 clickable | | God Is Always Waiting for Us God was, and is, always waiting. There is never a time when he is not longing for us to come to him. The invitation is ever-present. The human heart was made for God and will only be fully satisfied when in union with him. How correct Saint Augustine was when he said that our hearts are restless until they rest in God. If we are quiet and still, we can feel his tugging; we can detect his summons. He is always calling us to more and wanting to draw us to himself. Our very life is a pilgrimage, always being enticed further, being brought closer to Christ. At times our lives are too chaotic for us to hear God's invitation, but if you are able to get away from the madness and be still, you can hear it; you can sense it. It is in the quiet that we understand why we are walking. It is in the stillness that we more fully understand what or whom we are walking toward. −from Hiking the Camino: 500 Miles with Jesus |  MorningOffering.com | †Saint Quote
"Love your children. In them you can see Baby Jesus. Pray for them a lot and every day put them under Holy Mary's protection."
— St. Gianna Molla † MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"With regard to evil thoughts, there may be a twofold delusion. God-fearing souls who have little or no gift of discernment, and are inclined to scruples, think that every wicked thought that enters their mind is a sin. This is a mistake, for it is not the wicked thoughts in themselves that are sins, but the yielding or consenting to them. The wickedness of mortal sin consists in the perverse will that deliberately yields to sin with a complete knowledge of its wickedness with full consent. And therefore St. Augustine teaches that when the consent of the will is absent, there is no sin. However much we may be tormented by temptations, the rebellion of the senses, or the inordinate motions of the inferior part of the soul, as long as there is no consent, there is no sin. For the comfort of such anxious souls, let me suggest a good rule of conduct that is taught by all masters in the spiritual life. If a person who fears God and hates sin doubts whether or not he has consented to an evil thought or not, he is not bound to confess it, because it is morally certain that he has not given consent. For had he actually committed a mortal sin, he would have no doubt about it, as mortal sin is such a monster in the eyes of one who fears God that its entrance into the heart could not take place without its being known. Others, on the contrary, whose conscience is lax and not well-informed, think that evil thoughts and desires, though consented to, are not sins provided they are not followed by sinful actions. This error is worse than the one mentioned above. What we may not do, we may not desire. Therefore an evil thought or desire to which we consent comprises in itself all the wickedness of an evil deed."
— St. Alphonsus Liguori, p. 142-3
AN EXCERPT FROM
12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation † VERSE OF THE DAY
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."
Ephesians 1:7-10 |  click to read more | | ST. KILIAN St. Kilian (c. 640-689 A.D.), also known as St. Cillian, was born to a noble family in Ireland. As a child he was known for his piety and love of study, which led him to the priesthood. He became a traveling bishop on the island, and in 686 A.D. left Ireland with eleven companions to travel throughout Gaul (present day France and parts of Germany) to preach the Gospel. From there he traveled to Rome to get official sanction from the Pope to become a missionary. Once obtained, St. Kilian returned north and settled in Würzburg as his base of activity along with two of his original companions. He began his work evangelizing the pagans in large parts of Franconia and Thuringia (north and central Germany), earning the name 'Apostle of Franconia.' Saint Kilian converted the Duke of Würzburg and convinced him to end his unlawful marriage. This greatly angered the Duke's wife, who resisted St. Kilian's attempts to convert her. While her husband was away, she had St. Kilian and his two missionary companions beheaded as they were preaching. A cathedral was built on the spot of their martyrdom by the first bishop of Würzburg. On St. Kilian's feast his relics, along with those of his two companions, are paraded through the streets and put on display in the Würzburg Cathedral, which is dedicated to him. St. Kilian's feast day is July 8th. | Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 384 Reading 1 Hos 8:4-7, 11-13 Thus says the LORD:
They made kings in Israel, but not by my authority;
they established princes, but without my approval.
With their silver and gold they made
idols for themselves, to their own destruction.
Cast away your calf, O Samaria!
my wrath is kindled against them;
How long will they be unable to attain
innocence in Israel?
The work of an artisan,
no god at all,
Destined for the flames—
such is the calf of Samaria! When they sow the wind,
they shall reap the whirlwind;
The stalk of grain that forms no ear
can yield no flour;
Even if it could,
strangers would swallow it. When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin,
his altars became occasions of sin.
Though I write for him my many ordinances,
they are considered as a stranger's.
Though they offer sacrifice,
immolate flesh and eat it,
the LORD is not pleased with them.
He shall still remember their guilt
and punish their sins;
they shall return to Egypt. Responsorial Psalm 115:3-4, 5-6, 7ab-8, 9-10 R. (9a) The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
R. The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They have mouths but speak not;
they have eyes but see not;
They have ears but hear not;
they have noses but smell not.
R. The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They have hands but feel not;
they have feet but walk not.
Their makers shall be like them,
everyone that trusts in them.
R. The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia. Alleluia
Jn 10:14 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 9:32-38 A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus,
and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.
The crowds were amazed and said,
"Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."
But the Pharisees said,
"He drives out demons by the prince of demons." Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest." | Daily Meditation: Matthew 9:32-38 Ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. (Matthew 9:38) Be careful what you pray for; you might be called upon to answer your own prayer! Or as one paraphrase renders the verse right after today's Gospel, "The prayer was no sooner prayed than it was answered. Jesus called twelve of his followers and sent them into the ripe fields" (Matthew 10:1). Intercession may be a very important form of prayer, but we need to remember that all prayer originates with Jesus, not with us. When a need strikes us, whether we see that need in the world, the Church, our neighborhood, or our family, we can be confident that this need is on Jesus' own heart. He is the One who has opened our eyes to it and has moved us to pray for this need to be met. Sometimes we clearly know what to pray for: "Heal this sickness, Lord." "Let food aid get to this starving child." "Give me the strength to make the right decision." But at other times we don't know how to pray; we just sense that something is wrong and that we need to take action. The best thing we can do in these situations is to place them in God's hands and ask him to act in whatever way he knows is best. Intercessory prayer is a beautiful way to work with the harvest master, but it's not the only way. As we pray for people, we can also ask, "Lord, is there something you want me to do for him or her?" Jesus loves it when we bring people's needs before him. It shows that we aren't concerned only for ourselves. It shows that our vision is broadening to the world around us and that our hearts are becoming more like his. Jesus loves it even more when we roll up our sleeves and try to help the people we are praying for—because that's exactly what he did for us. It may not always be easy. It may cost us some of our time and energy. But at the same time, it is very rewarding to work alongside Jesus, the master of the harvest. "Jesus, thank you for the needs you are laying on my heart. Help me find the courage to take action as well." Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13
Psalm 115:3-10 |  clickable | A child's faith is a beautiful kind of faith. You believe God exists because your parents say he does, and you believe the Bible is true because they say it is. Yet there is also a time when you need to make a decision about whether or not Jesus' claims are in fact true.
— Kimberly Hahn
from A Pastor's Wife's Journey Home | my2cents:
"When they sow the wind, they shall reap the whirlwind;
The stalk of grain that forms no ear can yield no flour..."
Much talk of fields, even Sunday's Gospel will be about the sower. But if you are not a farmer, can you still understand? If you don't understand, why don't you strive to understand? Strive to enter the narrow gate. A great depiction of man is painted in the Sistine Chapel, when Michelangelo paints two hands almost touching...the hand of man(kind) very weak in effort tries to touch the hand of God. It is a perfect depiction of human frailty, yet striving...but how much? I don't know why, I just remembered while meditating on Scripture, a friend of mine that many thought was my dad because we hung out so much due to the Cursillo movement, anyhow, many of us remember how he'd drive up to the church and park outside...we could see him in the truck and knew he was praying. He was older, heavier set, bad knees, we all know why he did it, but could he not try harder to get inside and pray closer to the Blessed Sacrament? He parked outside in the shade. Allbeit, this faint effort was way more than a normal Catholic! He tried. And his efforts are remembered to this day. And so is the example of mankind, striving to enter...but faintly, and weakly, with a feeble mind and heart. That is why we have to invite God the Holy Spirit into our daily lives, at every moment, Christ our Lord. | We pray today: "They have hands but feel not;
they have feet but walk not. Their makers shall be like them, everyone that trusts in them. The house of Israel trusts in the Lord."
Mostly, false gods are made up, made into fashions, they are then, fashion gods. Fashioned to our likings. Fashioned to our loves. Fashioned to our opinions. Fashioned...to us. Instead, instead of being fashioned to Him, as He said we were made in His image. What a radical departure from His original design! We were made to love Him. Love is desiring the good of the other. And that my friend...will take sacrifice. | The Holy Gospel says today: "A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.
The crowds were amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."
Right now, they say there are demons released, and it almost seems in conjunction with the pandemic virus that was released on the world. Some priests are asking to begin today a 40 day fasting, 'Doug Barry's U.S. Grace Force initiative sponsors the effort. "Through acts of reparation, fasting, penance, charity, and prayer (both personal and sacramental), we call upon the power of God to release ourselves, our families, our parishes, our dioceses, and our nation from all demonic influence and oppression," the release says."
And this my friend will take considerable effort. Remember that weakling hand reaching out to God's hand? Will you mortify yourself for Christ? Will you starve yourself? Will you pray more, from morning til nightfall? Will you take on acts of charity?
Will you then, personify and take on the life of Christ now? Our Lord said today ""The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." Why? Because, countless souls are adrift today. They are wondering and wandering. They are lost sheep without a shepherd. They need something to do and something to stand up for, so they are devising fashions to their ideals, making up their own religion that says all others do not matter. And that is all fitting in a world that is seemingly lost. But it is not lost, because Christ is among us.
And you are called to be that part of the body of Christ, right where you are.
I meditated on the countenance of our Lord's face before writing as I always do. The holographic image goes from the shroud of Turin to an artist's rendition of what He would look like alive.
And there seems to be a crown of light and lightning on the face of the suffering servant.
There are crowns in Heaven, and the servants throw them at the feet of our Lord in Heaven. | Laborers suffer my friend. God is inviting us to suffering. And what's crazier than that? He calls us to suffer with joy. What's crazier than that?? Bringing peace out of war, and light out of darkness. How do those super deep fish glow in the dark without external light? Something happens inside that brings about light. And that something that happens inside should be happening inside of you.
An inspiration.
The whole purpose is inspiration to do good...and to will the greater good for the other, and this is love.
And so, if there is a world with very little love, great love is called for.
If there is a world filled with great darkness, a greater light is called for.
If there is a world of anxiety and tears, then calm and consolation is called for.
This means Jesus is called for.
Love is called for.
The Love for Jesus is called for. Jesus, help us love you more and more.
Help us be the light of tranquility, peace, and order, all things righteousness, a beacon of hope for the whole entire world....in your most Holy Name Jesus I pray. Let us be Christ to one another | Random bible verse from an online generator:
WOW
2 THES 3:5 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. | 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 | |
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