†Saint Quote
"November 8, 2021
"When we contemplate the sufferings of Jesus He grants us, according to the measure of our faith, the grace to practice the virtues He revealed during those sacred hours."
— St. Angela Merici †Meditation of the Day
"Now, as he was riding one day over the plain of Assisi he met a leper, whose sudden appearance filled him with fear and horror; but forthwith calling to mind the resolution which he had made to follow after perfection, and remembering that if he would be a soldier of Christ he must first overcome himself, he dismounted from his horse and went to meet the leper, that he might embrace him: and when the poor man stretched out his hand to receive an alms, he kissed it and filled it with money. Having again mounted his horse, he looked around him over the wide and open plain, but nowhere could he see the leper; upon which, being filled with wonder and joy, he began devoutly to give thanks to God, purposing within himself to proceed to still greater things than this."
— St. Bonaventure, p. 4
An Excerpt From
The Life of St. Francis
placeholder †Verse of the Day
"And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever possesses the Son has life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life." 1 John 5:11-12 |  click to read more | | Saint of the Day
The Four Crowned Martyrs According to tradition the Four Crowned Martyrs (d. 305 A.D.) were renowned sculptors living in what is today Austria-Hungary. They were commissioned by Roman Emperor Diocletian to make several sculptures; however, when he requested a sculpture of the pagan god Aesculapius for a heathen temple, they refused to carve it. Their refusal exposed them as Christians during Diocletian's fierce persecution against Christianity. The men refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods to save their lives, and were condemned to death by being placed alive in lead caskets and cast into a river. The Four Crowned Martyrs are closely associated with an earlier group of four soldiers, also killed during the persecutions of Diocletian two years before, who died by being beaten to death with leaden clubs after refusing to sacrifice to the god Aesculapius. Because their names were originally unknown, they were called the Four Crowned Martyrs. Their relics were first venerated in the Roman catacombs before a basilica was erected in their honor on Caelian Hill. The two groups of martyrs, both called the Four Crowned Martyrs until their names were afterward discovered, are honored together on November 8th. | Monday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 491
Reading I Wis 1:1-7 Love justice, you who judge the earth; think of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in integrity of heart;
Because he is found by those who test him not, and he manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him.
For perverse counsels separate a man from God, and his power, put to the proof, rebukes the foolhardy;
Because into a soul that plots evil, wisdom enters not, nor dwells she in a body under debt of sin.
For the holy Spirit of discipline flees deceit and withdraws from senseless counsels; and when injustice occurs it is rebuked.
For wisdom is a kindly spirit, yet she acquits not the blasphemer of his guilty lips;
Because God is the witness of his inmost self and the sure observer of his heart and the listener to his tongue.
For the Spirit of the Lord fills the world, is all-embracing, and knows what man says. Responsorial Psalm 139:1b-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-10 R. (24b) Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
O LORD, you have probed me and you know me; you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it.
Behind me and before, you hem me in and rest your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; too lofty for me to attain.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Where can I go from your spirit? From your presence where can I flee?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I sink to the nether world, you are present there.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
If I take the wings of the dawn, if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Even there your hand shall guide me, and your right hand hold me fast.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way. Alleluia Phil 2:15d, 16a R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Shine like lights in the world,
as you hold on to the word of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 17:1-6 Jesus said to his disciples,
"Things that cause sin will inevitably occur,
but woe to the one through whom they occur.
It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck
and he be thrown into the sea
than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.
Be on your guard!
If your brother sins, rebuke him;
and if he repents, forgive him.
And if he wrongs you seven times in one day
and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,'
you should forgive him." And the Apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you would say to this mulberry tree,
'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you." | Daily Meditation: Luke 17:1-6 The Apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." (Luke 17:5)
__
Faith is powerful. That's why Jesus said that even the tiniest seed of faith could uproot a mulberry tree (Luke 17:6). Yet few of us think we have that kind of faith. So today, let's join the apostles in praying for more faith and believe that, even though our faith may be lacking, Jesus will answer our prayer. "Increase my faith, Lord, in the power of your cross to defeat the sinful tendencies in my life. Through your cross and resurrection, you have set me free. Help me to believe that I am truly free and that sin no longer has power over me. "Increase my faith, Lord, in the grace that enables me to forgive those who have hurt or offended me. Only you can soften my hardened heart. "Increase my faith, Lord, in the power of your sacraments. Let me experience your abundant mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. May I always believe that you truly pardon my every sin. Open my eyes to your presence in the Eucharist and to the grace you bestow on me every time I receive your Body and Blood. "Increase my faith, Lord, in the power of the Scriptures to speak to me, to convict me, to guide me, to inspire me. Let me cling to your word each day, knowing that through it, you are speaking words of love and truth to me. "Increase my faith, Lord, in your power to heal. Help me to believe that when I pray for someone, your hand stretches out to restore that person, body and soul. "Increase my faith, Lord, so that I can trust that you care for my every need. Help me to pray persistently, even when I doubt that you are listening. Help my faith to remain strong even when I don't see my prayers being answered in the way I desire. May I always believe that your plan for my life is bigger and better than mine. "Lord, you know that my faith is often weak. But I trust that when I exercise the faith I do have, you will make that small mustard seed inside of me grow, flourish, and glorify you." "Jesus, 'I do believe, help my unbelief'" (Mark 9:24). Wisdom 1:1-7
Psalm 139:1-10 |  Listen to 2cents | From Today's Holy Scripture:
"...seek him in integrity of heart; Because he is found by those who test him not, and he manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him."__ | We pray in Psalms:
"Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it.
Behind me and before, you hem me in and rest your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; too lofty for me to attain." I know that God already knows, but that I may know, I will open my lips, to speak, and to receive the Word of God. Think life in Christ, and Eucharist. | We heard of our Lord:
Number One:
"Things that cause sin will inevitably occur,
but woe to the one through whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck
and he be thrown into the sea
than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin." Sin is out there, but if you are participating in it, watch out! You could be held liable. Like, the person who doesn't vote or go to church and chooses to be neutral in everything, WATCH OUT! This is no place to be, for you say "I don't want to be held liable (for the blood of Jesus)" like Pontious Pilate, but that very action had Him crucified! Lord, turn our faith hot, let us be set ablaze then, no more warm souls, just hot fires of the Holy Spirit! Number Two:
"Be on your guard!
If your brother sins, rebuke him;
and if he repents, forgive him.
And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,' you should forgive him." They say that the holiest person in the world sins 7 times in one day. WHAT!? Then we all need mercy from our Father, and to receive mercy, we must give mercy. And we must turn to say sorry to Our Father, for He TOO will be merciful. We get what we receive and we give what we receive. | Number 3:
"And the Apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you would say to this mulberry tree,
'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you." The apostles must've known something about faith-they needed more, they wanted more. Do you find yourself in that situation?
Do you want your faith to increase too?
And does our Lord just grant them more faith? The Lord replied with the mustard seed. He gives a mustard seed.
And there you go. You want more faith? Do something with the seed. Now the trees can be uprooted easily. Now you can move mountains. Now you can remove the obstacles that you face to a better life with Christ. The world needs faith.
A worker came in today, and was saying "my wife was thinking I missed her birthday, but I told her to go to the store for me....and when she did, she found that I left her a rose in her car, and she was very touched..it is amazing how a small act can go a long way right? The world needs more small gestures...".
It is true. Small acts with great love go a very long way. How much then does it cost to forgive? In reality, it is a small act. Because that is exactly what our Lord was speaking of. Forgiveness. Small seeds. Big Trees.
Every think how small you are in the world? Can you really make a difference? I do.
But you'd be amazed how far your life is touching other future generations. Just like saints. Let's pray:
Lord, My God, My Father,
You love the little ones. You came to earth and held the little ones. And you prayed to the Father that You wanted them where You were...in Heaven. And the Father will not turn down Jesus, for the world has been given to Jesus, the Christ, The King, the Son, the very embodiment of God! And so, My Lord, I pray that you look on us, that we may become little, and loving, and forgiving, and bring each other to Yourself...in Heaven.
In Your Precious name we pray... | from your brother in Christ,
Adrian |  click to hear | Random bible verse generator: Phil 2: 9-11
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
