 |  clickable | | A Hidden Life of Prayer "My joy is in leading a hidden life unknown to others."—St. Euphrasia of the Sacred Heart As early as 1904, Euphrasia wrote a detailed practice for praying with different legions of angels, starting at four in the morning and not concluding until very late in the evening. This was not theoretical to Euphrasia. When anger and worry—challenges that carried over from her childhood—threatened, she prayed. When she was tempted, she prayed. When her rheumatism or other health problems troubled her, she prayed. To express her devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and Mary, she prayed. Small wonder, then, that within the convent, she became known as Evuprasiamma, the praying mother. Her sisters would find her at prayer for ten to twelve hours a day, sitting in the chapel (she couldn't kneel for that long) and sometimes holding a sixteen-inch crucifix. While Teresa of Calcutta was ministering to the street people of Calcutta 1,400 miles away, Euphrasia was praying. It's pretty radical when you think about it, that for decades Euphrasia devoted so many hours to conversing with the Lord. Perhaps that's why the little girl who was so sickly lived to age seventy-four—fifty-two of them spent as the praying nun. —from Radical Saints: 21 Women for the 21st Century, by Melanie Rigney |  MorningOffering.com | †Saint Quote
"Suffering overwhelms you because you take it like a coward. Meet it bravely, with a Christian spirit: and you will regard it as a treasure."
— St. Josemaria Escriva † 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
"Of all the divine attributes, only God's omnipotence is named in the Creed: to confess this power has great bearing on our lives. We believe that his might is universal, for God who created everything also rules everything and can do everything. God's power is loving, for he is our Father, and mysterious, for only faith can discern it when it 'is made perfect in weakness.' The Holy Scriptures repeatedly confess the universal power of God. He is called the 'Mighty One of Jacob,' the 'Lord of hosts,' the 'strong and mighty' one. If God is almighty 'in heaven and on earth,' it is because he made them. Nothing is impossible with God, who disposes his works according to his will. He is the Lord of the universe, whose order he established and which remains wholly subject to him and at his disposal. He is master of history, governing hearts and events in keeping with his will: 'It is always in your power to show great strength, and who can withstand the strength of your arm?'"
—The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 268-9
AN EXCERPT FROM
Catechism of the Catholic Church † VERSE OF THE DAY
"We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, 'The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.'"
Romans 15:1-3 |  click to read more | | ST. ELMO St. Elmo (d. 303 AD), also known as St. Erasmus of Formia, was an Italian bishop during the reign of Roman Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. During their brutal persecution against Christians, St. Elmo left his diocese and fled to Mount Lebanon where he lived for seven years. An angel advised him to return to his diocese in order to vanquish his enemies. As he traveled there he was stopped and questioned by Roman soldiers. After declaring himself to be a Christian, he was brought to stand trial before Diocletian himself. St. Elmo confessed his faith in Christ and denounced the emperor for his impiety. For this rebuke he was tortured and thrown into prison, but an angel miraculously freed him so that he could continue on his journey and save many souls along the way. Two more times St. Elmo would endure the cycle of working miracles, baptizing thousands of people, getting arrested and mercilessly tortured, and being miraculously freed before arriving back in his own diocese. During his travels he suffered many horrible tortures at the hands of his enemies, but according to the oldest tradition he died at peace in Formia, though later accounts have him being martyred there by disembowelment. St. Elmo is the patron of mariners and sailors, abdominal pain, intestinal cramps, and women in labor. The electrical discharge on ships at sea, "St. Elmo's Fire," is named for him. His feast day is June 2nd. | « June 1 | June 3 »
Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 354
Reading 1 2 Pt 3:12-15a, 17-18 Beloved:
Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God,
because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames
and the elements melted by fire.
But according to his promise
we await new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you await these things,
be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.
And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation. Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned,
be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled
and to fall from your own stability.
But grow in grace
and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. Amen. Responsorial 90:2, 3-4, 10, 14 and 16 R. (1) In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Before the mountains were begotten
and the earth and the world were brought forth,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You turn man back to dust,
saying, "Return, O children of men."
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Seventy is the sum of our years,
or eighty, if we are strong,
And most of them are fruitless toil,
for they pass quickly and we drift away.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Let your work be seen by your servants
and your glory by their children.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge. Alleluia
Ephesians 1:17-18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to his call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 12:13-17 Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent
to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech.
They came and said to him,
"Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man
and that you are not concerned with anyone's opinion.
You do not regard a person's status
but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?
Should we pay or should we not pay?"
Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them,
"Why are you testing me?
Bring me a denarius to look at."
They brought one to him and he said to them,
"Whose image and inscription is this?"
They replied to him, "Caesar's."
So Jesus said to them,
"Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God."
They were utterly amazed at him. | Today's Meditation: 2 Peter 3:12-15, 17-18 Be eager to be found without . . . blemish before him. (2 Peter 3:14) Nobody likes spots or blemishes. Think of how disappointed a car owner would be to find a scratch or dent in his vehicle. Or the anxiety we might feel about keeping food stains off a brand-new carpet. In a similar way, St. Peter advises us to be on guard against anything that might damage or "blemish" our souls (2 Peter 3:14). So how to be on your guard? Well, in the case of car care, the best way is to drive with caution and to be aware of your surroundings at all times. So when it comes to your soul, that could mean avoiding the "near occasion of sin," as one version of the Act of Contrition says. It means being aware of the temptations around you and being careful how you navigate those dangerous roads. In the case of a new carpet, you would want to mind what you eat in that room. You wouldn't want to risk spilling a glass of red wine or dropping a plate of spaghetti. On a spiritual level, consider evaluating your "spiritual diet" every now and then. Think about the media you consume or the leisure activities that you participate in. Do they lead to peace, or do they leave you agitated or anxious? Do they help you become the person God created you to be, or do they take you down hurtful or self-centered paths? It can be hard to change our viewing habits or our leisure activities, of course, but anyone who has tried and succeeded will tell you that it is well worth the effort. One word of caution: as you make it your goal to "be eager" to avoid marring your soul, don't let the past weigh you down and don't let the future discourage you. That's not the point! Instead, "consider the patience of our Lord" (2 Peter 3:15). Remember that he didn't come to condemn you for your blemishes, but to save you from them and wash you clean. Through his Spirit, his divine grace is always available to help protect you and set you free. "Jesus, teach me how to rely on you as I try to steer clear of anything that could mar my soul or damage my spirit." Psalm 90:2-4, 10, 14, 16
Mark 12:13-17 |  clickable | | my2cents:
"since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.
And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation."
Is it easy to be holy? To be found spotless? To be found unblemished?
Because we speak of things spiritual. Let's relate it to the physical. Is it easy to be physically fit? If it were, everyone would be fit, that is heavily involved in physical fitness, right? But as it stands, it is not easy. Everyone once in a while you'll see someone that is really fit.
How can we be really fit, for His Kingdom? In the Spiritual world, it becomes something of the will. And that is hard because it stems from a truth from the heart.
Do you really want to be spotless? Do you really want to be unblemished? God sees the spotless and this is more appealing to Him than any physical worldly attribute.
And what can make you holy? Humility. Suffering. Trials and tribulations. YIKES! Let's put these things into perspective: Suffering, trials, and tribulations endured with great humility makes for great love from Heaven.
Saint Peter, our first Pope said: " grow in grace
and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. Amen." Grace is availed in the Holy Sacraments, and in the rosary, and in true love of God. | We pray today: "Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days. Let your work be seen by your servants and your glory by their children. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge..". We look to each other for faith. I look to you, and you look to me. We need each other, and this is Christ, the Holy Spirit. | In the Holy Gospel, our Lord says something tragically truthful:
""Why are you testing me?"
How many of us test Him? How many want Him to do this and that, and if He doesn't then...we turn our backs. I have seen it and heard of it, especially in the case of a dying loved one, if they don't get better, it means God doesn't care. You see? Who doesn't care really?
""Why are you testing me?" says our Lord. Because the test was not a test, but a trap, a lose/lose situation. Anything you say can and will be held against you.
""Why are you testing me?" asks our Lord.
Why do you have doubts? Who is above who? Because a test is asking for proof, and a test is a benchmark set. And who is setting the benchmark, on who's terms do we choose to live by? Think philosophical terms, and most lately have been brought up man made, psychology and such, instead of real philosophy.
""Why are you testing me?", does God have to prove Himself and answer with answers you want to hear? What you NEED to hear isn't always what you want to hear. | For example, here are some things most don't like to be asked that I've experienced:
"When was your last confession?"
"Why don't you confess to your parish priest, but instead go to other towns to confess?"
"Why don't you truly believe in the complete Presence of Christ in the Eucharist?"
"What have you done for Christ this week?"
"Why don't you lead a ministry?"
"Why don't you go to church?"
"Why don't you visit the prisoners?"
"Why don't you feed the homeless often?"
"Why don't you visit the sick or fogotten?"
"Why don't you pray every day with your family?"
"Why don't you believe in the Catholic church fully?" And these are just the tip of the iceberg. Lord, I'm sorry for testing you. I'm sorry for not having faith.
Help us call down fire from Heaven...your fire Lord, and transform and renew the face of the earth. In you name Jesus we pray. |  click to hear | Random bible verse from an online generator: Romans 5:1 Peace with God Through Faith 5
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we1 have peace with God through our Lord Jesus 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 | | |
