmed that a stranger was using Jesus' name to cast out demons, they tried to stop him. Why wasn't their first reaction gratitude? Or joy? Or awe and wonder? Jesus' power is so great that even someone who didn't belong to their band of followers could perform a mighty deed just by calling on his name! Sometimes we miss the point as well—but in a slightly different way. We miss out on the grace available to us when we pray in the name of Jesus. God has given Jesus authority over all of heaven and earth, and Jesus promised that in the authority of his name all of his followers can work wonders (Matthew 28:18; Mark 16:17-18). He even promised, "Whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you" (John 16:23). Just like the man in today's Gospel, you can pray in the name of Jesus when you sense the presence of evil. Remember, the evil one loves to harass those who belong to Christ. As the father of lies, he can cause us to feel guilt and shame when we have already been forgiven. As the accuser, he is often behind our self-condemning thoughts. And as the enemy of everyone, he loves to cause division in relationships. So don't underestimate his desire to wreak havoc. When the seventy-two returned from their missionary journey, they told Jesus, "Even the demons are subject to us because of your name" (Luke 10:17). Evil quakes at the name of Jesus. Believe that demons flee at the mention of Jesus' name, even when you're the one speaking it! So when you sense the evil one at work, go ahead and pray. You don't need a lot of words. Just say, "Jesus, I come against this darkness in your name." Jesus' name is truly "the name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:9). His authority to dispel evil and darkness is not just reserved for him alone. You have been baptized into his name, and that means you can call on that name. He has placed his name in your heart, so call on it! "Jesus, may your name be ever on my heart and lips." Sirach 4:11-19
Psalm 119:165, 168, 171-172, 174-175 |  clickable | Christian prayer is not something you do. Prayer is permitting the Trinitarian God to love you as you learn in childlike trust to acknowledge, relate, receive, and respond within your heart to the Holy Spirit's presence, love pursuing you and desiring to communicate with you.
—Fr. John Horn
from Heart Speaks to Heart | 2cents: "Wisdom breathes life into her children and admonishes those who seek her."
WOW. Wisdom Of Wonder, or Wonder Of Wisdom! WOW! And where does all wisdom begin, my beloved and avid lover of our Lord? Wisdom begins with a Holy Fear of the Lord our Father. He deserves a most amazing love, like the kind He loves us with, the impossible kind, the incomprehensible kind, the kind that is simply out of this world. Amen? Wisdom breathed into the nostrils of Adam. And life came. What life? The soul. The ability to live for an eternity with Him...if we so choose. For that, let us proceed. | Let us pray: "O Lord, great peace have they who love your law. Let my soul live to praise you, and may your ordinances help me." Earlier we spoke about wisdom. Fear of the Lord. Loving the law. But what about admonishment? Admonish the sinner if you love them. On Sunday, I saw my nephew, brand new truck, he's about 17 years old I believe. I said he had something on his nose. I don't think he believed me. He laughed and left. I often tell my loved ones about how they missed church. Truth be told, I want them to "miss" church. Miss Jesus. Miss the love of God. Miss the blessings. Miss following Him. Miss loving His laws. So we are on our way to our Lord. | In the Holy Gospel, LOL, I'm laughing to myself, because my kids are homeschooled and as a daily writing assignment, they have to write a reflection like I do for you, and they all start with "In today's Gospel,....". It's cute. I digress. Before I continue though, I want to ask you for lent, to respond to these emails at the blogspot, for others to see how the Holy Spirit touched you. I don't get responses, it is rare, but the few times, WOW! Amazing how our Holy Spirit reaches the soul | Back to our Lord. They tell Him about others using His name.
He says " "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us." And if our God is for us, who could be against us? Let me tell you a spiritual reality of how the realms outside and here work among us which I learned at a cursillo retreat for the retreat: Monsignor, a Diocesan exorcist, said that first of course is our God above all, then, there is the devil, and there is us, but in between the Father God and the devil is the Blessed Mother Mary. Now, all are subject to God almighty. He said the devil hates how Mary was put above him. So we are in a world where the ruler is the enemy. Just flip on the news and BAM! There is darkness. Division. Dissension. Violence. Hatred. Right? But take heart! We are not of this world. We need to stick together, us Jesus lovers. Look beyond yourself and your feelings. I'm going to ask for a quick favor, pray for a family retreat we are having, and pray that you attend one and or make one happen in your neck of the woods. Family is extremely important for the Kingdom of God. Priests mostly are born of large families, or...more importantly, faithful familes. Religious too! I missed a little old nun at Mass yesterday, hope she was ok, but who will fill her tiny shoes? Do you know anyone? Who offers this lifestyle to our youth? I put it out there often to my classes. I said "no matter what we do, you will belong to God! Whether married, single, religious, no matter!" For that we live...for God's laws. You will thrive in God's laws if you love them. I promise, more freedom than trying to be free from laws. Its funny how liberalism aims to break from laws but to do so it is having to make hundreds of laws. It is a contradictory world, and yet they say "the bible contradicts itself", pointing the finger. Amen?
Life for a religious is simple and it is for us to follow...Love God, live for Him, and serve Him great love, with the measure we are measured! AMEN?
We can deliver each other to good and from evil through HIM!
WOW |  click to hear the bible verse | adrian Random Bible Verse
2 Corinthians 5:9-10 (Listen) 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Thank You Jesus | |
