 franciscanmedia.org | Letting Go of Ego An ego response is always an inadequate or even wrong response to the moment. It will not deepen or broaden life, love, or inner laughter. Your ego self is always attached to mere externals, since it has no inner substance itself. The ego defines itself by its attachments and revulsions. The soul does not attach nor does it hate; it desires and loves and lets go. Please think about that, it can change your very notion of religion. —from the book Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps
by Richard Rohr, OFM |  MorningOffering.com | †Saint Quote
"You must accept your cross; if you bear it courageously it will carry you to Heaven."
— St. John Vianney † MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"In truth, if the earth and all it contains must one day disappear by fire, the goods of this world are no more to be esteemed than wood and straw. What point is there, then, in making them the object of our desires and cares? Why seek to build and leave marks of our genius and power where we have no permanent abode, and where the form of this world will be removed, like a tent that has no travelers to shelter? It may be said that it will be a thousand years before this frightening cataclysm takes place; but Christ has said that a thousand years are but an instant compared with eternity, and when the moment comes—when, from the land of the future life, we are the witnesses and actors in that supreme drama—the whole span of humanity will seem so short to us that we shall scarcely consider it to have lasted a single day … Christ tells us to meditate upon these great teachings, for it is certain that we shall be taken by surprise, and that the time will come sooner than we think."
— Father Charles Arminjon, p. 28
AN EXCERPT FROM
The End of the Present World † VERSE OF THE DAY
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4 |  click to read more | | ST. JULIANA St. Juliana of Nicomedia (c. 270 A.D.) was the daughter of noble pagan parents, born in Nicomedia, a Greek city in ancient Turkey. Although her father was hostile to Christians, Juliana secretly accepted baptism. Her father arranged her marriage to a pagan nobleman and Roman senator. When the time for her wedding came, Juliana refused her consent to be married unless her betrothed converted to the Christian faith. Her father retaliated by mercilessly abusing her, but Juliana would not give in. Her betrothed then denounced her as a Christian before the tribunal under the persecutions of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. St. Juliana was unwavering in her faith, even after the devil himself appeared to tempt her during her sufferings. She was then publicly tortured by being burned, boiled in oil, and finally beheaded. Some accounts say she died together with St. Barbara. Many were converted to the Christian faith upon witnessing her fortitude in the face of her tortures. St. Juliana is the patron saint of sickness and bodily ills. Her feast day is February 16th. | Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 336
Reading I Gn 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10 When the LORD saw how great was man's wickedness on earth,
and how no desire that his heart conceived
was ever anything but evil,
he regretted that he had made man on the earth,
and his heart was grieved. So the LORD said:
"I will wipe out from the earth the men whom I have created,
and not only the men,
but also the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air,
for I am sorry that I made them."
But Noah found favor with the LORD. Then the LORD said to Noah:
"Go into the ark, you and all your household,
for you alone in this age have I found to be truly just.
Of every clean animal, take with you seven pairs,
a male and its mate;
and of the unclean animals, one pair,
a male and its mate;
likewise, of every clean bird of the air, seven pairs,
a male and a female,
and of all the unclean birds, one pair,
a male and a female.
Thus you will keep their issue alive over all the earth.
Seven days from now I will bring rain down on the earth
for forty days and forty nights,
and so I will wipe out from the surface of the earth
every moving creature that I have made."
Noah did just as the LORD had commanded him. As soon as the seven days were over,
the waters of the flood came upon the earth. Responsorial Psalm 29:1a and 2, 3ac-4, 3b and 9c-10 R. (11b) The Lord will bless his people with peace.
Give to the LORD, you sons of God, give to the LORD glory and praise,
Give to the LORD the glory due his name; adore the LORD in holy attire.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters, the LORD, over vast waters.
The voice of the LORD is mighty; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The God of glory thunders, and in his temple all say, "Glory!"
The LORD is enthroned above the flood; the LORD is enthroned as king forever.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace. Alleluia Jn 14:23 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord;
and my Father will love him
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 8:14-21 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread,
and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.
Jesus enjoined them, "Watch out,
guard against the leaven of the Pharisees
and the leaven of Herod."
They concluded among themselves that
it was because they had no bread.
When he became aware of this he said to them,
"Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread?
Do you not yet understand or comprehend?
Are your hearts hardened?
Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?
And do you not remember,
when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand,
how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?"
They answered him, "Twelve."
"When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand,
how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?"
They answered him, "Seven."
He said to them, "Do you still not understand?" | Daily Meditation: Mark 8:14-21 They concluded among themselves . . . (Mark 8:16) A seasoned kayaker would know to make sure he has packed enough food and water for his journey. So why did the Twelve, most of whom were fishermen who made their living on the water, forget to pack food before they got into their boat? Perhaps the excitement of having just seen Jesus multiply the loaves and fishes overcame them. Or maybe they left in a hurry so that Jesus could return before dark. If today's Gospel makes anything clear, it's that following Jesus was both absorbing and puzzling at times. Even his most offhanded sayings could be mysterious and raise enough questions to keep the disciples preoccupied. Why, for instance, was Jesus talking about the "leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod" (Mark 8:15)? Perhaps he was using their forgotten provisions to make a point. Whatever the case, while the disciples' focus was turned toward something immediate—lack of bread—Jesus wanted to share heavenly truth. On this day in that boat, he was cautioning them to be on guard against vain self-reliance, which can easily spread like leaven in bread. The opposite of this leaven, according to Jesus, is trusting in his Father's power and provision, a habit that also spreads and grows. "Do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand?" he asked them (Mark 8:18-19). When Jesus multiplied food for the crowds, he gave us the perfect example of confidently turning to God for his needs and the needs of the people around him. Jesus always kept his Father in mind, and his miracles were signs meant to strengthen the disciples'—and our own—faith in his Father. They were meant to teach us what it looks like when we place our faith in God. We can't fault the disciples for their forgetfulness, confusion, or their human thinking. Just like them, we're all still learning and growing. But today's Gospel reminds us that the difference between our abilities and God's power and love is far greater than we can imagine. God longs for us to place our trust and our understanding fully in him, as Jesus did. "Father, multiply my faith in your providence just as you multiplied food for the crowds." Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10
Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10 |  clickable | If mourning and dancing are part of the same movement of grace, we can be grateful for every moment we have lived. We can claim our unique journey as God's way to mold our hearts to greater conformity to Christ.
— Henri Nouwen | my2cents:
""Go into the ark, you and all your household, for you alone in this age have I found to be truly just."
And so our Lord commanded that every creature male with female to go out on the ark to create a new world. And so the earth was cleansed, the earth was baptized. The world would not be the same. Atheists and protestants ask why we Catholic baptize babies. It is a cleansing. That's why. It is an incorporation. You didn't choose your family. But GOD DID. | We prayed today: "The Lord will bless his people with peace. The voice of the LORD is over the waters, the LORD, over vast waters. The voice of the LORD is mighty;
the voice of the LORD is majestic."
And so the voice of the Lord over something turns into something. Think Genesis. Think the incarnation. Think of the feeding of thousands with a few loaves. Think of the Holy Eucharist, when He says it is Him. There is power in the Word. | In the Holy Gospel we heard: "The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, "Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."
So let's get things cleared up. The disciples said they didn't really have bread. Yet, they had one loaf, and our Lord. What does this mean? It means "O ye of little faith". What of the mustard seed parable? And it boils down to me and you. You don't have much. But you do got something and our Lord. What else do you need? Why are you worried? Are you upset with yourself because you don't feel prepared, or forgot to prepare? Are you tormenting yourself "I should've done more"? Are you with the Lord but not really WITH Him?
Only hard hearts fail to have faith, what is true understanding. | "Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?" Lord, you are in this boat with us. You are the new Covenant from the Ark of Mary. Now you wish to be in our boat, our temple. I want to build the ark of faith to house You O Lord, I want to be a new creation after the flood of Baptism. Help us be with You always. That is my heart's desire. | from your brother in Christ our Lord,
adrian | Random online bible verse from a random verse generator: James 5:8 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. verse: Psalm 126:5
version: KJV | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
