 |  clickable | | Jesus Shows Us the Way In a world where people "look for love in all the wrong places"— settling for second-rate substitutes that can result in addictions, family strife, depression, and suicide—Jesus shows us a way. He is the answer to all our questions, no matter what our age or state of life. He offers solace to those aching for relief. He offers truth to young people who are searching for deeper meaning and security. He restores the dignity and moral center of those who are looking for life and see only death. To each of these weary souls, Jesus says: "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest…learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28–29). —from the book Healing Promises: The Essential Guide to the Sacred Heart by Anne Costa |  MorningOffering.com | †Saint Quote
"In the first place it should be known that if a person is seeking God, his beloved is seeking him much more." — St. John of the Cross † Meditation of the Day
"[The] ultimate end of man we call beatitude. For a man's happiness or beatitude consists in the vision whereby he sees God in His essence. Of course, man is far below God in the perfection of his beatitude. For God has this beatitude by His very nature, whereas man attains beatitude by being admitted to a share in the divine light." — St. Thomas Aquinas, p. 119 An Excerpt From Aquinas's Shorter Summa † VERSE OF THE DAY
"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!" Luke 12:4-5 |  click to read more | | St. Emily de Vialar St. Emily de Vialar (1797–1856) was born in Gaillac, France to an aristocratic family in the years following the French Revolution. Because the Catholic faith was under severe persecution, she was baptized in secret by her parents and her religious instruction was given at home. She was a devout child who displayed an aptitude for prayer, and she shunned the luxuries of her state in life. After the death of her mother, her father arranged to find her a suitable husband when she reached 15 years of age. Emily, who desired to lead the religious life in service to the poor, resisted her father's attempts and endured his anger at her refusal. She desired also to repair the harm caused by the Revolution by catechizing the local children. Emily remained a virgin and privately consecrated herself to God while living in her father's home. When she was 21 she met a priest who helped her set up an out-patient service for the sick in her own home, which heightened her tense relationship with her father. When her grandfather died, Emily inherited a large fortune which allowed her independence in the service of God. She bought a large home in her town and began a religious order in service to the sick and poor, and to the education of children, which quickly flourished. In 40 years her order, called the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition, established 40 houses throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia. St. Emily de Valiar's feast day is June 17th. | Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 367 Reading 12 KGS 2:1, 6-14
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When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind,
he and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.
Elijah said to Elisha, "Please stay here;
the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan."
"As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live,
I will not leave you," Elisha replied.
And so the two went on together.
Fifty of the guild prophets followed and
when the two stopped at the Jordan,
they stood facing them at a distance.
Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up
and struck the water, which divided,
and both crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha,
"Ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you."
Elisha answered, "May I receive a double portion of your spirit."
"You have asked something that is not easy," Elijah replied.
"Still, if you see me taken up from you,
your wish will be granted; otherwise not."
As they walked on conversing,
a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them,
and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
When Elisha saw it happen he cried out,
"My father! my father! Israel's chariots and drivers!"
But when he could no longer see him,
Elisha gripped his own garment and tore it in two. Then he picked up Elijah's mantle that had fallen from him,
and went back and stood at the bank of the Jordan.
Wielding the mantle that had fallen from Elijah,
Elisha struck the water in his turn and said,
"Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?"
When Elisha struck the water it divided and he crossed over. Responsorial Psalm31:20, 21, 24 R. (25) Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
How great is the goodness, O LORD,
which you have in store for those who fear you,
And which, toward those who take refuge in you,
you show in the sight of the children of men.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence
from the plottings of men;
You screen them within your abode
from the strife of tongues.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones!
The LORD keeps those who are constant,
but more than requites those who act proudly.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord. Alleluia JN 14:23 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel
MT 6:1-6, 16-18
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Jesus said to his disciples:
"Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. "When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you." | DAILY MEDITATION: 2 KINGS 2:1, 6-14 Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah? (2 Kings 2:14) From Esau and Jacob to the prodigal son, stories about inheritance run throughout the Scriptures. In this passage, however, the focus is on a spiritual inheritance and not on something like money or land. When Elisha asked the prophet Elijah for a double portion of his spirit, he was asking for the honor of being set apart as Elijah's spiritual son. And by the end of the passage, we find Elisha stepping into this very role. It seems simple, doesn't it? Just pick up the prophet's mantle, and miracles will flow. But that's not exactly how it happened. Elisha was able to do all he did because he had spent many days, months, and years with his mentor, Elijah. He saw the man of God in action; he heard him preach; he prayed and fasted with him; he endured the same persecutions and challenges that Elijah did. In the end, when Elisha parted the Jordan River, it wasn't because he had Elijah's special cloak. It was because he had taken on Elijah's heart. In a similar way, you share in Christ's inheritance. The Holy Spirit that lived in him lives in you. But just as Elisha learned to be like Elijah by walking with him every day, you need to walk with Jesus every day so that you can take on his heart. That's what releases the power of the Spirit in your life! Do you go to Mass? Pray for your friends and family? Read Scripture? Talk to the Lord at home or at work? Every second spent with him counts! That's because as much as you are trying to please the Lord, he is working so much more in you. He always takes the little you give him and multiplies it immensely—just as he multiplied five loaves and two fishes! You may not have received a physical mantle as Elisha did, but you have received a spiritual one. Now, every bit of time you spend with Jesus is making a difference in your life. So follow Elisha's example and try to walk with Jesus today. Then watch him pour out his grace. "Thank you, Jesus, for paving the way for me to share in your inheritance." Psalm 31:20-21, 24
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 |  clickable | What is it about dads that when we buy our first car, or hit our first home run, or bowl a 300 or catch a big fish, or get the right girl, he's the first one we want to tell? We don't just want to make our dad proud. We long for our father's gaze. We long for his approval. We long for him to choose us and take delight in us... because we long for our heavenly Father's gaze. — Devin Schadt
from 7 Secrets of St. Joseph for Dads | my2cents:
""As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you,"
Sounds like out Lord's words, right?
Our Lord, before ascending into heaven said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19Therefore go andmake disciples of allnations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father,and of the Son, and of theHoly Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Jesus our King said that no one has ascended into Heaven except the one who has descended from Heaven.
The one who produces the exodus is with us.
A way out from sin and world of death. He leads us. How can we stray from He who we follow? | We pray today "Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord. Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones!
The LORD keeps those who are constant,
but more than requites those who act proudly." | Our Lord said ""Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father."
This is yet another direct opposition to what the world teaches...and protestanism. Theworld teaches pride and protestants teach not to believe in works...faith alone and scripture alone... you and your own faith. Not true. Recompense....paying...the last penny and God paying you in return.
We must take our Lord at His word. He will repay...be not afraid to pay...whatever the price and whatever it takes.
Pray in your inner room and our Father sees all in secret in your room.
Here's where it all begins. Your life of prayer. Your life with Him...and in turn...your life and light shared to the world.
The Mass exodus has begun.
Jesus invites us to follow the
Way
Truth
And Life
The true way to lay down your life...for the Kingdom. | Random bible verse from an online generator:
Mt 5 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?47 And if you greet only your brothers,Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated "brothers") may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(110, 146, 172); font-family: serif; vertical-align: top; text-decoration: none;">1 what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. | 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 | | |
