Gratitude to God Food is a symbol of our gratitude to God and our mutual appreciation for one another. It is a commodity to share as well as an expression of how much we care. Feeding the hungry is a virtue that must never be forgotten, dining with friends a value we cherish all the more. It is good to celebrate those moments—rare as they may be—where companionship around the table becomes a form of communion, where fantastic food seals friendships, where our vitality and our spirituality truly "wine and dine" together. —from the book Table of Plenty: Good Food for Body and Spirit
by Susan Muto |  MorningOffering.com | †Saint Quote
"If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes." — St. Clement of Alexandria †MEDITATION OF THE DAY "Nothing is sweeter than love; nothing stronger, nothing higher, nothing more generous, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller or better in Heaven or on earth; for love proceeds from God and cannot rest but in God above all things created." — Thomas a' Kempis, p. 87 †VERSE OF THE DAY "We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh." 2 Corinthians 4:8-11 |  click to read more | | SAINT OF THE DAYOUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL On November 27, 1830, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Catherine Laboure in Paris, France and gave her a vision of an image, with instructions to strike the image, front and back, onto a medal. With this medal Our Lady promised that, "All those who wear it will receive great graces; these graces will be abundant for those who wear it with faith." The medal bears an image of Our Lady standing on the world, the serpent crushed under her feet, with arms extended and graces pouring forth from her hands. On the reverse is a cross surmounted by the letter 'M', and beneath it the side-by-side symbols of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, all encircled by twelve stars. The medal symbolizes Mary's perfect spiritual union with Jesus' redemptive mission, and, consequently, her intercessory role in salvation history as the mediatrix of God's graces to mankind through her Son. The medal spread widely and became a source of many graces and miracles for its wearers, earning the name "Miraculous Medal." It is traditionally worn around the neck and has become a treasured sacramental of the Catholic Church. Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal's feast day is November 27th. | Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 507 Reading 1 RV 20:1-4, 11—21:2 I, John, saw an angel come down from heaven,
holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a heavy chain.
He seized the dragon, the ancient serpent,
which is the Devil or Satan,
and tied it up for a thousand years and threw it into the abyss,
which he locked over it and sealed,
so that it could no longer lead the nations astray
until the thousand years are completed.
After this, it is to be released for a short time. Then I saw thrones; those who sat on them were entrusted with judgment.
I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded
for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God,
and who had not worshiped the beast or its image
nor had accepted its mark on their foreheads or hands.
They came to life and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Next I saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it.
The earth and the sky fled from his presence
and there was no place for them.
I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne,
and scrolls were opened.
Then another scroll was opened, the book of life.
The dead were judged according to their deeds,
by what was written in the scrolls.
The sea gave up its dead;
then Death and Hades gave up their dead.
All the dead were judged according to their deeds.
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire.
(This pool of fire is the second death.)
Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life
was thrown into the pool of fire. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Responsorial Psalm PS 84:3, 4, 5-6A AND 8A R. (Rev. 21:3b) Here God lives among his people.
My soul yearns and pines
for the courts of the LORD.
My heart and my flesh
cry out for the living God.
R. Here God lives among his people.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest
in which she puts her young–
Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my king and my God!
R. Here God lives among his people.
Blessed they who dwell in your house!
continually they praise you.
Blessed the men whose strength you are!
They go from strength to strength.
R. Here God lives among his people. Alleluia LUKE 21:28 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel
LK 21:29-33
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Jesus told his disciples a parable.
"Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away." | DAILY MEDITATION: LUKE 21:29-33 Know that the Kingdom of God is near. (Luke 21:31) Have you noticed how many of our readings the past couple of weeks have focused on Jesus' triumphant return at the end of time? Certainly, it's a good thing to think about here at the end of the liturgical year, and it's good to be prepared to welcome the Lord when he returns. But many of these passages, like today's Gospel, can also be read in the light of the kingdom's presence among us right now. Yes, there is more to come, but we are already living in that new creation in which Jesus, the crucified and risen Lord, reigns. What does it look like and feel like when God lives in the midst of his people? Here's one way to think about it. As we head into the holiday season, you will likely have many opportunities to see God working among your family, friends, and community. All of these can be signs of what life in God's kingdom is like. For instance, you might notice how the shelves of your local food bank are overflowing, not only with necessary staples, but with special treats as well. Or you might see a toy collection box filled with gifts for children at a local shelter. You might notice one of your neighbors visiting the elderly couple down the street and helping them decorate their house. You might even be surprised by a relative's openness to share what's going on in their life or their desire to reconcile with you. Now, it's easy to see God's kingdom breaking into our world through the selflessness or generosity of the people around us. But the kingdom is also at hand when situations don't look quite so heavenly. Sometimes family gatherings become contentious. Or the gift giving of the holiday season only makes you feel more lonely. Or severe weather highlights the plight of the homeless. But the kingdom is still there. Jesus is there, suffering with the poor and mourning over our divisions. He is there, embracing us in our isolation. Indeed, Jesus is King. We can see and know it no matter what life throws at us. And that gives us hope. "Jesus, give me eyes to see signs of your kingdom right here and right now." Revelation 20:1-4, 11–21:2
Psalm 84:3-6, 8 |  clickable | Take a look at your soul and how short time is; consider the fact that you must die, and you don't know when.
— St. Catherine of Siena
from Sermon in a Sentence Vol III | my2cents:
'Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.'
He makes all things new.
He desires to do so in you and through you. | We pray: "Blessed they who dwell in your house! continually they praise you.
Blessed the men whose strength you are!
They go from strength to strength.
Here God lives among his people."
He lives! Among us. | Our Lord said, "Consider the fig tree and all the other trees." Consider how trees give signs. Now consider how we can give signs. He is prophesying. His prophetic message is forever.
Consider the times.
Consider what is going on. Look around. Do you see what is happening?
It is a sign.
Our Lord has been betrayed. By who? The atheists? How can they betray God if they don't supposedly believe? No. Betrayal means Judas. Betrayal means from a loved one.
We have betrayed Him as a whole.
We have been permissive.
Our people allow sin. Do not let sin reign.
Do not let your light to go out. Do not run out of oil.
How can we get oil?
Tap into the source. | In baptism, we are prophets.
We shall proclaim the truth wherever it may lead us.
'Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away." Lord, may we discern the time for awakening and reckoning what is at hand. Your Jerusalem....Your great love. | Random Bible verse from online generator Random Bible Verse 1
Deuteronomy 8:17–18
[Deuteronomy 8] 17 Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' 18 You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. ...
4 The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.1 | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
