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Thursday, June 30, 2022

† "..They Were Struck With . . . ."

 
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†Saint Quote
"Let the Word of God come; let it enter the church; let it become a consuming fire, that it may burn the hay and stubble, and consume whatever is worldly; there is heavy lead of iniquity in many; let it be molten by divine fire; let the gold and silver vessels be made better, in order that understanding and speech, refined by the heat of suffering, may begin to be more precious."
–St. Ambrose

†Today's Meditation
"Joseph's virtue was sublime and exceptional; therefore it was subjected to a great and singular trial. But, as he heroically surmounted this trial, so God was pleased, not only to console him, but to exalt him to a dignity of extraordinary glory. … Jesus, the Son of God … willed to recognize this virgin spouse as His father in affection, adoption, government, and education, and to be constantly obedient and subject to him. The Holy Ghost, who had operated the incarnation of the Son of God in the womb of Mary, willed that to Joseph this His spouse should be entirely confided. He was to be the zealous guardian of her virginity, her guide, her aid, her support, and her inseparable companion through all the vicissitudes of life. And where, apart from the Divine Maternity, can so great a dignity be found upon earth as that which was conferred on Joseph by the Three Divine Persons of the Most Holy Trinity?"
—Edward Healy Thompson, p. 197

An Excerpt From
The Life & Glories of St. Joseph

†Daily Verse
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven."
–Matthew 7:21

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Blessed Gennaro Sarnelli

Bl. Gennaro Sarnelli (1702 – 1744) was born to a noble family in Naples, Italy. He was very well educated, and completed his doctorate in civil and canon law at the age of 20. He gave much of his time to caring for the incurably sick, through which he discerned a call to the priesthood. He was ordained in 1732. He became good friends with St. Alphonsus Liguori, founder of the Redemptorists. Shortly afterward, Blessed Gennaro became a Redemptorist priest. Gennaro's special work was preaching to those who were the most spiritually deprived, while also caring for the temporal needs of impoverished children. He was a great defender of the dignity of women, and worked intensely to free women and girls from forced prostitution. Blessed Gennaro was also a talented writer, penning over 30 books ranging in subjects such as theology, law, prayer, spiritual direction, and contemporary moral issues. He worked so hard that his health suffered, and he died when he was only 42 years old. He was beatified by Pope St. John Paul II in 1996. His feast day is June 30.

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Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

• Readings for the Optional Memorial of the First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church

Reading I Am 7:10-17

Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent word to Jeroboam,
king of Israel:
"Amos has conspired against you here within Israel;
the country cannot endure all his words.
For this is what Amos says:
Jeroboam shall die by the sword,
and Israel shall surely be exiled from its land."

To Amos, Amaziah said:
"Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah!
There earn your bread by prophesying,
but never again prophesy in Bethel;
for it is the king's sanctuary and a royal temple."
Amos answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet,
nor have I belonged to a company of prophets;
I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores.
The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me,
'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'
Now hear the word of the LORD!"

You say: prophesy not against Israel,
preach not against the house of Isaac.
Now thus says the LORD:
Your wife shall be made a harlot in the city,
and your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword;
Your land shall be divided by measuring line,
and you yourself shall die in an unclean land;
Israel shall be exiled far from its land.

Responsorial Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11

R. (10cd) The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.

Alleluia 2 Cor 5:19

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 9:1-8

After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town.
And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
"Courage, child, your sins are forgiven."
At that, some of the scribes said to themselves,
"This man is blaspheming."
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,
"Why do you harbor evil thoughts?
Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Rise and walk'?
But that you may know that the Son of Man
has authority on earth to forgive sins"–
he then said to the paralytic,
"Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home."
He rose and went home.
When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe
and glorified God who had given such authority to men.


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Daily Meditation: Matthew 9:1-8

Which is easier? (Matthew 9:5)

How would you answer that question? Is it easier to say "Your sins are forgiven" or to say "Rise and walk" (Matthew 9:5)? At first you might think that healing someone who is paralyzed is far more difficult—and far more important. Let's face it, we hear the words "I absolve you from your sins" in the Prayer of Absolution every time we go to Confession. And we routinely ask for and give forgiveness in our personal relationships. So hearing words of forgiveness might seem more commonplace or "easy."

But nothing could be further from the truth. And the key comes—again—from the Prayer of Absolution. How have our sins been forgiven? How has God reconciled the world to himself? "Through the death and resurrection of his Son." Jesus knew that the Father had given him the authority to forgive sins. But he also knew that forgiveness would cost him his life. Forgiveness was, in fact, the more difficult healing for Jesus to offer the man who was paralyzed!

As much as we might be amazed at the idea of bones and muscles and ligaments being knitted together to bring healing to a paralyzed man—and it is amazing!—we are offered a more hard-won healing in the forgiveness of our sins. It's available to us every time we come to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. When Jesus forgave the man in today's Gospel, he brought him to life spiritually. Jesus was freeing him from sin. He was removing the rejection and fear that came from the way other people had treated him.

Jesus offers us the same forgiveness, freedom, and healing. It might not be as outwardly visible as a physical healing. But it changes us deeply. It changes how we walk in this world, our decisions and actions. It lifts us up and brings us joy.

It is halfway through the year. How long has it been since you've gone to Confession? Your parish probably has times for Confession scheduled this weekend. Come to Jesus in the sacrament and receive the forgiveness and healing that he suffered so greatly to win for you.

"Jesus, thank you for the surpassing value of the healing and mercy that I can receive in the Sacrament of Reconciliation!"

Amos 7:10-17
Psalm 19:8-11

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From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
"'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'"

Who is Israel? It is God's people. Who needs to prophesy? We are all baptized as priest, prophet, and king. We are one in His body. None escapes this calling. Prophesy to the Body of Christ. And baptize the world into His body. It's not the job solely for a priest, but for us all to bring fruit to God, the fruit of love and salvation. Watch out for the leaven of the world, for their aim is not about salvation but destruction. They preach hate and accuse the innocent of hate. For speaking the Truth, I am considered a hater, because they have their own version of truth, false concepts and ideals that seek destruction of the other. Only one has stood the test of time. The truth of God reveals all. It is like the light, the more intense it gets, the more you can see in the dark. We need more of Him. And now.

psalms

We pray in Psalms:
"The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever; The ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just. They are more precious than gold"

Those that love God's law on on the right path to salvation, and the Jews knew it and thought it was all about the law. Until the law hit them direct...to the heart. More on that.

2cents2

In today's Gospel we heard our Lord:
"When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
"Courage, child, your sins are forgiven."
At that, some of the scribes said to themselves,
"This man is blaspheming."
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,
"Why do you harbor evil thoughts?"

Evil thoughts? Scribes knew well the laws, and the very laws twisted their minds into evil thoughts. It is the same today, where we have many in the church who know the laws and live for the laws but the laws fail the fundamental law of God's love. And I am not speaking about worldly laws of governments which always fail by allowing immoral practices. I am speaking about much more, like purity and light.

"...he then said to the paralytic, "Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home." He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men."_
The paralytic rose and went home.

What does Scripture want us to learn here? What is our Lord speaking to our hearts right now? 3 big words to go from are:

1.) Paralytic: So let us ponder who are the paralyzed souls in the world. Believe it or not, sometimes I feel incapable of walking, that is, the walk of God, I feel I am stuck in faith, not going or growing at times. But let us consider where the paralyzed man was found; in Jesus' hometown, and people brought him to Jesus. Remember your call to bring people to our Lord. Is it hard? Well, it ain't easy. Therefore, few take the less traveled road...to Christ.

2.) Rose: The paralytic did something He'd never done before...He rose. He rose from the dead, spiritually. For everyone believed he was cursed, anyone who was sick had some type of curse they believed. We know this is not always the case, but more often than we care to admit...it is true. That is why we are asked to see a priest before a doctor, unless in case of emergencies for treatment, right? But he rose and where was he directed?

3:) Home: In the case of the sick, in hospitals, asylums, nursing homes, even prisons, you are away from home. And one develops a longing for home like never before. But in the case of the Gospel today, it goes much deeper than physical experiences and feelings. We dive into a spiritual longing...to belong. Home is where the heart is, so where is your heart? Truly, we are not home until we are in God's Heaven that is not in this world. Sadly, atheists, and many other religions believe this is it, and this is why they preach YOLO, that you only live once, much in line with the communist views that aim to eradicate any notion of forever, that is....eternity with God.

And so the paralytic was healed, to rise, and to go be one with God, he was healed in every sense of the word.
Can we see this kind of spectacular healing today? It is possible. Have you ever? I've never witnessed a blind person to see again, but I know a couple that can see God's will. I've never heard of a deaf person being able to hear again through a miracle, but I know of many that can understand more clearly God's will. I've never witnessed a paralyzed person get up from their bed and start walking. But I know one that has been paralyzed and has lost everything in his life, even his wife divorced him and kids left him....yet, he never blames God, but acknowledges how much of a sinner he is. And my heart pours out for him. Even this Sunday he was texting me for prayers as I was about to start singing in Mass.

And believe me, years ago, he was much more paralyzed, and 3 or 4 of us men went to see him and we prayed and then tried to pick him up to get him to try to walk, and we failed. And today, 2 of those men are now deacons, one tried but wasn't called, and you got me still on hold for that call to more. Did we fail in faith? How did our faith still go on?
The synopsis:
A hunger is developed in faith. In a true faith, we fall more and more into hunger for God. The ones who have died and are suffering purgatory are often referred to as "Hungry Souls" which is another book I've read. And in the book "Get Us Out Of Here" the souls are called "pour souls". They are actually in a better place, more hungry than ever possible on earth. More poor than ever thought possible too.

And blessed are the hungry and the poor....for GOD our FATHER!

Come now, to receive more of Him. Perhaps one day someone we take to God will rise and go home....

Lord, I want to rise. Deliver me from the weight of my own sins. Take my hand in Yours. For Yours I wish to be.

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Random bible verse generator:

James 1:22–25
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

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Wednesday, June 29, 2022

† "..You Are The. . ."

 
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†Saint Quote

Quote of the Day
"Whatever you do, think not of yourself, but of God."
–St. Vincent Ferrer

†Today's Meditation
"People often think of Christian morality as a kind of bargain in which God says, 'If you keep a lot of rules I'll reward you, and if you don't I'll do the other thing.' I do not think that is the best way of looking at it. I would much rather say that every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, all your life long you are slowly turning this central thing either into a heavenly creature or into a hellish creature: either into a creature that is in harmony with God, and with other creatures, and with itself, or else into one that is in a state of war and hatred with God, and with its fellow-creatures, and with itself. To be the one kind of creature is heaven: that is, it is joy and peace and knowledge and power. To be the other means madness, horror, idiocy, rage, impotence, and eternal loneliness. Each of us at this moment is progressing to the one state or the other."
—C. S. Lewis, p. 92

An Excerpt From
Mere Christianity

†Daily Verse
"In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
–Hebrews 1:1-3

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Sts. Peter and Paul

St. Peter and St. Paul (1st c.) were the foremost Apostles of Jesus Christ; St. Peter was the leader of the Twelve, while St. Paul followed Christ after His ascension into heaven. Together the two saints are the founders of the Church in Rome through their apostolic preaching, ministry, and martyrdom in that city. They are the solid rock on which the foundation of the Catholic Church is built, and they will forever remain her protectors and guides. To them Rome owes her true greatness, for it was under God's providential guidance that they transformed the capital of the Roman Empire into the heart of the Church, with the mission to radiate the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world. Both saints were martyred in close proximity to one another; Peter first, then Paul, though some traditions claim they were killed on the same day. St. Peter was crucified upside down and buried on the hill of the Vatican where St. Peter's Basilica now stands. St. Paul was beheaded on the via Ostia and buried where the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls now stands. St. Peter and St. Paul are the patron saints of Rome and they share a feast day on June 29, a tradition going back to the earliest centuries of the Church. See more about St. Peter. See more about St. Paul.

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Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Mass during the Day

Lectionary: 591
Reading I

Acts 12:1-11

In those days, King Herod laid hands upon some members of the Church to harm them.
He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword,
and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews
he proceeded to arrest Peter also.
–It was the feast of Unleavened Bread.–
He had him taken into custody and put in prison
under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each.
He intended to bring him before the people after Passover.
Peter thus was being kept in prison,
but prayer by the Church was fervently being made
to God on his behalf.

On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial,
Peter, secured by double chains,
was sleeping between two soldiers,
while outside the door guards kept watch on the prison.
Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him
and a light shone in the cell.
He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying,
"Get up quickly."
The chains fell from his wrists.
The angel said to him, "Put on your belt and your sandals."
He did so.
Then he said to him, "Put on your cloak and follow me."
So he followed him out,
not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real;
he thought he was seeing a vision.
They passed the first guard, then the second,
and came to the iron gate leading out to the city,
which opened for them by itself.
They emerged and made their way down an alley,
and suddenly the angel left him.
Then Peter recovered his senses and said,

"Now I know for certain

that the Lord sent his angel

and rescued me from the hand of Herod

and from all that the Jewish people had been expecting."

Responsorial Psalm

34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (5) The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
I will bless the LORD at all times;

his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;

the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
Glorify the LORD with me,

let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me

and delivered me from all my fears.
R. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,

and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,

and from all his distress he saved him.
R. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
The angel of the LORD encamps

around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;

blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

Reading II

2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18

I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well; I have finished the race;
I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance.

The Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.
And I was rescued from the lion's mouth.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat
and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom.
To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia

Mt 16:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mt 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter said in reply,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

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Daily Meditation: Acts 12:1-11

Follow me. (Acts 12:8)

Today we celebrate Sts. Peter and Paul, two pillars of the Church with starkly different personalities. Simon, the fisherman, left his nets to follow Jesus (Matthew 4:19). Renamed Peter, he became the leader of the Church (16:18). In contrast, Saul was a well-educated Pharisee who persecuted the Church until Jesus revealed himself to him (Acts 9). From that point on, he became the apostle to the Gentiles, using the Roman name Paul (Romans 11:13).

Peter and Paul built up the Church in very different ways, but despite their differences, both men chose to obey Jesus' call to "Follow me" (Acts 12:8). They didn't become like each other or lose their personalities. Instead, through the Spirit, they became more like Jesus. Today, we honor them together because in the end, they followed Jesus unto death, both dying as martyrs in Rome.

Both Peter and Paul followed Jesus by following the Holy Spirit. Peter boldly proclaimed the gospel after he was filled with the Spirit at Pentecost. His preaching cut people to the heart and led thousands to faith in Jesus (Acts 2). Freed from guilt over having denied the Lord, Peter spent the rest of his life leading the Church, first in Jerusalem, then in Antioch, and then in Rome.

Paul also yielded to the Spirit. After he was baptized by Ananias, he immediately began to proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 9:19-20). And he never stopped. Traveling all around the Mediterranean, he proclaimed the gospel and established churches far and wide before ending up in Rome, where he worked side by side with Peter until the end.

Each of us is unique, but whatever our personalities, this one truth is the same: the same Spirit that empowered Peter and Paul lives in us. Do you feel unqualified to serve the Lord? Are you burdened by your past? Look to these two heroes of the faith. Their lives were changed by the power of the Spirit, just as yours can. Today, ask them to pray for you as you seek to yield to the Spirit and follow Jesus wherever he leads you.

"Holy Spirit, help me to follow Jesus today."

Psalm 34:2-9
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
Matthew 16:13-19

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From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
"Then he said to him, "Put on your cloak and follow me."
So he followed him out"

Am I dreaming? St. Paul must've thought the whole time he was following an angel out of jail. But, whatever the case was, we know St. Paul followed God, wherever he was leading. Follow the lead.

psalms

We pray in Psalms:
"The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Taste and see how good the LORD is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him"

They say that our guardian angels turn away from us when we are sinning. What does this mean? It means much more than we care. Our Lord says that the face of our angel is always facing Him...Mt 18: "10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." We are then connected to God in a special way, with angels. We are honored and guarded. Our angels must ascend as they descend upon the Father. Let our prayers then...be heard.

2cents2

In today's Gospel we heard our Lord:
"And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it."

Our Lord then built a church. Nowadays, protestants deny that Jesus actually built a church, a religion so to speak. And what is religion? It is a set of beliefs. And our Lord is the Messiah of the Israelite people, descendants of Abraham. We are a Christ people, Messianic People, Savior people. We are called to be saviors of the world with the One Savior that has joined us body and soul from the cross and into our hearts forever. Let us not forget what we are.
We are called to be one in Him, both now and forever.

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Matthew 5:23–24
23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

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