 clickable | | Persuasive Peace Peacefulness is its own persuasion. That is the best option for those committed to living the Gospel. The Franciscan response to sin and division is to forgive myself and my neighbor, thereby becoming peaceful in my own center, and then to reach out to others and "work mercy" with them, even with those whom I find it difficult to love, who repel me in any way. We work together toward the good, or we perish as individuals, as societies and as civilizations. Saint Francis began a new evangelization in his own time, not by trying to be social reformer. He simply loved Christ and lived the Gospel, and he and his brothers became thereby catalysts for social change. They became "Holy Fools" who turned the world upside down by simply living the truth of the Gospel of Christ. Like Francis and his brothers, we all can learn to love again, even in the midst of division and war. And the map Francis gave us for learning to love is the Gospel and his own life of following in the footsteps of Christ. This map has been summed up beautifully in his Peace Prayer, a prayer he did not write but certainly is the way he prayed and lived and taught by example. It is a prayer that outlines everything that made Francis the peacemaker that he was and the model for peace that he is for us today. It is a prayer that shows us how to find the truth again, if we've lost it, or to continue living in the truth we've already found and are trying to live. —from Surrounded by Love: Seven Teachings from Saint Francis by Murray Bodo |  MorningOffering.com | † Saint Quote
"The Lord manifests Himself to those who stop for some time in peace and humility of heart. If you look in murky and turbulent waters, you cannot see the reflection of your face. If you want to see the face of Christ, stop and collect your thoughts in silence, and close the door of your soul to the noise of external things."
— St. Anthony of Padua † MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"All, however, cannot attain to the same degree of sacrifice. There are chosen souls whom God has raised above the ordinary callings of life, who, true to their vocation, show their love for God in heroic self-denial, in total surrender to His will, exulting in the use of all their powers to spread His kingdom. But regardless of disparity of calling, all can be led by the same spirit. It is the spirit, not the measure, of sacrifice that will decide our eternity."
— John A. Kane, p. 81
AN EXCERPT FROM
How to Make a Good Confession † VERSE OF THE DAY
"As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life."
1 Timothy 6:17-19 |  click to read more | | Saint Martin of Tours (c. 316 – November 8, 397) A conscientious objector who wanted to be a monk; a monk who was maneuvered into being a bishop; a bishop who fought paganism as well as pleaded for mercy to heretics—such was Martin of Tours, one of the most popular of saints and one of the first not to be a martyr. Born of pagan parents in what is now Hungary, and raised in Italy, this son of a veteran was forced at the age of 15 to serve in the army. Martin became a Christian catechumen and was baptized when he was 18. It was said that he lived more like a monk than a soldier. At 23, he refused a war bonus and told his commander: "I have served you as a soldier; now let me serve Christ. Give the bounty to those who are going to fight. But I am a soldier of Christ and it is not lawful for me to fight." After great difficulties, he was discharged and went to be a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers. He was ordained an exorcist and worked with great zeal against the Arians. Martin became a monk, living first at Milan and later on a small island. When Hilary was restored to his see following his exile, Martin returned to France and established what may have been the first French monastery near Poitiers. He lived there for 10 years, forming his disciples and preaching throughout the countryside. The people of Tours demanded that he become their bishop. Martin was drawn to that city by a ruse—the need of a sick person—and was brought to the church, where he reluctantly allowed himself to be consecrated bishop. Some of the consecrating bishops thought his rumpled appearance and unkempt hair indicated that he was not dignified enough for the office. Along with Saint Ambrose, Martin rejected Bishop Ithacius's principle of putting heretics to death—as well as the intrusion of the emperor into such matters. He prevailed upon the emperor to spare the life of the heretic Priscillian. For his efforts, Martin was accused of the same heresy, and Priscillian was executed after all. Martin then pleaded for a cessation of the persecution of Priscillian's followers in Spain. He still felt he could cooperate with Ithacius in other areas, but afterwards his conscience troubled him about this decision. As death approached, Martin's followers begged him not to leave them. He prayed, "Lord, if your people still need me, I do not refuse the work. Your will be done."
Reflection Martin's worry about cooperation with evil reminds us that almost nothing is either all black or all white. The saints are not creatures of another world: They face the same perplexing decisions that we do. Any decision of conscience always involves some risk. If we choose to go north, we may never know what would have happened had we gone east, west, or south. A hyper-cautious withdrawal from all perplexing situations is not the virtue of prudence; it is in fact, a bad decision, for "not to decide is to decide."
Saint Martin of Tours is the Patron Saint of: Horses
Soldiers
South Africa | Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
Lectionary: 491
Reading 1 Wis 1:1-7 Love justice, you who judge the earth;
think of the Lord in goodness,
and seek him in integrity of heart;
Because he is found by those who test him not,
and he manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him.
For perverse counsels separate a man from God,
and his power, put to the proof, rebukes the foolhardy;
Because into a soul that plots evil, wisdom enters not,
nor dwells she in a body under debt of sin.
For the holy Spirit of discipline flees deceit
and withdraws from senseless counsels;
and when injustice occurs it is rebuked.
For wisdom is a kindly spirit,
yet she acquits not the blasphemer of his guilty lips;
Because God is the witness of his inmost self
and the sure observer of his heart
and the listener to his tongue.
For the Spirit of the Lord fills the world,
is all-embracing, and knows what man says. Responsorial Psalm Ps 139:1b-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-10 R. (24b) Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it.
Behind me and before, you hem me in
and rest your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
too lofty for me to attain.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Where can I go from your spirit?
From your presence where can I flee?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I sink to the nether world, you are present there.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Even there your hand shall guide me,
and your right hand hold me fast.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way. Alleluia Phil 2:15d, 16a R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Shine like lights in the world,
as you hold on to the word of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 17:1-6 Jesus said to his disciples,
"Things that cause sin will inevitably occur,
but woe to the one through whom they occur.
It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck
and he be thrown into the sea
than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.
Be on your guard!
If your brother sins, rebuke him;
and if he repents, forgive him.
And if he wrongs you seven times in one day
and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,'
you should forgive him." And the Apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you would say to this mulberry tree,
'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you." | Catholic Meditations
Meditation: Luke 17:1-6 Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop (Memorial) You should forgive him. (Luke 17:4) "How can Jesus expect me to forgive someone who has hurt me so much or so often?" Jesus knows how hard it can be to forgive, but he still wants us to try. Perhaps we feel deeply hurt, offended, or betrayed. Or maybe the sheer repetition of even a minor offense has left us exhausted or exasperated. Still, Jesus says, "Forgive." There are no conditions or loopholes to the command. Simply forgive. So you can understand how overwhelmed the apostles seem at the prospect. "Increase our faith" they cry out (Luke 17:5). This is too hard. We don't have anywhere near the amount of faith we need if we're going to put this into practice. But Jesus disagrees. All they need is faith the size of a tiny mustard seed. If they just take that little bit of faith and put it into practice by trying to forgive, they will find their capacity for mercy growing. Because the topic of forgiveness can be so fraught with pain, we should keep one important point in mind: forgiveness is only part of the equation, especially when it comes to serious offenses. Jesus doesn't want us persisting in abusive relationships, for instance, if there is no attempt at true change. It's not healthy just to pardon someone and let the offenses keep coming. Sometimes we need outside help to bring true healing and resolution to a hurtful relationship. But very often, it's the little, everyday things that we need to forgive—the driver who cuts us off in traffic or the child who keeps leaving his laundry all around the house. That's exactly where we can make progress! Take the faith that you have—even if it seems too small for the task—and do what you can. Take just one small step today. And then take another step tomorrow. And the next day. Eventually, your grip will loosen, and you'll be able to let go. Just keep on praying, "Jesus, I don't want to forgive, but I want to make a start and trust that you'll help me over time." All it takes is a mustard seed of faith to start forgiving. "Thank you, Jesus, for the faith you have given me. Lord, increase my faith! Help me to choose to forgive!" Wisdom 1:1-7
Psalm 139:1-10 |  clickable | In order to see Jesus, we first need to let him look at us!
— John Paul II
from Purity 365 | my2cents:
"...seek him in integrity of heart; Because he is found by those who test him not". What is integrity? I often put on our family business logos "service with integrity" and then, like a dummy, I have to google the word again, to explain what it means. What is integrity then? So we can truly seek Him with integrity?
Definition of integrity
1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility
2 : an unimpaired condition : soundness
3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided Integrity is the practice of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values.
Seek Him with integrity. Be honest and CONSISTENT, uncompromising.
Let us go forth. | Let us pray: "Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it. Behind me and before, you hem me in
and rest your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; too lofty for me to attain. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way."
How can God know what you will say before you say it? I can only compare it to someone truly in love, who truly knows you inside and out. No words necessary. He knows your heart. But for our own good, we must speak words of faith and prayer. Inside, and outside, interiorily and exteriorly. This knowledge He beholds is beautiful. To be known is beautiful, isn't it? And saints are known by their love of God and how much God loves them. And you are called to be a saint. | Our Lord said today "And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,' you should forgive him." A theologian said that the number 7 is the number that signifies perfection. The number 10 signifies a covenant. If this is true, then to forgive someone perfectly, 7 times in a single day, is a good and perfect thing to do. But how often does someone say sorry? And sorry 7 times in one day? Proverbs 24:16 says "For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity. 17Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,…"
And why are we not to gloat? Because, it is ugly, pride is ugly. Not beautiful. Not love. For God does not take pleasure in the death of a sinner. Ezekiel 18:32 ""For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the Lord GOD. "Therefore, repent and live."
There is much delight when a sinner repents. A true penitent. A true conversion of heart, mind, and soul. | Our Lord said "Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur." You are probably thinking of someone or a group of people that is causing others to sin. But what about you? Do you cause others to sin? The world we know is made up of little things. Atoms. Many little things. Little things matter because that is matter itself. The other day at the grocery store, I saw a rough looking guy coming my way, so I moved my shopping cart with cases of water so he could walk through even though the isle was big, it was my gesture to him. I figured either he'd just keep walking, or could show aggressiveness by his manner of walking and looking. As he passed by he was excusing himself, very gentle. But, if he would've given me a cold vibe, that could've set a bad tone for me, and for the day. In just the same way, I could be frowning one day, and make someone's day even worse. I told a large group in a gathering for Cursillistas Saturday, that I was wearing a colorful necklace made of strings made by a man that would never have known that I knew he was the one who made them. I knew because his son told me "my dad made these for the cursillo" many years ago. I said "you would never know who appreciates the little things you do for others". Little things go a long ways. People do not forget. We make long lasting impressions on others. And so, I am writing to you, to make an impression on others that says "I Love God", and you felt that love of God. These are small acts of faith that can do what Jesus says to do.
"If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you."
Have faith. Jesus is waiting for you to have faith. You can do the things that are not possible in human terms.
You can be a person of great faith. Move that mountain today. |  hear it read | adrian Random Bible Verse 1
Proverbs 3:9–10 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
->Thank You Jesus<-
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