†Saint Quote
"Be sure that you first preach by the way you live. If you do not, people will notice that you say one thing, but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head."
— St. Charles Borromeo †MEDITATION OF THE DAY
"The will of God gives to all things a supernatural and divine value for the soul submitting to it. The duties it imposes, and those it contains, with all the matters over which it is diffused, become holy and perfect, because, being unlimited in power, everything it touches shares its divine character. ... The entire virtue of all that is called holy is in its approximation to this order established by God; therefore nothing should be rejected, nothing sought after, but everything accepted that is ordained and nothing attempted contrary to the will of God. ... When God requires action, sanctity is to be found in activity."
—Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade, p. 15
AN EXCERPT FROM
Abandonment to Divine Providence †VERSE OF THE DAY
"So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight."
2 Corinthians 5:6-7 |  click to read more | | ST. KIERAN THE YOUNGER St. Kieran the Younger (512-546 A.D.), also known as St. Ciaran, was born in Connacht, Ireland, the son of a carpenter. He demonstrated a great aptitude in his studies, being educated by a holy deacon who had him baptized. Kieran tended cattle in the fields before continuing his education at Saint Finnian's monastery school at Clonard, where he became a monk. He soon earned the reputation for being the most learned monk at Clonard, and was held in high esteem by his instructors and peers. Kieran's years of residence there were marked by many miracles. He also mentored, befriended, and tutored many of the founders of the Catholic Church in Ireland. Saint Kieran eventually left Clonard and went on to found the famous Clonmacnoise Abbey in West Meath Ireland, which attracted thousands of students from all over Europe. St. Kieran was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland - the first twelve bishops in Ireland consecrated by St. Patrick. He is also honored as the first Irish-born saint. St. Kieran's feast day is September 9th. | Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest Lectionary: 440
Reading I Col 3:12-17 Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one Body.
And be thankful.
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. Responsorial Psalm 150:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6 R. (6) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the LORD in his sanctuary, praise him in the firmament of his strength.
Praise him for his mighty deeds, praise him for his sovereign majesty.
R. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise him with the blast of the trumpet, praise him with lyre and harp,
Praise him with timbrel and dance, praise him with strings and pipe.
R. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise him with sounding cymbals, praise him with clanging cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Alleluia.
R. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Alleluia 1 Jn 4:12 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If we love one another,
God remains in us,
and his love is brought to perfection in us.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 6:27-38 Jesus said to his disciples:
"To you who hear I say, love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.
To the person who strikes you on one cheek,
offer the other one as well,
and from the person who takes your cloak,
do not withhold even your tunic.
Give to everyone who asks of you,
and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
For if you love those who love you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who do good to you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners do the same.
If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners lend to sinners,
and get back the same amount.
But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,
and lend expecting nothing back;
then your reward will be great
and you will be children of the Most High,
for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful. "Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you." | Daily Meditation: Luke 6:27-38 Love your enemies. (Luke 6:35) God is love. God is kind. God is compassionate. He is our heavenly Father, and he wants only good for us. Statements like these can be a great source of comfort and hope for us, and it's good for us to keep them in the forefront of our minds. But the truth is, God is far more loving and merciful than we can imagine. He loves each of us so much that he has made us his children in Christ. And as any good earthly father would do, he wants to teach us to be like himself. That means he wants to teach us to love. For the most part, we are happy to follow him and try to be as loving and kind and generous as possible. In fact, each of us could probably fill a whole room with "neighbors" to whom we've shown love and for whom we have done acts of kindness. But what happens when someone you consider an enemy walks into that room? Maybe someone who has betrayed you or whose life choices you find offensive—is that person your neighbor too? Now, most of us, when faced with this challenging person, would probably not lash out or do anything to embarrass them. We may just try to ignore them or push them from our thoughts. But what if God whispers in your ear, "I want you to go up to that person and greet them warmly"? What if he tells you, "I love that person just as deeply and compassionately as I love you. Can you please share that love with them?" That might be more of a challenge. But this is what Jesus meant when he told us to love our enemies. He wants our love to be as full and unconditional as his. That's what will make us "children of the Most High" in the truest sense of the word (Luke 6:35). Perhaps you already have someone in mind as you are reading this meditation. If you can, bring this person to Jesus in your heart. Imagine the two of you standing before him side-by-side. Ask the Lord for the grace to forgive or accept or love this person—whatever you need. If you can't do this, then ask Jesus to help you be patient with yourself as you try to take the next step toward reconciliation. "Father, thank you for loving all of us equally. Help me to live in that love and to share it with everyone." Colossians 3:12-17
Psalm 150:1-6 |  Listen to 2cents | From today's 1st Holy Scripture: "And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one Body.
And be thankful.
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." So, a few weeks ago, I rented a small hotel conference room in our small town for 8 of us who went to a Promise Keepers Conference in a stadium. I wanted to encourage all and to provide free breakfast. I rented it after in our group text everyone seemed ok with date and time.
I arrived, waited, and one guy drove 100 miles saying he was speeding to get there thinking he was late. Meeting was at 7am. He was there about 7:20am. Nobody else was responding except my godson/nephew, finally showed up about 730AM. The rest did not respond well.
So who was the true promise keeper? Was it a gloomy and devastating meeting? No. It was good and encouraging still, for where 2 or 3 are gathered, He is there. But as for the rest? I wondered what they felt? Guilt? No longer enthusiastic for the Lord? One was almost thrown in jail a few days before, for DUI. Another is said to be back on addictions. Another almost got shot by an enemy. What did yours truly feel?
You see, what you don't know, is that I had called the meeting to eat and gather, for us to help one another facing these EXACT issues!
So what did I feel afterwards? Regret? Remorse? Anger? Frustration? No. I had a tugging sensation that said "they owe me". They owe me love. I reached out and they did not come. I provided a banquet, and they refused. I was prepared to do so much for them...and I still am. But we must all do our part. I cannot help an addict without breaking them down, or if they can come on their own...will.
They owe me, not an apology. They owe me, not breakfast. They owe me the return of thanksgiving, for having provided and they had not come.
Now, I am speaking of 70% of Christians, who refuse to believe Jesus in the Eucharist.
He provides a banquet on Sunday morning. He feeds HIMSELF. And those who refuse and their sin they choose, they owe Him, gratitude.
Does this makes sense? Let's continue. | We pray today in the Psalms:
"Praise the LORD in his sanctuary, praise him in the firmament of his strength.
Praise him for his mighty deeds, praise him for his sovereign majesty.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise him with the blast of the trumpet, praise him with lyre and harp,
Praise him with timbrel and dance,
praise him with strings and pipe. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Alleluia." | Our Lord speaks:
"...But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,
and lend expecting nothing back;
then your reward will be great
and you will be children of the Most High,
for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful." Do good to enemies? I have a hard time telling others this, it doesn't make sense, especially to worldly new students. There's someone that hates you and you have to do good to them?
And if I LEND money, expect nothing back? That doesn't make sense, that's not a loan, then it is a donation! We are taught to sue! But listen to what God says "for He Himself is KIND to the ungrateful, and the wicked". Therefore, He says, BE MERCIFUL.
Don't we love Mercy on us?
Then you be mercy too, always, in every little thing.
This is a call to perfection. To humility. To true love. All signs of God, in Jesus, our Lord. | Our Lord continues:
"Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you." As of late, we've had many in the homosexual movement yell at people of faith "STOP JUDGING". And they are quoting the bible. But you have to keep reading what our Lord says! You can't pick and choose beliefs. Read the rest of the quote from our Lord! Too many are attempting to change the laws of God. Just a few days ago, the speaker for the president called out all to pray a Hail Mary for the murder of unborn children...called, abortion. Is this movement (not a political party, but a movement moving people) revealing its head of darkness?
Keep reading our Lord's words.
Stop condemning.
Forgive.
Give.
Now the last verse is the kicker: "For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."
If I call out someone on their sin, I am providing:
+ Admonishment (correction of sin)
+ An opportunity for Salvation
+ Mercy
+ Charity
+ I am reaching out in the name of our Lord
But what good is it, if I do not mean it, and instead, I'm being mean?
For example to the drunkard "Hey, you're an alcoholic, get yourself straight".
Well, that could be taken in all sorts of directions.
Wouldn't it be better if I said "I noticed you seem to have a drinking problem...what can we do to help you get sober".
Isn't the second more charitable and inviting...because you are offering yourself to be yoked with them, to be involved with them, to take them on and help them with their struggles? Stop judging? No. Never. What they (the worldl) are saying is that they are right (judgement rules), and only God can judge them. But the dark side is changing the version of God. How does this happen? Easy. Everyone believes whatever they want and call it god. The heresy is called moral relativism. And it is a serious watering down of faith and what God Himself has commanded. But that is the worldly mantra and motto, "Stop JUDGING".
Will you judge according to their beliefs...or what the Truth has said?
His name is Jesus. Let's pray:
Lord in Heaven, you know we are in a communication age, where messages are blasted in seconds. Please, help us communicate the truth of Yourself. Help us be the truth of Yourself my Lord. Help us be true. Help us be true love and compassion. Help us be merciful, and still reach out with truth that is Love, for the salvation of all souls. In Your precious name, Lord Jesus, we pray. amen | from your brother in Christ,
Adrian |  click to hear | Random bible verse generator: Psalm 30:2 2 O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
