An Ocean of Divine Love We may read volumes and volumes on the art of swimming, yet we'll never understand what swimming is like unless we get wet. So we may read all the books ever written on the love of God and never understand loving unless we love. Where love is genuine, belonging is always mutual. It is like submerging ourselves into an ocean of sublime grace. —from the book The Way of Silence: Engaging the Sacred in Daily Life
by Brother David Steindl-Rast |  MorningOffering.com | †Saint Quote
"He took what is mine in order that He might impart to me what is His. He took it not to overturn it but to fill it."
– St. Ambrose † MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"[Jesus] sees in children traits and attitudes that are essential in anyone if he is to gain heaven, and, even in this life, if he is to enter the kingdom of faith. A child is devoid of even the slightest feeling of self-sufficiency. It is in constant need of its parents, and knows it. A child is fundamentally a being in need, and this is what a Christian should be before his Father God, a being in total need. A child lives fully in the present and nothing more. The adult's less admirable predisposition is to look restlessly to the future, ignoring the here and now, the present moment, which ought to be lived to the full."
—Fr. Francis Fernández Carvajal, pg 170
AN EXCERPT FROM
In Conversation With God - Vol. 1 - Advent and Christmas † VERSE OF THE DAY
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 |  click to read more | | ST. HILARY OF POITIERS St. Hilary of Poitiers (300–368 A.D.) was born in France to noble pagan parents. He was well instructed in philosophy and converted to Christianity after studying the Old and New Testaments. He was baptized into the Church along with his wife and daughter. He was widely respected by the people of Poitiers, so much so that they elected him their bishop. Hilary worked hard to defend the Catholic Church against the entrenched heresy of Arianism which resulted in his four-year exile to Phrygia, and his popular title, "Hammer of the Arians." Although he was a gentle and courteous man, he was labeled a 'disturber of the peace' for defending Jesus' sacred humanity and divinity against the Arian heretics, the only orthodox bishop in his region doing so. He was renowned for his great learning and sanctity, and for defending the Church valiantly in word and by pen. While in exile he wrote numerous and important theological works resulting in his title as a Doctor of the Church. St. Hilary's feast day is January 13. | Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 307
Reading I Heb 2:14-18 Since the children share in blood and Flesh,
Jesus likewise shared in them,
that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested. Responsorial Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9 R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name; make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength; seek to serve him constantly.
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations--
Which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac.
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia. Alleluia Jn 10:27 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord.
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 1:29-39 On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you."
He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come."
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee. | Daily Meditation: Mark 1:29-39 Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35) The hour when Jesus arose to pray was not just early; according to Scripture scholars, it was more like the middle of the night! After such an exhausting day ministering to people, why did Jesus willingly sacrifice sleep? We might think that he didn't need to make such a sacrifice. After all, he was doing so much good work for the sake of the kingdom. Why not catch up on prayer later? Yet clearly, Jesus' greater need was to spend time in the company of his Father—even at the cost of his rest. When the disciples find him, they try to press him into even more service (Mark 1:37). But despite the time of day, despite his lack of sleep, and despite the interruption, Jesus tells Simon that he wants to leave that place. It was time to visit the nearby villages in order to preach to the people there (1:38). Refreshed by his prayer and aware of his calling, Jesus is ready to move on. If you struggle to find time to pray, this passage can help you. Sometimes the excessive demands of life require that you get more rest. God knows about your physical needs; he cares about you and he doesn't want you to get worn down. But he also knows that you need to connect with him each day. The more you serve, in fact, the more depleted you may feel, emotionally, physically, and mentally. Which means the more you need to be replenished by resting in the company of your heavenly Father. The next time you feel sapped by the demands of life, call to mind Jesus' dedication to spending time with his Father. By all means, make an effort to get some extra sleep. But at the same time, don't forgo your time with God. Prayer will reenergize you and supply you with all that you need. It will enable you to serve as he did—with strength, conviction, and even joy. "When I feel too tired to pray, Lord, remind me of the rich reward of time in your presence." Hebrews 2:14-18
Psalm 105:1-9 |  clickable | To be a priest means that I must continually be purified and overcome by Christ so that he is the one who speaks and acts in me, and less and less myself. This process, which consists of becoming one with him and renouncing what belongs only to me, lasts a whole lifetime and continually includes liberations and painful renewals.
— Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
from the book From the Depths of Our Hearts | my2cents:
"Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested."
Have you ever been through so much stress and at a loss in faith, that you wondered if our Lord knows truly what this feels like? So many today, find themselves in this situation. Perhaps, even you find yourself in this situation. But be rest assured, our Lord knows. And so our questioning, our being lost, is one of solitude. The reason we ask, is because we feel alone. But be rest assured, you are not alone. This is why our Lord came to prove He knows, that He came to be human, and came to be tested, and came, not to know, but to be made one with us more intimately. And then we speak of the Holy Spirit. | We prayed: "You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! He, the LORD, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail." Who are the sons of Jacob? Israel. Who is Israel? I'm about to make another video about the answer. The family of God. Chosen ones. Today is the birthday of a godson of mine. Not physical birth, but birth in Christ. Now we are family. Do you understand O Israel? We are one in the Body of Christ. | In the Holy Gospel we heard:
"He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them."
What happened here? In reading Holy Scripture, in Lectio Divina, we are asked to take readings serious. Calm down. Breathe. Pray. Meditate. Put yourself into the story, the Holy Scripture. Imagine yourself in it. As I do this, I imagine our Lord, as He is walking into the house, Simon tells Him "come in, forgive us Rabbi, but my mother cannot get up right now, she is feeling very ill and cannot come to meet us, much less serve us, perhaps You could help her Rabbi". And our Lord is directed to her, and she sees Him, opening the door, her heart is pounding faster, she is shivering, and weak. Been down for days. But when they lock eyes, something happens. Faith has entered the scene. Something inexplicable has happened already. In Spanish it is called "una mirada de fe", that "look of faith". But it is so much more. It tears down barriers. This look without asking, changes everything. It is the same look our Lord did to the disciples. They say, in the hereafter, souls speak not with mouths and lungs and breathe, but through hearts, their very being. This is what Christ our Lord does. And so, He says nothing but takes her hand, and she knows the fever is basically nothing. She has energy. She has warmth of His hand. She is helped onto her feet. Saint Petra we will call her, for her son is Petros (rock) in Greek. Why is she a saint and a saint not mentioned that we know? Do you need to know? Blessed are those who do not know, they are saints! Petra gets up. What is she immediately filled with? Love and gratitude. Ever been in that situation? And gratitude becomes a living being. | Word travels quicker than any social media on the planet. This is how, and this is why the Word exists today. The Word is like lightning. We heard:
"The whole town was gathered at the door." Why? Because, they heard good news. "The healer is here". LOL. I wonder how many heard " GOD IS HERE"? Because our ears are tuned to selfishness though, they heard " the healer is here". But that's ok. Our Lord still heals the broken. The possessed. The obsessed. The stricken. I'd say most of healings people desire lately is of depression. Is this a demonic oppression? In some cases, it could be a simple influence of evil. Just a coupe days ago, a choir member said "I'm going to take a break from choir". I knew who was speaking. It was that depressing spirit. So what did I do? Get offended? Get mad? Get sad? Nope. I'm tired of getting upset, or worried, or sad. So what did I do? LOL. I texted back "ahh, that's too bad, because I was really looking forward to singing this song with you on Sunday (her favorite song). Was it a bribe? No. I think it is the Lord never wanting to let you go. So she said "Ok, I'll stay till Sunday". But by then, I'm working up another plan. What's my point? Someone here has to be faith. Someone here has to have the look of faith. Someone here has to be healer. Someone here is you. You have authority my friend. You can keep fires going. I'm writing to you in the name of our Father, just like the video I made says REMAIN. Turn on lights. Do not let them turn off on your watch. Speaking of which, our Lord does tremendous things in the night. And He takes off before dawn to the next town, to do it all over again, that look of faith, that touching, that healing, that loving, that evangelizing saying "I AM with you" Lord, thank you for being with me. Thank You for being with us. I love that look. I want to be that look. I want to feel that look. I want to see that look. Help us be one in the body, Your precious body! | from your brother in Christ our Lord,
adrian | Random online bible verse: 11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment