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Monday, February 28, 2022

† ".His Face Fell .. ."

 
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†Saint Quote
"The fast of Lent has no advantage to us unless it brings about our spiritual renewal. It is necessary while fasting to change our whole life and practice virtue. Turning away from all wickedness means keeping our tongue in check, restraining our anger, avoiding all gossip, lying and swearing. To abstain from these things—herein lies the true value of the fast."
–St. John Chrysostom

†Today's Meditation
"Wait a little while, my soul, await the promise of God, and you will have the fullness of all that is good in heaven. If you yearn inordinately for the good things of this life, you will lose those which are heavenly and eternal. Use temporal things properly, but always desire what is eternal. Temporal things can never fully satisfy you, for you were not created to enjoy them alone . . . for your blessedness and happiness lie only in God, who has made all things from nothing."
—Thomas a' Kempis, p. 133-134

An Excerpt From
Imitation of Christ

†Daily Verse
"Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, 'Be holy because I [am] holy.'"
–1 Peter 1:13-16

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Pope Saint Hilary

Pope Saint Hilary (5th c.) was Bishop of Rome from 461 to 468. Not much is known of his early life other than that he was from Sardinia. He rose to prominence in the Church when he became archdeacon under Pope St. Leo the Great, working closely with him as a trusted aid. St. Leo sent Hilary as one of the papal legates to the Council of Ephesus in 449. There St. Hilary fought bravely against the monophysite heresy, for which his life was threatened. He was forced into hiding and fled back to Rome for safety. He was so highly esteemed that after Pope Leo's death he was elected to the papacy. As pope, St. Hilary fought for the rights of the papacy in spiritual matters against the Roman Emperor, and increased organization and discipline between the bishops and the Holy See. He also did much work in building, remodeling, and decorating Roman churches and other public places. Pope St. Hilary's feast day is February 28.

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Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 347
Reading I

1 Pt 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,
kept in heaven for you
who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith,
to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.
In this you rejoice, although now for a little while
you may have to suffer through various trials,
so that the genuineness of your faith,
more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire,
may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor
at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Although you have not seen him you love him;
even though you do not see him now yet you believe in him,
you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
as you attain the goal of faith, the salvation of your souls.

Responsorial Psalm

111:1-2, 5-6, 9 and 10c

R. (5) The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart

in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,

exquisite in all their delights.
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has given food to those who fear him;

he will forever be mindful of his covenant.
He has made known to his people the power of his works,

giving them the inheritance of the nations.
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has sent deliverance to his people;

he has ratified his covenant forever;

holy and awesome is his name.

His praise endures forever.
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia

2 Cor 8:9

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 10:17-27

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,
knelt down before him, and asked him,
"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother."
He replied and said to him,
"Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
"You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
At that statement, his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
"How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the Kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
"Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God."
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,

"Then who can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said,
"For men it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God."

agosp
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adailycatholic

Daily Meditation: Mark 10:17-27

What must I do? (Mark 10:17)

Ash Wednesday is only two days away, and many of us are wondering what we "must do" this Lent. Let's use today's Gospel account of the conversation between the rich young man and Jesus to help us answer that question.

First, Jesus reminds the man that only God is good (Mark 10:18). Why does he say this? Perhaps he wanted to reassure the man that God is not a taskmaster keeping tallies of all the ways we fail. He is a good God who only wants what is good for us.

Second, Jesus tells the man to keep the commandments (Mark 10:19). That's a starting point for us as well. Most of us find at least one or two of the commandments especially difficult to follow. So what "must you do" to make progress in these areas during Lent? Perhaps you will sense Jesus encouraging you to go to Confession more regularly or to spend more time in prayer. Remember, he looks at you just as he looked at the rich man—with love (10:21). Even when you're struggling with sin, Jesus is on your side, interceding for you so that you can become more like him.

Third, Jesus invites the man to go one step further: "You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor . . . ; then come, follow me" (Mark 10:21). Ask yourself, "What might I be lacking in my life?" Perhaps empathy for a family member, or patience with your children, or the courage to spread the good news. What Lenten practice would open you up to receiving the grace to follow him more closely?

The man in the Gospel "went away sad" because he couldn't let go of his attachments and make an active decision to rely on the goodness of God (Mark 10:22). Don't let that happen to you this Lent! Let Jesus show you how you can grow closer to him these next six weeks. God is good, so you can trust that he will lead you in the way that is best for you.

"Jesus, I want to trust and follow wherever you lead me this Lent."

1 Peter 1:3-9
Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9-10

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From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
"Although you have not seen him you love him;
even though you do not see him now yet you believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of faith, the salvation of your souls."

Our Lord Himself asked Peter "Do You love Me?".
And Peter would have to answer...with his life.

Lately, a young 15 year old, in years of visions with our Lord, the same thing happened in Rwanda to Segatashya. Our Lord, after being with him for many years, answering all his questions, even about the end of the world, in the last visions asked the boy "do you love me?" and then it was revealed that he would die. And he died with about a million others that were killed in a genocide, a hatred of a particular people.

Should we, be afraid of loving God? To lose our lives?

psalms

We pray in Psalms:
"He has given food to those who fear him: he will forever be mindful of his covenant.
He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever."

God makes promises that He keeps. We make promises we can't hardly keep. How does God work with a broken person, like myself? There's only one answer: mercy. There is absolutely no way we can repay Him for the extreme damage we cause with even one bad word, one gossip, one failure to lift up a soul, one missed opportunity to pray, and several more missed chances to sacrifice, in fasting, and penance, all acts of faith and love.

2cents2

Our Lord speaks in the Holy Gospel:
"Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God."

He said this because the rich young man had turned away sad when he was told by our Lord to be perfect and "Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."

You see, a good Jewish boy for some sect, was said to have been blessed by God if they saw they were rich and had many possessions, kind of like today when you hear new sects proclaiming wealth and health prosperity gospels. This was the infliction our Lord caused on the rich young man. That he turn his blessings into a seemingly curse. But God was asking for his blessings to be blessings for the world, especially to the poor in need all around.

How hard it is to let go. We are afraid. We find security in things and even people. Some find security in their weapons. Some find security by hiding in church and not going out to the world. Wolves in hiding. Now, let's go deeper. What are you afraid to let go of? Think of your deepest secrets. Pains. Pleasures. Hatred. Think of what you are so attached to that you feel makes you powerful. When you hold something against another, you are lording it over them as if to hold them down.

What is our Lord asking us for this lent?
He is asking for us for 3 things. Prayer. Fasting. And giving. Once you pray, you will want to go deeper in prayer, and you will fast. Once you stop eating or indulging, you will give your un-eaten food to the poor, or of your very life to those in need. Instead of helping yourself, you will help others...to Heaven, and save souls.

from your brother in Christ,
Adrian

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Hebrews 13:3

3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.

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Friday, February 25, 2022

† ".They Are No Longer .. ."

 
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†Saint Quote
""Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?"
–St. Gerard

†Today's Meditation
"This is the difference between a journey on earth, and that which leads to Heaven. For in the former, not only may we stop without fear of going backward, but rest is necessary that we may sustain our strength to the journey's end; however, in the latter journey which leads to perfection, our growth in strength is proportionate to our advance, inasmuch as the inferior appetites which throw all possible obstacles in our path to Heaven, grow gradually weaker while our good inclinations acquire new strength. Thus as we advance in piety, our early difficulties fade into the background, and a certain delight, with which God sweetens the bitterness of this life, increases in our souls. Going cheerfully on from virtue to virtue, we finally reach the summit of the mountain."
—Dom Lorenzo Scupoli, p. 117-18

An Excerpt From
The Spiritual Combat

†Daily Verse
"Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: "I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness."
–Isaiah 42: 5-7

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St. Walburga

St. Walburga (710-777 A.D.) was born near Devonshire, England, the daughter of St. Richard the Pilgrim (a Saxon king) and the sister of Sts. Willibald and Winebald. When she was eleven her father and brothers went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, while her father placed her in a convent famous for its holiness. She was well educated according to her rank, became a nun, and lived there for twenty-six years. Her uncle, St. Boniface, then brought her to what is now Germany to help him evangelize that country and establish the Church there. In this missionary activity she joined her brothers who were also laboring for the faith in that country, one as an abbot, the other as a bishop. Because of her education she was able to document the travels of her brother in the Holy Land, and for this work she became the first female author of England and Germany. She was known as a miracle worker and healer both in her life and after her death. St. Walburga's relics have the miraculous property of exuding oil to which many cures have been ascribed through the centuries. St. Walburga is the patron saint of sailors, mariners, and farmers, and against hydrophobia, famine, coughs, rabies, plague, and storms. St. Walburga's feast day is February 25th.

Find a Devotional for This Saint

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Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Reading I Jas 5:9-12

Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another,
that you may not be judged.
Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates.
Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters,
the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Indeed we call blessed those who have persevered.
You have heard of the perseverance of Job,
and you have seen the purpose of the Lord,
because the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

But above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear,
either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath,
but let your "Yes" mean "Yes" and your "No" mean "No,"
that you may not incur condemnation.

Responsorial Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8-9, 11-12

R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;

and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He pardons all your iniquities,

he heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,

he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,

slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
He will not always chide,

nor does he keep his wrath forever.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,

so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,

so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

Alleluia See Jn 17:17b, 17a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 10:1-12

Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan.
Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom,
he again taught them.
The Pharisees approached him and asked,
"Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?"
They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?"
They replied,
"Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce
and dismiss her."
But Jesus told them,
"Because of the hardness of your hearts
he wrote you this commandment.
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother

and be joined to his wife,

and the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together,
no human being must separate."
In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.
He said to them,
"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her;
and if she divorces her husband and marries another,
she commits adultery."


agosp
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adyn

Daily Meditation: Mark 10:1-12

Is it lawful? (Mark 10:2)
__
Today's Gospel recounts yet another confrontation between Jesus and some Pharisees who were trying to test him. The religious leaders wanted to make Jesus appear to contradict Moses so they could discredit him. Then, they hoped, the people would reject him. Their position would be secure, and the "pure" Jewish faith would be preserved. But their approach backfired.

Once again, Jesus' outlook exceeds the Pharisees' perspective. By asking what is lawful, they are asking, "How little can I do and still please God?" In response, Jesus uses marriage to illustrate something bigger. He points them toward the beauty of God's intention from the beginning: faithful, sacrificial love, both in marriage and in our relationship with God.

It's easy to fall into a limited mindset and become functional in our relationship with God. We might focus on fulfilling requirements rather than loving God. We might focus on avoiding his punishment rather than loving him and honoring him for all he has done for us. We may not consciously say it, but it's almost like a husband or wife asking, "What's the bare minimum I have to do to stay married?"

If we are asking that question, we've already missed the boat! The question is not "How little can I get away with?" but "How much can I do for my spouse? How can I love him or her, anticipate their needs, and serve them?" This "how much" kind of love reflects the way that God loves us! In contrast, if we are asking how little we need to do, we are missing the purpose of God's commands and his loving intentions toward us.

Every day, God looks at you and asks, "How much can I bless my son or daughter?" He wants to show you that "as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness" (Psalm 103:11). What are your thoughts toward God today? If you catch yourself asking, "How little must I do?" stop and remember how generous he is. Call to mind the many times God has blessed you. Turn to him with words of love. Then ask the Spirit to help you to express your love in action. How much can you do to love God and his people today?

"Jesus, help me to love you with all my heart."

James 5:9-12
Psalm 103:1-4, 8-9, 11-12

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From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
"above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your "Yes" mean "Yes" and your "No" mean "No," that you may not incur condemnation."

I said yes to the Lord...in the Holy Sacrament, including Marriage.

psalms

We pray in Psalms:
"Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. The Lord is kind and merciful"

2cents2

Our Lord speaks in the Holy Gospel:
"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her;
and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

Probably one of the most tragic turns in history was when a king decided to turn against the church...to allow divorce(s).

And this turn was related to another turn against the church with Luther and Calvin. One split causes another split. And now families and churches are split. And now it is difficult to have harmony and unity, to be of one faith and one love. Our Holy Church has always maintained what our Lord said to the Pharisees and to the world, that when a man joins a woman to marry, they become one. How can you break apart one being? It'd be an atrocious thought, and so, when a marriage chooses divorce, the blood bath begins. And so it is when Christ Joins You in Marriage, in a Holy Sacrament. He would never divorce you, for He is faithful. It is us that choose to cheat on Him when we sin, when we choose to do things that are not of His loving will. A Holy Sacrament is designed to be a light unto the world.

From Bishop Barron today:
"Friends, in our Gospel today, Jesus defines the fundamental sacredness of marriage. I'm convinced that the deep sacramental and religious meaning of marriage—even within the Church—has been, in recent years, dramatically compromised. We say that marriage is a vocation, but do we mean it?

We can look at human sexual relationships at a number of different levels. Two people can come together purely for physical pleasure, for economic reasons, or for psychological companionship. And we might witness two people coming together out of authentic love.

But none of these levels is what the Bible means by marriage. When I was doing parish work I would invariably ask young couples, "Why do you want to get married in church?" Most would say something like, "Because we love each other." But I would reply, "Well, that's no reason to get married in church."

They usually looked stunned, but I meant it. You come to church to be married before God and his people when you are convinced that your marriage is not, finally, about you; that it is about God and about serving God's purposes; that it is, as much as the priesthood of a priest, a vocation, a sacred calling."


I told a couple I was teaching on Sacraments as they wanted to marry by the church, "you are showing the world you love God by getting married in the church, you are going to be a light in the darkness". My marriage picture with my wife in front of the altar has us holding hands, and Christ crucified, the crucifix behind the altar, was in between us.

It is a call to sacrifice to the death, til death do us part, a true yes. And then, we are joined to Christ forever...true love, true joy.
I wish the world had more marriages. I wish I could see more light. I wish there was more love of...God. And then their fruit...a creation between God and huMan... souls. Precious souls of God.

from your brother in Christ,
Adrian

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Ephesians 2:8–9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

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