†Saint Quote
"Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love."
— St. Therese of Lisieux †MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"When we generously accept God's Word, especially in the Commandments, we are doing God's Will in all things. To live the Will of God is the greatest sacrifice and personal denial."
— Rev. Thomas J. Donaghy, p. 17
AN EXCERPT FROM
Inspirational Thoughts for Every Day † VERSE OF THE DAY
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be."
John 14:1-3 |  click to read more | | ST. LAWRENCE OF ROME
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St. Lawrence of Rome (d. 258 A.D.) was likely a Spaniard by birth who lived in Rome while Christianity was outlawed under pain of death. He was appointed by Pope St. Sixtus II as archdeacon over the seven deacons of Rome, and held the sacred duty of tending to the Church's wealth and distributing alms to the poor. After Pope St. Sixtus II was beheaded by Roman Emperor Valerian, along with the six other deacons, Lawrence was left as the highest-ranking clergy in Rome. He was ordered by the Roman authorities to appear before the tribunal—a summons to his execution—along with the treasures of the Church that were in his possession. St. Lawrence then quickly distributed the Church's wealth to the poor so that the government could not confiscate it. On the appointed day, August 10th, Lawrence responded to the summons by bringing with him a multitude of the poor and crippled of Rome; these he proclaimed to be the true treasure of the Church. This angered the authorities so greatly that Lawrence was ordered to be burned alive on a gridiron. He was bound to the metal grate and slowly roasted to death over hot coals. During his torture Lawrence famously mocked his torturers by saying, "I am done on this side, turn me over." St. Lawrence is the patron saint of many causes including cooks, chefs, comedians, deacons, librarians, students, and the poor. His feast day is August 10th. | Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
Lectionary: 618 Reading I 2 Cor 9:6-10 Brothers and sisters:
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.
Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you,
so that in all things, always having all you need,
you may have an abundance for every good work.
As it is written: He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food
will supply and multiply your seed
and increase the harvest of your righteousness. Responsorial Psalm 112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9 R. (5) Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved; the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear till he looks down upon his foes.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Lavishly he gives to the poor, his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need. Alleluia Jn 8:12bc R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness
but will have the light of life, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 12:24-26 Jesus said to his disciples:
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me." | DAILY MEDITATION: JOHN 12:24-26
Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies . . . (John 12:24) You have likely heard the tale of the martyrdom of St. Lawrence, whose feast we celebrate today. Arrested by the emperor Valerian, Lawrence was burned alive on a metal grate. He seemed so unfazed by the torture, so the story goes, that he told his tormentors, "Turn me over; I'm done on this side!" When we hear stories like this one about the saints and heroes of our faith, we might feel a little intimidated. We marvel at the impact they made on the world with their courage, fervor, and love for God. We might feel that we could never do something so noteworthy or significant. If you're having such thoughts, it's time to listen to another great saint, Thérèse of Lisieux. "The most trivial work," she said, "the least action when inspired by love, is often of greater merit than the most outstanding achievement." Of course, that's not to question the merit of the impressive feats of the saints. But it should encourage each one of us. Every Christian is called to love, and that involves choosing to put someone else's needs ahead of our own. It's a kind of death to self that we can experience every day—a "death" that can produce "much fruit" for God's kingdom because it directly touches the lives of the people around us (John 12:24). So how is God calling you to love today? It may be in small ways, but every act of love can make a big difference in someone's life. Perhaps you will be challenged to show patience to a moody spouse or child. Perhaps you'll be inspired to give up your favorite food or entertainment as a fast for the conversion of a loved one. Or maybe you will take time to help a friend when you had already planned to do something else. It doesn't matter so much how you choose to love. Just know that whenever you put God first and give of yourself for someone else, you are following in the footsteps of the saints. "Holy Spirit, lead me today. Help me to follow every inspiration you send me to love my neighbor." 2 Corinthians 9:6-10
Psalm 112:1-2, 5-9 |  Listen to 2cents | my2cents:
Brothers and sisters:
"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.
Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you,
so that in all things, always having all you need,
you may have an abundance for every good work." One can wonder "what's the point if evil will always exist"?
The point is a call then...to fidelity. Sincerity. Faithfulness. From Abraham...to you, today. | We pray today:
"An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear till he looks down upon his foes. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need." | Our Lord speaks;
"Jesus said to his disciples:
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me." | From Bishop Barron today: "Friends, our Gospel for today contains one of the most beautiful and terrible summations of the Christian message: "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit." And now this one upon whom the crowds had pinned their hopes is speaking of falling to the earth and dying. And then it gets stranger. "Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in the world will preserve it for eternal life." Come again?! Just when we are raising you up, Jesus, you're talking about falling down; just when we are seeing how your life has come to its fulfillment, you're talking about hating this life. To understand what all this means, we should go back to the grain of wheat that falls to the earth. A seed's life is inside, yes, but it's a life that grows by being given away and mixing with the soil around it. It has to crack open, be destroyed. Jesus' sign is the sign of the cross, the death that leads to transfiguration." What is a new day like? It is a day to repent and remember. St. Lawrence is the patron of Deacons.
He was told by worldly evil dictators to give up their gold. St. Lawrence brings the gold...the treasure of God...the poor, the lowly, and the proud resented him for it. They failed to catch the message.
Have we caught it too? Or do we fail to see God's treasure? Let's pray;
Lord I'm afraid of the giants...but I do not want to be afraid of proclaiming Your message.
I pray for abundant grace to keep the fire going...and to set the world I live in...on fire! | from your brother in Christ,
Adrian |  click to hear | Random bible verse generator: Zephaniah 3:17
[Zephaniah 3] 17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
