 clickable | | All of Creation Depends on Us The fullness of the mystery of Christ is completed in humanity; thus, it depends on us human beings and our participation in the mystery of Christ. Because the non-human material world depends on us humans for its completion in God, it, too, is part of the mystery of Christ but can only participate in this mystery in and through the human person. How does this relationship between Christ and humanity relate to the humility of God? Well, if God bends over in love for us in and through the Word incarnate, then we who are little "words" must bend over in love for one another and for all creation if the universe is to find its fulfillment in Christ. God's humble love must live in us through grace and freedom. —from the book The Humility of God: A Franciscan Perspective by Ilia Delio, OSF |  MorningOffering.com | † Saint Quote
"Mary was the most perfect among the saints only because she was always perfectly united to the will of God."
— St. Alphonsus Liguori † MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"Walking by faith, let us do good works. In these let there be a free love of God for His own sake and an active love for our neighbor. For there is nothing we can do for God. But because we have something we can do for our neighbor, we shall by our good offices to the needy gain the favor of Him Who is the source of all abundance. Let us then do what we can for others; let us freely bestow upon the needy out of our abundance."
— St. Augustine, p. 144
AN EXCERPT FROM
Augustine Day by Day † VERSE OF THE DAY
"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24 |  click to read more | | ST. MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910–1997), known simply as Mother Teresa, was born to a family of Albanian descent in what is now Macedonia. As a young girl Mother Teresa was fascinated by stories she heard of missionaries serving in India. By age 12 she discerned a vocation to the religious life, and at the age of 18 joined the Sisters of Loreto as a missionary to India. She chose her religious name after St. Therese of Lisieux, the patron saint of missionaries. She arrived in Calcutta, India in 1929 and taught at a schoolhouse for wealthy children, eventually becoming head mistress. She enjoyed her work, but became increasingly disturbed by the extreme poverty and societal unrest she observed around her. In 1946 she received a "call within a call" and began her own religious order in Calcutta dedicated to ministering to, in her words, "the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone." This order was established in 1950 with 12 sisters and named the Missionaries of Charity. By the time of her death on September 5, 1997, the Missionaries of Charity had grown to 4,000 sisters operating 610 missions in 123 countries. She received the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize and the Nobel Peace Prize for her inspiring work with social outcasts. Mother Teresa was canonized by Pope Francis on September 4, 2016. Her feast day is September 5th.
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Reflection Mother Teresa's beatification, just over six years after her death, was part of an expedited process put into effect by Pope John Paul II. Like so many others around the world, he found her love for the Eucharist, for prayer, and for the poor a model for all to emulate. | Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time Reading 1 Col 1:9-14 Brothers and sisters:
From the day we heard about you, we do not cease praying for you
and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will
through all spiritual wisdom and understanding
to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,
so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit
and growing in the knowledge of God,
strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might,
for all endurance and patience,
with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share
in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.
He delivered us from the power of darkness
and transferred us to the Kingdom of his beloved Son,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6 R. (2) The Lord has made known his salvation.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation. Alleluia Mt 4:19 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come after me, says the Lord,
and I will make you fishers of men.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 5:1-11 While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God,
he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
He saw two boats there alongside the lake;
the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
"Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch."
Simon said in reply,
"Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets."
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat
to come to help them.
They came and filled both boats
so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
"Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him
and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men."
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him.
| Meditation: Luke 5:1-11 22nd Week in Ordinary Time They left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:11) Does it ever feel as if there are obstacles that make it hard for you to accept Jesus' call to follow him? If so, the Lord has some words of encouragement for you right now: Jesus: "Whatever you think is holding you back from following me, whatever is oppressing or bothering you, just bring it along with you. Trust me; I can handle it. The most important thing is that you know how much I love you and how much I enjoy being with you each day. So if you think something is holding you back, just bring it along." Me: "Really? Even my work, Lord? My job is so demanding. My hours are so long, and I come home so tired and stressed. I appreciate your invitation and I want to come, but I'm feeling too overwhelmed to consider myself a worthy disciple." Jesus: "Bring your job with you, and I'll help you work it out. I love the fact that you're a hard worker and dedicated to providing for your family. You don't have to fight this battle alone. I'm here with you. Just try your best to stay close to me as you go through your workday." Me: "Lord, I have this financial burden that is weighing so heavily on me. I've gotten into debt, and I can't seem to find a way out. I'm ashamed of myself and embarrassed by my situation. I can just imagine how displeased you must be with me." Jesus: "Bring it along with you. Let me help you through this financial situation. Sure, things may be tough right now. Maybe you've made some bad choices. But I still love you, and I want to help you." Me: "Lord, I want to follow you, but I have this sin pattern that I just can't get rid of. How can I follow you with such a large millstone around my neck?" Jesus: "Bring it along with you, and we'll work on it together. My Holy Spirit can teach you how to get free. It may not be easy, and it may not be immediate. But I can help." Me: "Lord, I will follow you! I will trust your promises to me. I believe that you can help me overcome my burdens and obstacles." "Thank you, Jesus, for inviting me to follow you!" Colossians 1:9-14
Psalm 98:2-6 |  clickable | It is the saying of holy men that, if we wish to be perfect, we have nothing more to do than to perform the ordinary duties of the day well. A short road to perfection—short, not because easy, but because pertinent and intelligible. There are no short ways to perfection, but there are sure ones. . . . I think this is an instruction which may be of great practical use to persons like ourselves.
—John Henry Newman
from Prayers, Verses, and Devotions | my2cents:
"... walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God..."
I take consolation in the Holy Scriptures brought to us by the hands of angels and written with the Holy Spirit which is our God. What is written is written and shall be forever. What is so consoling? What consoles me are works. When I am down, I must work. When I am weak, I must work. When I need consolation, I must console. You see? Mother Teresa fits this example well, she worked and worked and knew no end because the need for consolation was immense, so immensely she poured herself out that she hardly had time to refill, but she knew she had to, and so her basis was adoration, and prayer, and demanded that everyone serve Love with love. Jesus with our hearts. | Let us pray today: "All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.
The Lord has made known his salvation". It is as if God writes with a pen of time. Amen? He has slowly revealed Himself to the faithful. Those who have no patience see no God. Those who can not trust, can not see. Those who can not see will not sing. They will not proclaim. Have you witnessed the love of God in your life lately? If so, make it known, sing a new song, tell a new soul, let your trumpet blast that our God is here. For our times are ripe for the Good News, in a world hurting, in a world in great need. And do not be taken aback if you are rejected, but let your joy be infectious. Mother Teresa was rejected many times, one time taking a starving boy to a baker for bread, and the baker instead of giving bread, spat in her face. She said "thank you, that was for me, now please, bread for the boy". This is a real world working example of faith in action, works and works beyond works. I take consolation in works...you see? Can we do these works and more? Something wonderful in God's eyes and expecting nothing in return? | In the whole of Today's Gospel, our Lord simply said two things:
1.) "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch."
Those very deep waters, Peter would be asked to walk on. Always a lesson on a boat. And now, to get out of the boat, faith beyond faith.
I have a funny feeling that the unexpected is in the next and real life. Things will be ultimately revealed for what they truly are, darkness or light.
And the scary part of all? If the signs that I see are true, very few will be caught up in the clouds with our Lord, because people do not believe in works.
A miracle is forgotten. It is not amazing. They have forgotten how true our Lord has been. And so a life of debauchery ensues. What is a life of debauchery? A senseless life that thrives on senses. Anything that makes you feel good is your god. Food, power, entertainment, sensual pleasures of every kind. And this world is ripe for sickness. That is why I say it is now the appropriate time to proclaim. | 2.) "Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men." Have no fear but the fear of God in your heart, the love of God above all, and such will be the Gospel on Sunday, to hate the world and Love only God.
From now on you will be doing works. Saving is an action, and this is works. As much as protestants detest works, they must do works for salvation! Right? You have to pour yourself out for salvation! Why say "faith alone" when works are at work! It is contradicting to the extreme. I digress.
You will be catching men, and what about women?
You see, the english language does no justice to the anterior language, the founding language. It is more like saying "from now on you will be saving mankind". Because Jesus will be living among us. He will be the one doing all the saving, and all we have to do is to allow Him...the more the better, just as Mother Teresa did, allow Him to spend your life. Allow Him to be your light. Can you be Mother Teresa in the world? Sure. All you have to do is dispose yourself and expose yourself. Dispose of all your worldly dreams and expose yourself to Jesus and let Him reach the least of the least through you. It is dirty work really. There were many ungrateful souls tended to by the Mother Teresa, but she didn't do it to be thanked, she did it to love God. She didn't do things to convert people. God did the conversions through her works.
You see? Her love of God was spoken and shared.
We live in a world that even kids acknowledge that says "what's in it for me"? Selfishness. Darkness.
No my child. We must live expressing love in an outwardly manner, proclaiming God's love by actually loving the most unlovables, the ones in trash and called trash.
Mother Teresa walked the streets looking for "trash" and had a keen eye for them, finding the sick and the dying on the streets where nobody dared to look.
Who is "trash" in your life? And how far do you stay away from them?
Mother Teresa found Jesus in places nobody dared to look.
I find Jesus in abandoned places. Sometimes a nursing home, and sometimes...in the chapel. I remember earlier this year, we went to a huge church festival and we walked by the adoration chapel. We walked in and it was basically abandoned. Hundreds were playing games, listening to music, eating, all things enjoyments and supposedly for the Lord...and yet...there He was...alone. An intimate relationship abandoned. We stayed there until another came in after a long while.
Was it sad? A crucified body was there. It was very quiet there. There was seemingly nothing to do.
And that speaks volumes about our society.
What does it say? We, me and you, are called to be fishers of men.
Time to go fishing.
Time to learn how to catch fish. All kinds, real them all in. Let the angels sort them out later. For now, baptize every single soul and bring them every closer to God. And they will, if you truly love God. Hate the ways of men. Love the ways of God. |  hear it read | adrian Random Bible Verse1
Hebrews 13:5 (Listen) 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Thank You Jesus | |
