 clickable | | Love Draws Us Back to God Love God and do as you will, says St. Augustine, for love is its own commandment. That is how St. Francis took it and lived it. He sinned, as all humans do, but after his conversion, he always knew when he had sinned because Love's commandment drew him back to the divine love that underpinned everything he was and did. It was not so much fear of punishment that motivated Francis but rather his commitment to him whom he loved, Jesus Christ. To separate oneself from Christ would be the sin for Francis. If he feared anything, it would have been that he would betray Christ, the love of his life. —from Surrounded by Love: Seven Teachings from Saint Francis |  MorningOffering.com | †Saint Quote
"Fix your minds on the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Inflamed with love for us, he came down from heaven to redeem us. For our sake he endured every torment of body and soul and shrank from no bodily pain. He himself gave us an example of perfect patience and love. We, then, are to be patient in adversity."
— St. Francis of Paola
† MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"Now man need not hide from God as Adam did; for He can be seen through Christ's human nature. Christ did not gain one perfection more by becoming man, nor did He lose anything of what He possessed as God. There was the Almightiness of God in the movement of His arm, the infinite love of God in the beatings of His human heart and the Unmeasured Compassion of God to sinners in His eyes. God was now manifest in the flesh; this is what is called the Incarnation. The whole range of the Divine attributes of power and goodness, justice, love, beauty, were in Him. And when Our Divine Lord acted and spoke, God in His perfect nature became manifest to those who saw Him and heard Him and touched Him. As He told Philip later on: Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father [John 14:9]."
— Fulton J. Sheen, p. 21
AN EXCERPT FROM
Life of Christ † VERSE OF THE DAY
"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'"
John 7:37-8 |  click to read more | | Saint Apollonia (d. c. 249)
The persecution of Christians began in Alexandria during the reign of the Emperor Philip. The first victim of the pagan mob was an old man named Metrius, who was tortured and then stoned to death. The second person who refused to worship their false idols was a Christian woman named Quinta. Her words infuriated the mob and she was scourged and stoned. While most of the Christians were fleeing the city, abandoning all their worldly possessions, an old deaconess, Apollonia, was seized. The crowds beat her, knocking out all of her teeth. Then they lit a large fire and threatened to throw her in it if she did not curse her God. She begged them to wait a moment, acting as if she was considering their requests. Instead, she jumped willingly into the flames and so suffered martyrdom. There were many churches and altars dedicated to her. Apollonia is the patroness of dentists, and people suffering from toothache and other dental diseases often ask her intercession. She is pictured with a pair of pincers holding a tooth or with a golden tooth suspended from her necklace. Saint Augustine explained her voluntary martyrdom as a special inspiration of the Holy Spirit, since no one is allowed to cause his or her own death.
Reflection The Church has quite a sense of humor! Apollonia is honored as the patron saint of dentists, but this woman who had her teeth extracted without anesthetic surely ought to be the patron of those who dread the chair. She might also be the patron of the aging, for she attained glory in her old age, standing firm before her persecutors even as her fellow Christians fled the city. However we choose to honor her, she remains a model of courage for us.
Saint Apollonia is the Patron Saint of: Dentists
Toothache | ST. JULIAN THE HOSPITALLER St. Julian the Hospitaller (4th c.) came from a wealthy noble family in Europe. Little of his life is known with certainty. According to legend he married a noble widow, and was put under a curse at some point in his life. The curse was that he would one day kill his parents. To prevent this from happening, Julian and his wife moved far away from them. Julian's parents later found their whereabouts and made an unexpected visit while Julian was away. Julian's wife offered them her bed to sleep for the night. When Julian arrived home and found his bed occupied with a couple, he slew them both assuming it was his wife with another man. When Julian learned the truth, he was horrified by his actions and spent the rest of his life in penance. He and his wife went on a pilgrimage to Rome, and on their return established a hospital to continue their penance, dedicating their lives to caring for the poor and sick. One day a leper came to stay in the hospital; after Julian cared for his wounds, the leper revealed himself to be an angel and told Julian that God granted him absolution for his sins. The hospital was built near a river that was often crossed by pilgrims on their way to the Crusades. St. Julian the Hospitaller is the patron saint of hospitality, travelers, innkeepers, boatmen, pilgrims, and knights. His feast day is celebrated on February 12th. | Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 331
Reading 1 1 Kgs 10:1-10 The queen of Sheba, having heard of Solomon's fame,
came to test him with subtle questions.
She arrived in Jerusalem with a very numerous retinue,
and with camels bearing spices,
a large amount of gold, and precious stones.
She came to Solomon and questioned him on every subject
in which she was interested.
King Solomon explained everything she asked about,
and there remained nothing hidden from him
that he could not explain to her. When the queen of Sheba witnessed Solomon's great wisdom,
the palace he had built, the food at his table,
the seating of his ministers, the attendance and garb of his waiters,
his banquet service,
and the burnt offerings he offered in the temple of the LORD,
she was breathless.
"The report I heard in my country
about your deeds and your wisdom is true," she told the king.
"Though I did not believe the report until I came and saw with my own eyes,
I have discovered that they were not telling me the half.
Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report I heard.
Blessed are your men, blessed these servants of yours,
who stand before you always and listen to your wisdom.
Blessed be the LORD, your God,
whom it has pleased to place you on the throne of Israel.
In his enduring love for Israel,
the LORD has made you king to carry out judgment and justice."
Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty gold talents,
a very large quantity of spices, and precious stones.
Never again did anyone bring such an abundance of spices
as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. Responsorial Psalm 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40 R. (30a) The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.
Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
R. The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.
The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom
and his tongue utters what is right.
The law of his God is in his heart,
and his steps do not falter.
R. The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom. Alleluia Jn 17:17b, 17a R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth:
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 7:14-23 Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them,
"Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;
but the things that come out from within are what defile." When he got home away from the crowd
his disciples questioned him about the parable.
He said to them,
"Are even you likewise without understanding?
Do you not realize that everything
that goes into a person from outside cannot defile,
since it enters not the heart but the stomach
and passes out into the latrine?"
(Thus he declared all foods clean.)
"But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him.
From within the man, from his heart,
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
All these evils come from within and they defile." | 5th Week in Ordinary Time The things that come out from within are what defile. (Mark 7:15) Nutritionists are often telling us to be careful about the amount of sugar, sodium, and fat in our diets. But staying away from unhealthy foods isn't enough. We also need to focus on eating healthy foods. And we can, by taking advantage of the many alternatives that are out there. It just takes a little bit of effort. We can apply this approach to Jesus' words in today's Gospel. How many times a day do we find ourselves doing, saying, or thinking something we know isn't quite right? But if we spend all our time exercising our willpower to fight sin, we're going to get pretty exhausted! Not only that, but we'll begin to reduce the Christian life to a matter of saying and doing the right things. We'll lose sight of the purpose of all these commandments—to help us enjoy God's love and peace. So instead of just saying no, we need to actively say yes: yes to virtue, and yes to God's grace. It's not as hard as it may sound. Choose just one area to work on. Maybe it's anger, or impatience, or gluttony. Think of something you're well aware of and that God keeps reminding you about. Then find ways you can build up the opposite virtue or habit. Suppose you are impatient and easily agitated when you have to wait for someone. Obviously, you want to try and be more patient. But don't just make a vague resolution. Pick some concrete ways that will help you grow in patience. For example, when you find yourself beginning to lose your patience, try praying a Hail Mary for whoever is holding you up. Ask the Blessed Mother to bless that person and to help you react more calmly and peacefully. You may not see immediate results, but that's okay. Change takes time, and God's mercy is always available to you. He knows you are trying, and he is pleased with your efforts. Little by little, with his grace, you will start to see changes. "Lord, when I'm tempted to sin, give me the grace to grow in virtue instead." 1 Kings 10:1-10
Psalm 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40 |  clickable | Let us humbly number ourselves among the imperfect, see ourselves as little souls. Yes, it is enough to humble oneself and to bear with one's imperfections meekly. That is true sanctity.
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux
quoted in Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: Story of a Life by Guy Gaucher | my2cents:
"Though I did not believe the report until I came and saw with my own eyes" said the queen.
Our Lord said in Mt.12:42 " The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here."
The queen left and said "Blessed be the LORD, your God, who has been pleased to place you on the throne of Israel. In his enduring love for Israel, the LORD has made you king to carry out judgment and justice."
Let us turn to our Lord. | We pray today: "The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom and his tongue utters what is right.
The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps do not falter. The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom".
So if there is one authority on justice and wisdom, let us turn to the truth then...Our Lord in Heaven. | ""Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile."
He says Hear Me, and Understand.
Yet we heard immediately Him say afterwards and when alone with His disciples: "Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile...". Now, we aren't talking foods, foods that make you sick and stuff! That's what the old law began by, to protect human survival. Now He speaks about beyond human survival. He speaks things eternal and things that have eternal ramifications. He did not abolish the old, but ushered in the new. You still gotta wash your hands, you still gotta pray, you still gotta watch what you eat, but, that's not all to watch our for. Watch your heart. He says "what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity..." and need I list the rest of the sins? Because they all match unchastity, don't they? To be un-pure, that is impure. And so easily all the rest come into the soul, greed, arrogance, adultery, and what is licentiousness? Lacking moral restraint, especially in sexual conduct. This seems to be the growing case in culture, license.... to kill. Lately, news has been said that a prominent voice in the Democratic race has declared "you can not be a democrat if you do not stand for abortion". License to kill. Licentiousness is a license to kill, moral conduct sexually is tied in, because the product of the sexual act is a child, therefore, in the Catholic World it is actually called "the marital act". And it should be an act of true love...for the creation of the Creator from above, true honor. Unchastity-greed, deceipt, and blasphemy. What is blasphemy? A quick definition says "Blasphemy is the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence to a deity, or sacred objects, or toward something considered sacred or inviolable. " Lack of reverence. That is a big one nowadays. No reverence for the body, or bodies (babies). Blasphemy. No reverence, seems worse in my opinion, in some protestant churches that hate the reverence we have to the sacred objects, like the relics of saints, and the Most Holy Eucharist, the actual Body of Christ. But it's worse in our own circles, where they say only 1 out of 3 believes in the Real Presence. Therefore, no true reverence. Suddenly today's Gospel becomes true...acts are made to be more than true faith. Let's just say, Our Lord knows authenticity, and most of us are blind to the truth of true love, or am I speaking only for myself? | Bishop Barron says today on this:
"Friends, in today's Gospel Jesus teaches that evil comes from within. From our hearts "come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly." _
The Church teaches that such evils are consequences of original sin. The doctrine holds that there is something fundamentally off about us, that all is not well, that we are off-kilter, skewed, mixed up. We Catholics don't hold to a doctrine of total depravity, but we do indeed hold that original sin has worked its way into every nook and cranny of our lives: our minds, our wills, our desires and passions, even our very bodies.
As G.K. Chesterton argued a century ago, original sin is the only doctrine for which there is empirical evidence, for we can feel it within ourselves and we can see the effects of it everywhere.
One of the surest signs of our dysfunction is that we tend to celebrate all of the wrong people and despise or look down upon the best people. Pay very close attention to the people that you don't like, to those that you consider obnoxious; it might tell you a lot about your own spiritual state."_ Watch those who humiliate you, but don't watch them, watch what is happening to you inside...revulstion? Disgust? Animosity? Perhaps the devil is pointing out something he likes in you and wants more of it. Or, perhaps, you should take note and make a sacrificial decision "this can't be me, can it"? This isn't the true body of Christ!" And so, what comes from within matters. Yesterday I heard a video on modesty for men. One person said "even if a naked woman appeared to a man, he should have the modesty to see a child of God". Now we are talking chasity. Now we are talking purity. Now we are talking things backwards of how the world teaches.
Can a typical man on the street be modest? For sure, chances are, that he is not modest, but can he be?
With Christ, yes. Without Christ, we can do nothing.
Let us fight for grace by being susceptible to His Holy will.
The Queen of the South sought the King. She had heard about him. And she brought gifts, of gold, frankincense and myrrh. More spices than anyone else had ever bothered to offer, because for her, it wasn't a sacrifice, it was a true gift.
And she was said to have left extremely blessed.
Likewise, seek. Likewise, bless. Likewise, He will out-give you always. This is how Love works. Lord Help us be grace and graceful and gracious always and forever |  click to hear a message | ->Random Bible Verse 1<
James 1:12
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Thank You Lord | 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 | |
