 clickable | | Prayer Is Like Practicing Heaven Now "Everything exposed to the light itself becomes light" (Ephesians 5:13). In prayer, we merely keep returning the divine gaze and we become its reflection, almost in spite of ourselves (2 Corinthians 3:18). The word prayer has often been trivialized by making it into a way of getting what we want. But I use prayer as the umbrella word for any interior journeys or practices that allow us to experience faith, hope, and love within ourselves. It is not a technique for getting things, a pious exercise that somehow makes God happy, or a requirement for entry into heaven. It is much more like practicing heaven now. —from the book Yes, and...: Daily Meditations by Richard Rohr, OFM |  MorningOffering.com | † Saint Quote
"Never give up prayer, and should you find dryness and difficulty, persevere in it for this very reason. God often desires to see what love your soul has, and love is not tried by ease and satisfaction."
— St. John of the Cross †MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"Moreover, beseech daily the eternal Father, His divine Son, and the Blessed Virgin, that you may be particularly under the protection of St. Joseph, the worthy spouse of the most chaste of virgins. Then addressing yourself to this loving protector, ask with great humility to be received into his care. For innumerable are the instances of assistance afforded to those who have called upon St. Joseph in their spiritual or temporal necessities. Particularly has he aided them when they stood in need of light from heaven, and direction in their prayers. And if God shows so much regard for the other saints who have loved and served Him here below, how much consideration and deference will He not show for the person He so honored as to pay him filial homage and obedience?"
— Dom Lorenzo Scupoli, p. 154
AN EXCERPT FROM
The Spiritual Combat † VERSE OF THE DAY
"If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you."
John 15:18-19 |  click to read more | | Saint John Eudes (November 14, 1601 – August 19, 1680) How little we know where God's grace will lead. Born on a farm in northern France, John died at 79 in the next "county" or department. In that time, he was a religious, a parish missionary, founder of two religious communities, and a great promoter of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. John joined the religious community of the Oratorians and was ordained a priest at 24. During severe plagues in 1627 and 1631, he volunteered to care for the stricken in his own diocese. Lest he infect his fellow religious, during the plague he lived in a huge cask in the middle of a field. At age 32, John became a parish missionary. His gifts as a preacher and confessor won him great popularity. He preached over 100 parish missions, some lasting from several weeks to several months. In his concern with the spiritual improvement of the clergy, John realized that the greatest need was for seminaries. He had permission from his general superior, the bishop, and even Cardinal Richelieu to begin this work, but the succeeding general superior disapproved. After prayer and counsel, John decided it was best to leave the religious community. That same year John founded a new community, ultimately called the Eudists—the Congregation of Jesus and Mary–devoted to the formation of the clergy by conducting diocesan seminaries. The new venture, while approved by individual bishops, met with immediate opposition, especially from Jansenists and some of his former associates. John founded several seminaries in Normandy, but was unable to get approval from Rome—partly, it was said, because he did not use the most tactful approach. In his parish mission work, John was disturbed by the sad condition of prostitutes who sought to escape their miserable life. Temporary shelters were found, but arrangements were not satisfactory. A certain Madeleine Lamy, who had cared for several of the women, one day said to him, "Where are you off to now? To some church, I suppose, where you'll gaze at the images and think yourself pious. And all the time what is really wanted of you is a decent house for these poor creatures." The words, and the laughter of those present, struck deeply within him. The result was another new religious community, called the Sisters of Charity of the Refuge. John Eudes is probably best known for the central theme of his writings: Jesus as the source of holiness; Mary as the model of the Christian life. His devotion to the Sacred Heart and to the Immaculate Heart led Pope Pius XI to declare him the father of the liturgical cult of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
Reflection Holiness is the wholehearted openness to the love of God. It is visibly expressed in many ways, but the variety of expression has one common quality: concern for the needs of others. In John's case, those who were in need were plague-stricken people, ordinary parishioners, those preparing for the priesthood, prostitutes, and all Christians called to imitate the love of Jesus and his mother. | Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time Reading 1 Jgs 2:11-19 The children of Israel offended the LORD by serving the Baals.
Abandoning the LORD, the God of their fathers,
who led them out of the land of Egypt,
they followed the other gods of the various nations around them,
and by their worship of these gods provoked the LORD. Because they had thus abandoned him and served Baal and the Ashtaroth,
the anger of the LORD flared up against Israel,
and he delivered them over to plunderers who despoiled them.
He allowed them to fall into the power of their enemies round about
whom they were no longer able to withstand.
Whatever they undertook, the LORD turned into disaster for them,
as in his warning he had sworn he would do,
till they were in great distress.
Even when the LORD raised up judges to deliver them
from the power of their despoilers,
they did not listen to their judges,
but abandoned themselves to the worship of other gods.
They were quick to stray from the way their fathers had taken,
and did not follow their example of obedience
to the commandments of the LORD.
Whenever the LORD raised up judges for them, he would be with the judge
and save them from the power of their enemies
as long as the judge lived;
it was thus the LORD took pity on their distressful cries
of affliction under their oppressors.
But when the judge died,
they would relapse and do worse than their ancestors,
following other gods in service and worship,
relinquishing none of their evil practices or stubborn conduct. Responsorial Psalm Ps 106:34-35, 36-37, 39-40, 43ab and 44 R. (4a) Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.
They did not exterminate the peoples,
as the LORD had commanded them,
But mingled with the nations
and learned their works.
R. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.
They served their idols,
which became a snare for them.
They sacrificed their sons
and their daughters to demons.
R. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.
They became defiled by their works,
and wanton in their crimes.
And the LORD grew angry with his people,
and abhorred his inheritance.
R. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.
Many times did he rescue them,
but they embittered him with their counsels.
Yet he had regard for their affliction
when he heard their cry.
R. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people. Alleluia Mt 5:3 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are the poor in spirit;
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 19:16-22 A young man approached Jesus and said,
"Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?"
He answered him, "Why do you ask me about the good?
There is only One who is good.
If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."
He asked him, "Which ones?"
And Jesus replied, "You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
honor your father and your mother;
and you shall love your neighbor as yourself."
The young man said to him,
"All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?"
Jesus said to him, "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."
When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad,
for he had many possessions.
| Meditation: Matthew 19:16-22 Saint John Eudes, Priest (Optional Memorial) What do I still lack? (Matthew 19:20) When we read this story of the rich young man, we often focus on how he "went away sad" (Matthew 19:22). But we don't always give him enough credit. He knew enough to realize he needed help—and to ask Jesus for it. His question was sincere too: "Teacher, what good must I do?" He wanted to be a better man, and he wanted the "eternal life" that he saw the disciples enjoying (19:16). This is a good question for us to ask Jesus every day as well. In fact, the Church encourages us to do it. Every day, we can ask Jesus to help us see how we are doing in our walk with him and how we can do better. In the sixteenth century, St. Ignatius of Loyola developed a way for us to do just that. He called it the "Daily Examen." Here's a version that consists of five steps. The first step is to thank God for all the blessings you've received that day. What are you thankful for? The second step is to pray to the Holy Spirit. It can be hard to recognize God's presence in the course of the day. So ask him to help you look back with spiritual hindsight to see where he was with you that day. Third, review what happened today. Whom did you encounter? What situations and emotions arose? How was God speaking to you through them? And how did you respond? Don't worry about every circumstance; just look at what stands out. Fourth, think about when you felt closest to God. Perhaps it was as someone helped you in the grocery store or as you admired a beautiful sunset. When did you feel further away from God? Maybe you felt impatient when someone asked you for help. Perhaps someone cut you off in traffic, and you got angry. Be sure to ask the Lord's forgiveness for any sins and for his help to change. But remember, don't go away sad! Jesus is inviting you to follow him on the path to heaven. Your fifth and final step is to look ahead to the next day. Think about the people you'll meet, the situations you'll face, and invite Jesus to be part of them. Remember, he wants to walk with you every step of the way. "Lord, open my eyes! Help me to become more like you." Judges 2:11-19
Psalm 106:34-37, 39-40, 43-44 |  clickable | While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.
—St. Francis of Assisi
from Sign of Contradiction | my2cents: "But when the judge died, they would relapse and do worse than their ancestors, following other gods in service and worship, relinquishing none of their evil practices or stubborn conduct."
They practiced evil. They'd "go back to their ways". Their "old ways". Ba'al was their favorite deity, the "go to god", because they loved fertility and rain and other "good things", all sorts of "favors". The other god was Astaroth, now things go from bad ba'al to worse, for if Beelzebul was related to Ba'al, Astaroth was an arch demon, and "according to some demonologists of the 16th century, August is the month during which this demon's attacks against man are stronger. According to Sebastien Michaelis, he is a demon of the First Hierarchy, who seduces by means of laziness, self-doubt, and rationalized philosophies." Ever met people attacked by sloth? Spiritual sloth? I have. Ever met someone attacked by self-doubt? I have. Ever met someone attacked by rationalized philosophies? Oh yeah, our culture is full of them. Why would people worship such a god? Giving into sloth, and doubts, and philosophies? Because, we like convenience and excuses. We like to implode, take in everything and put out nothing. Keep in mind where we are going with today's Holy Gospel. | But first, let us pray: "They did not exterminate the peoples,
as the LORD had commanded them, But mingled with the nations
and learned their works. They served their idols,
which became a snare for them. They sacrificed their sons
and their daughters to demons. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people."
They did not go to war as God had asked. They did not lift a finger. They became slothful, spiritually. They, instead, mingled with the nations and followed their "ways" and not the way of the Lord. Soon enough, they sacrificed their children to demons. Are things any different today? No. Where is the hidden Ba'al statue where people sacrifice their children? Abortion places is that altar. Where is the altar of sloth? Entertainment centers. Shall I proceed? | In the Holy Gospel, our Lord said to the rich young man ""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."
First go and sell? Then follow? Go give up everything you love, then follow? How many of us like to have our cake and eat it too? We want to be two-timers, two faced people. We don't want to give up our lives to follow Him. | We don't want to follow Him, ultimately.
The rich one walked away very sad, and dejected. Everything he thought was "good enough" was not. It was thought that the rich were blessed by God, but it was a man-made philosophy.
We live in a world where we think people are possessed. That's not the correct terms. People are not possessed by legions, those are rare spiritual disease systems. But some are obsessed, much more obsessed with ....evil spirits (including sloth and so forth), and therefore, false gods.
How can we know the difference?
Well, quite simply, know the difference in poverty of spirit.
The man was seeking the good to do, to gain eternal life.
He walked away sad at the price it would cost....EVERYTHING.
Too many of us do not want the cross.
What is the cross? Obedience. Charity intertwined with obedience. And charity intertwined with compassion. And compassion wrapped in love. As Jesus wraps Himself around the cross Our Father gave Him....so too shall we follow Him |  hear it read | adrian Random Bible Verse1
Jeremiah 23:23-24 (Listen) 23 "Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? 24 Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord." Thank You Jesus | |
