†Saint Quote
"The sacred heart of Christ is an inexhaustible fountain, and its sole desire is to pour itself out into the hearts of the humble so as to free them and prepare them to lead lives according to his good pleasure."
–St. Margaret Mary †Today's Meditation
"Mary remained with the donkey at the very entrance of the street while Joseph sought a lodging in the nearest houses—in vain, for Bethlehem was full of strangers, all running from place to place. Joseph returned to Mary, saying that as no shelter was to be found there, they would go on farther into the town. He led the donkey on by the bridle, and the Blessed Virgin walked beside him. When they came to the beginning of another street, Mary again stopped by the donkey, and Joseph again went from house to house in vain seeking a lodging, and again came sadly back. This happened several times, and the Blessed Virgin often had long to wait. Everywhere the houses were filled with people, everywhere he was turned away … Joseph led the Blessed Virgin to [a] tree, and made her a comfortable seat against its trunk with their bundles, so that she might rest while he sought for shelter in the houses near. … At first Mary stood upright, leaning against the tree. Her ample white woollen dress had no girdle and hung around her in folds: her head was covered with a white veil. Many people passed by and looked at her, not knowing that the Redeemer was so near to them. She was so patient, so humble, so full of hopeful expectation. Ah, she had to wait a long, long time; she sat down at last on the rug, crossing her feet under her. She sat with her head bent and her hands crossed below her breast. Joseph came back to her in great distress; he had found no shelter. His friends, of whom he had spoken to the Blessed Virgin, would hardly recognize him. He was in tears and Mary comforted him."
— Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich, p.185 An Excerpt From
The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary From the Visions of Ven. Anne Catherine Emmerich †Daily Verse
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful."
–James 5:16 |  click to read more | | St. Peter Canisius St. Peter Canisius (1521–1597) was born in Holland to a wealthy family. He was sent to the University of Cologne and met St. Peter Faber who influenced him to join the Jesuits. St. Peter Canisius became famous for his preaching and writing, and was one of the most influential Catholics of his time. He was instrumental in defending Catholicism against the Protestant revolt in Germany and surrounding countries. He famously wrote a popular-level catechism to counter the spreading heresies. The restoration of the Church in Germany is largely attributed to his catechetical work. He was adamant in promoting charity and courtesy towards Protestants in a time of great hostility. After the Council of Trent, he was chosen by the Vatican to help smuggle the documents of the Council into the hands of European bishops, avoiding the outposts of Protestant aggression, which was a difficult task at the time. For his brilliance in teaching Catholic doctrine, St. Peter Canisius was named a Doctor of the Church. His feast day is December 21st.
Find a Devotional for This Saint | Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent Lectionary: 198
Reading I 1 Sm 1:24-28 In those days,
Hannah brought Samuel with her,
along with a three-year-old bull,
an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine,
and presented him at the temple of the LORD in Shiloh.
After the boy's father had sacrificed the young bull,
Hannah, his mother, approached Eli and said:
"Pardon, my lord!
As you live, my lord,
I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD.
I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request.
Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD;
as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD."
She left Samuel there. Responsorial Psalm 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd R. (see 1a) My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
"My heart exults in the LORD, my horn is exalted in my God.
I have swallowed up my enemies; I rejoice in my victory."
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
"The bows of the mighty are broken, while the tottering gird on strength.
The well-fed hire themselves out for bread, while the hungry batten on spoil.
The barren wife bears seven sons, while the mother of many languishes."
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
"The LORD puts to death and gives life; he casts down to the nether world; he raises up again.
The LORD makes poor and makes rich, he humbles, he also exalts."
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
"He raises the needy from the dust; from the dung heap he lifts up the poor,
To seat them with nobles and make a glorious throne their heritage."
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior. Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 1:46-56 Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever." Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months
and then returned to her home. | Daily Meditation: 1 Samuel 1:24-28 I prayed for this child. . . . Now I, in turn, give him to the Lord. (1 Samuel 1:27, 28) How easy it is to let difficult or unexpected circumstances distract or derail us from following the Lord! A harsh word sets us on a path of self-pity, or that less-than-perfect situation causes us to fear how someone we love will manage. But through Hannah's example, we can learn to focus on God's presence and his faithfulness in the midst of life's ups and downs. Hannah had spent somewhere between two and three years preparing for the moment when she would offer her son, Samuel, back to the Lord. The day had finally arrived when Samuel was weaned and Hannah could fulfill the promise she had made to God. With grateful acknowledgment of God's goodness toward her, Hannah brought him to the place where she had first prayed for a child and left him with Eli, the priest. Samuel belonged to the Lord now. It was now up to Eli to train him to serve God and the whole people of Israel. But doesn't it seem strange that Hannah entrusted her son to the same person who had accused her three years prior of being drunk as she poured out her heart in prayer? Shouldn't she rather have rebuked Eli for his false accusation? But rather than getting sidetracked by the past, Hannah focused instead on fulfilling her promise to God. And God was faithful to her. Hannah went on to have five more children, while Samuel grew up strong in the Spirit of God. Christmas is less than three days away, and you may be distracted by any number of less-than-perfect circumstances. Take a moment to acknowledge them as you pray, but try to keep your focus on the Lord. He is coming as a newborn child who will one day offer his life for you just so you can live with him forever. Focus on the One who is present in the manger and in your heart. Then, as you work through whatever distractions or unpleasant situations you are facing, imitate Hannah. Try to keep your eyes on the Lord and his goodness to you. Trust that as you do, that goodness will shine through you. "Jesus, Son of God, no matter what is happening in my life this week, help me to stay focused on you." (Psalm) 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8
Luke 1:46-56 | From Today's Holy Scripture:
"Pardon, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD. I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request. Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD." This offering was from a barren woman, a woman who could not have children. She gave her only son to God. And God did amazing things, just read the book of Samuel. He became a warrior conqueror, and eventually is the very prophet/warrior that will anoint David as King. Samuel answers the description of the "prophet like Moses" predicted in Deuteronomy 18:15–22: like Moses, he has direct contact with Yahweh, acts as a judge, and is a perfect leader who never makes mistakes. Samuel's successful defense of the Israelites against their enemies demonstrates that they have no need for a king (who will, moreover, introduce inequality), yet despite this the people demand a king. But the king they are given is Yahweh's gift, and Samuel explains that kingship can be a blessing rather than a curse if they remain faithful to their God. On the other hand, total destruction of both king and people will result if they turn to wickedness.
Aside from all this though...look at the gift of the mother...to God. Look at the humility in true gratitude. | We pray in Psalms:
""The LORD puts to death and gives life; he casts down to the nether world; he raises up again. The LORD makes poor and makes rich, he humbles, he also exalts." My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior."
Soon we will hear the prayer for our Blessed Mother's lips...prayers from Scripture, let's go there...to her Bosom, where Her Beloved Son is now. | We heard in the Gospel today:
"Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him..." | In another translation we hear it said like this:
"And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name."
I'll probably be singing these exact words in daily Mass today, since I get to choose the songs! LOL. But these words, this prayer really hit the heart, especially when sung with the heart.
What does it mean to magnify the Lord? To make Him increase? To make myself decrease before Him? What does magnification do? What does the Magnificat of Mary do?
It shines the Light on Christ. It says "Look at what God has done!". It is a rightful praise and worship.
And so, to keep things brief, this is what has been illuminated into my soul, that Mother Mary is our very creation being purpose example. God created Eve to keep man company, but God created Mary to keep God company. Does this make sense?
She was created to carry the light of Christ.
And so were you. The more we can honor Mary and follow her example, the more we will be able to honor God and live His Way.
She is a pure vessel...of honor, and praise, and worship. She ushers new life of the New Covenant.
When you think of Mary, you automatically think of Christ.
When you see Mary, she is seeing Christ.
Everything about her revolves around Christ.
I hope I can explain this well one day, but all I can say for today, is that in my eyes, she is a marvelous being, spectacular, because I can see how God works in her, she sparkles, she is the true essence of true beauty. Grace is beyond words. All I can do is admire beautiful Mommy in Heaven. But there is a state about her, that demands reparation for harm done to Christ. And the demand is purity. The demand is prayer. The demand says to me "please help the body of Christ that was wounded"...by our transgressions. He can heal, if we so desire...for we are His Body. Pray the prayer I pray before her tears:
Mother of God, Pray for us, and For the Healing of the Body Of Christ. Amen. | from your brother in Christ,
Adrian |  click to hear | Random bible verse generator: I'm going to Count on Christ with this random bible verse: John 6:37
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
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