 |  clickable | | The Other Person Is Not Your Problem One of the few generalizations we can make in the field of universal spirituality is this: No one else is your problem. You are always the locus of conversion and transformation. It is always about you first of all—always. You can even use that as a good litmus test for authentic spirituality. Is it keeping you listening for God? Is it keeping your own feet to the fire? Then it is probably healthy teaching. Is it leading you to suspicion, paranoia, accusation, and blaming? Then it is from the "Accuser," which is a quite significant New Testament name for Satan (Revelation 12:10). The Evil One is not only an Accuser, therefore, but also a "father of lies" (John 8:44), because the other one is not your problem, even though Evil would prefer to have you think so. It keeps you from your own needed transformation and keeps the contentious spirit alive. —from The Wisdom Pattern: Order, Disorder, Reorder by Richard Rohr, OFM |  MorningOffering.com | †Saint Quote
"Be brave and try to detach your heart from worldly things. Do your utmost to banish darkness from your mind and come to understand what true, selfless piety is. Through confession, endeavor to purify your heart of anything which may still taint it. Enliven your faith, which is essential to understand and achieve piety."
— St. John Bosco PRAYER DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
O clement, O loving, O sweet Mother Mary,
We, your children of every nation,
Turn to you in this pandemic.
Our troubles are numerous; our fears are great.
Grant that we might deposit them at your feet,
Take refuge in your Immaculate Heart,
And obtain peace, healing, rescue,
And timely help in all our needs.
You are our Mother.
Pray for us to your Son.
Amen. PRAYER OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen. †MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"Souls who spread the honor of My mercy I shield through their entire lives as a tender mother her infant, and at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Savior. At that last hour, a soul has nothing with which to defend itself except My mercy. Happy is the soul that during its lifetime immersed itself in the Fountain of Mercy, because justice will have no hold on it."
— St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, p. 404
AN EXCERPT FROM
The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina † VERSE OF THE DAY
"O Lord, you are my God, I extol you, I praise your name; For you have carried out your wonderful plans of old, faithful and true."
Isaiah 25:1 |  click to read more | | Saint Augustine of Canterbury
Saint of the Day for May 27
(? – May 26, 605)
In the year 596, some 40 monks set out from Rome to evangelize the Anglo-Saxons in England. Leading the group was Augustine, the prior of their monastery. Hardly had he and his men reached Gaul when they heard stories of the ferocity of the Anglo-Saxons and of the treacherous waters of the English Channel. Augustine returned to Rome and to Gregory the Great—the pope who had sent them—only to be assured by him that their fears were groundless. Augustine set out again. This time the group crossed the English Channel and landed in the territory of Kent, ruled by King Ethelbert, a pagan married to a Christian, Bertha. Ethelbert received them kindly, set up a residence for them in Canterbury and within the year, on Pentecost Sunday 597, was himself baptized. After being consecrated a bishop in France, Augustine returned to Canterbury, where he founded his see. He constructed a church and monastery near where the present cathedral, begun in 1070, now stands. As the faith spread, additional sees were established at London and Rochester. Work was sometimes slow and Augustine did not always meet with success. Attempts to reconcile the Anglo-Saxon Christians with the original Briton Christians—who had been driven into western England by Anglo-Saxon invaders—ended in dismal failure. Augustine failed to convince the Britons to give up certain Celtic customs at variance with Rome and to forget their bitterness, helping him evangelize their Anglo-Saxon conquerors. Laboring patiently, Augustine wisely heeded the missionary principles—quite enlightened for the times—suggested by Pope Gregory: purify rather than destroy pagan temples and customs; let pagan rites and festivals be transformed into Christian feasts; retain local customs as far as possible. The limited success Augustine achieved in England before his death in 605, a short eight years after his arrival, would eventually bear fruit long after in the conversion of England. Augustine of Canterbury can truly be called the "Apostle of England."
Reflection Augustine of Canterbury comes across today as a very human saint, one who could suffer like many of us from a failure of nerve. For example, his first venture to England ended in a big U-turn back to Rome. He made mistakes and met failure in his peacemaking attempts with the Briton Christians. He often wrote to Rome for decisions on matters he could have decided on his own had he been more self-assured. He even received mild warnings against pride from Pope Gregory, who cautioned him to "fear lest, amidst the wonders that are done, the weak mind be puffed up by self-esteem." Augustine's perseverance amidst obstacles and only partial success teaches today's apostles and pioneers to struggle on despite frustrations and be satisfied with gradual advances.
Saint Augustine of Canterbury is the Patron Saint of: England | Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Lectionary: 299
Reading 1 Acts 20:28-38 At Miletus, Paul spoke to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus:
"Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock
of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers,
in which you tend the Church of God
that he acquired with his own Blood.
I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you,
and they will not spare the flock.
And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth
to draw the disciples away after them.
So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day,
I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears.
And now I commend you to God
and to that gracious word of his that can build you up
and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated.
I have never wanted anyone's silver or gold or clothing.
You know well that these very hands
have served my needs and my companions.
In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort
we must help the weak,
and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said,
'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" When he had finished speaking
he knelt down and prayed with them all.
They were all weeping loudly
as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him,
for they were deeply distressed that he had said
that they would never see his face again.
Then they escorted him to the ship. Responsorial Psalm 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab R. (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Show forth, O God, your power,
the power, O God, with which you took our part;
For your temple in Jerusalem
let the kings bring you gifts.
R. Sing to God, O Kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God,
chant praise to the Lord
who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens.
Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power:
"Confess the power of God!"
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Over Israel is his majesty;
his power is in the skies.
Awesome in his sanctuary is God, the God of Israel;
he gives power and strength to his people.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia. Alleluia Jn 17:17b, 17a R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 17:11b-19 Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:
"Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
except the son of destruction,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the Evil One.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth.
Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth." | Today's Meditation: John 17:11-19 Father, keep them in your name. (John 17:11) What would you pray for if you were facing a painful death? Strength? Peace? The grace to endure it faithfully? Jesus prayed for his friends. He was concerned for what he had begun in their hearts. He wanted it to continue and bear fruit until the day they were reunited with him. Guess what? Jesus included us in his prayer. He included you! With love and compassion, he asked his Father, "Keep them in your name. Protect them. Consecrate them." Keep them: Jesus asked his Father to hold you securely to himself. He will do it! Your heavenly Father will never turn his back on you. He will never abandon you to whatever may come. No one can take you out of his hand. So talk to him about your hopes and fears, your strengths and weaknesses. Spend time in his presence listening for his voice. Protect them: Jesus knows what can threaten the good work he has begun in you. And so he prayed particularly that the Father would shield you. Amid trials and illness, setbacks and disappointment, God will not only defend your faith, but he will help it to grow and prosper. That's because it's not just "your" faith; it's his life in you. Whatever you are dealing with, you can walk in the confidence of knowing that the Father is with you at all times. This evening, review today's events. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how he has protected you and helped you grow. Consecrate them: To his prayers for our welfare, Jesus added another request. He asked the Father to set us apart as holy and dedicated for a specific purpose. He meant everyone, not just the exceptionally talented, outgoing, and naturally able ones. You have been set apart! Your life here is not an accident. It is not pointless or meaningless. It is ordained by God for something only you can accomplish. Jesus loves you and cares for you. Reread today's Gospel, and insert yourself where Jesus speaks of those whom the Father has given him. Then worship him for loving you so deeply. "Thank you, Father, for your love and care. Holy Spirit, help me to grow in knowledge of God's love, protection, and plans for me." Acts 20:28-38
Psalm 68:29-30, 33-36 |  clickable | Am I, your Mother, not here? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? What more do you need? Let nothing else disturb or distress you.
— Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego
quoted in Maria of Guadalupe | my2cents:
"When he had finished speaking he knelt down and prayed with them all."
Kneel to pray, with everyone you love. Kneel to pray because ....until we see each other again.
St. Paul was going a place that was hostile.
Wonder if we can do that? Go to a hostile place, hostile to Jesus?
I remember several years ago, in college, I ran into a high school class mate, tall handsome fellow, and we touched base on happenings in life...I said I was going to college, and he caught me off guard, because this was a smart, brilliant guy, and he said he was going to the Middle East for a few years to spread the Gospel. In my opinion, it was craziness. Here he could have life as a lap of luxury, living the typical college life, excelling in studies and building a life. But he chose the Way.
Do we all need to be on a mission across the world to do what Jesus said?
Not all. But I don't have to go very far to enter a hostile environment. And I'm about to mention some places you may not be comfortable entering, but bear with me, as an apostle for truth speaks in testimony.
Abortion: We used to pray at an abortion clinic every week, and we got cursed at, with obscene gestures and language and threats. But lives were saved, and lives were transformed.
Homosexualism: All things contrary to traditional marriage, one man and one woman marriage. I am getting closer to home now. To speak out against homosexual life is now considered "hate speech". That's a lie. Just like being against abortion, we are considered "anti-choice" and that's a lie. The people that want choice don't want me to have a voice. That's the truth. They are lying because they don't want choice, they want all things their way...or the highway. We are not allowed to have darkness in our lives. I can't have things both ways. I can't tolerate pornography in my life.
Hostile environments, heated debates, families squabbling over these things. And so to avoid fights and arguments, what do we choose? Silence. Keep your thoughts to yourself. Distance yourself.
Hostile environments. How have we got to this point? With silence. If we choose the way of choice and homosexualism, soon enough, will they want a complete control of your faith. They will want you to shut your faith up. Shut it where no one can see. Shut it where no one can hear. Shut it in and never bring it up. Keep your faith to yourself. And this already infringes on our country's rights, our human rights, and our dignity as a human being. Who is setting the tone for all this? The dark side. The side against light. The side that wants darkness to operate and control. And there is where pride sets in...control. Obedience or not. Faithfulness or not.
Do you want me to hit closer to home than these two "hot button" issues?
I don't know who is reading this, really, I have an idea. But if I speak anything that is against the ways of the world, I'm in for it. People will shut me out or call me out.
You see, I'm reaching out to the hostile world.
Why? Why do I dare stick my neck out?
For one, I've been confirmed with the Holy Spirit, and I go where He leads me, say what He leads me to say.
Number two: I'm grateful to Christ for mercy.
Number three: I'm striving for a life of voluntary purity (contrary to the world).
Number four: No one else hardly is doing it.
Number five: I see what most do not see. I have seen things most are not allowed to see. What? The truth. I've lived the world's lies, and I never knew how damaging they are. I write to you so that you too will dare to love Christ more, sincerely. | We prayed two things today in Holy Scripture:
"Over Israel is his majesty; his power is in the skies. Awesome in his sanctuary is God, the God of Israel; he gives power and strength to his people. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
And: "Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth." | The Truth Speaks to us today:
"I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world."
If the world hates you for speaking the truth, know that it hated Christ first. Take heart. Be courageous. The Lord is with you.
But truth is to be introduced properly, on a platter of love, like Saint John the Baptist's head. He gave his life for Christ. He had a little doubt before, but was reinforced by the words of Jesus Christ his brother, friend, and King.
John gave his life for Christ.
St. Joseph gave his life for Christ.
Mary gave her life to Christ.
All saints and angels have given their life for Christ.
This is our citizenship test.
Give your life to Christ. | Our Lord enters again:
"Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth."
Have you been consecrated? God our Jesus is asking Our Father for us to be consecrated. And The Father hears the prayers of the righteous man. And Our Father consecrated the bearers of light with truth.
Be a keeper of the Word.
This is how you will spread the light. Heavenly Father,
Give us the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as we remember Pentecost Sunday. To be able to overcome our fears, to break down barriers of language, so that we may understand your language. Yes, love, yes mercy, yes open communication, but let it be with the solid truth from above...everything that is with your Sacred Love. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. |  click to hear | Random bible verse from an online generator: Isaiah 50:7
7 But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit my website Going4th.com, surely you'll find me there. God Bless You! Share the Word. Share this, share what is good | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment