†Saint Quote
Quote of the Day
"It is suffering, more than anything else, which clears the way for the grace which transforms human souls. Suffering, more than anything else makes present in the history of humanity the powers of the Redemption."
–Pope St. John Paul II †Today's Meditation
"The divine activity permeates the whole universe, it pervades every creature; wherever they are it is there; it goes before them, with them, and it follows them; all they have to do is to let the waves bear them on. Would to God that … all men could know how very easy it would be for them to arrive at a high degree of sanctity. They would only have to fulfill the simple duties of Christianity and of their state in life; to embrace with submission the crosses belonging to that state, and to submit with faith and love to the designs of Providence in all those things that have to be done or suffered without going out of their way to seek occasions for themselves. … This is the spirituality of all ages and of every state. No state of life can, assuredly, be sanctified in a more exalted manner, nor in a more wonderful and easy way than by the simple use of the means that God, the sovereign director of souls, gives them to do or to suffer at each moment."
—Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade, p. 8 An Excerpt From
Abandonment to Divine Providence †Daily Verse
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few."
–Matthew 7:13-14 |  click to read more | | St. Germaine Cousin St. Germaine Cousin (1579–1601) was born in a remote French village to a peasant farmer. She was born with a deformed right arm and a disease that causes abscesses in her neck. Her mother died when she was an infant, and her father remarried. Due to Germaine's deformities, her stepmother was thoroughly disgusted with her. She severely neglected and physically abused the child, and taught others to do the same. Starving, sick, and dressed in rags with no shoes, Germaine was forced to sleep in the barn. Her stepmother once attempted to kill her off by sending her to tend sheep near a wolf-infested forest. St. Germaine was a simple and pious child, and through her extreme hardships she developed a deep interior life. She prayed the rosary and went to Mass daily, leaving her sheep to the care of her guardian angel. Even though she was emaciated, she shared the little food she had with beggars. Her piety was admired by the village children, and adults gradually became aware of her holiness, especially when news of her miracles began to circulate. St. Germaine died at the age of twenty-two, succumbing to her poor living conditions. Many years later her body was found incorrupt. Villagers began praying for her intercession and receiving miraculous cures, resulting in her canonization in 1867. St. Germaine is the patron saint of unattractive people, peasant girls, abuse victims, handicapped people, and abandoned people. Her feast day is June 15th. –Revelation 7:9-10 | Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 367
Reading I 2 Kgs 2:1, 6-14 When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind,
he and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.
Elijah said to Elisha, "Please stay here;
the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan."
"As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live,
I will not leave you," Elisha replied.
And so the two went on together.
Fifty of the guild prophets followed and
when the two stopped at the Jordan,
they stood facing them at a distance.
Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up
and struck the water, which divided,
and both crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha,
"Ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you."
Elisha answered, "May I receive a double portion of your spirit."
"You have asked something that is not easy," Elijah replied.
"Still, if you see me taken up from you,
your wish will be granted; otherwise not."
As they walked on conversing,
a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them,
and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
When Elisha saw it happen he cried out,
"My father! my father! Israel's chariots and drivers!"
But when he could no longer see him,
Elisha gripped his own garment and tore it in two. Then he picked up Elijah's mantle that had fallen from him,
and went back and stood at the bank of the Jordan.
Wielding the mantle that had fallen from Elijah,
Elisha struck the water in his turn and said,
"Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?"
When Elisha struck the water it divided and he crossed over. Responsorial Psalm 31:20, 21, 24 R. (25) Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
How great is the goodness, O LORD,
which you have in store for those who fear you,
And which, toward those who take refuge in you,
you show in the sight of the children of men.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence
from the plottings of men;
You screen them within your abode
from the strife of tongues.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones!
The LORD keeps those who are constant,
but more than requites those who act proudly.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord. Alleluia Jn 14:23 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Jesus said to his disciples:
"Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. "When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you." | Daily Meditation: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Your Father who sees in secret will repay you. (Matthew 6:4) Parents know what it's like to sacrifice in secret. It may start when a pregnant woman avoids certain foods or drinks that may hurt her unborn baby. Then there are the thousands of hours of cooking, cleaning, and caring that are all part of the job of parenting. But beyond parenting, there are also many little sacrifices that we make—like letting somebody cut in front of us in line, patiently listening when someone is telling a long story, or offering a prayer when we hear bad news on the radio. In today's Gospel reading, Jesus tells us that our heavenly Father sees all of these "secret" sacrifices. And he doesn't just see them; he tells us he will "repay" us. What an encouraging promise—especially during those times when we wonder if we're making any difference at all! God sees every sacrifice we make. He knows how hard it can be at times. And he assures us that no single sacrifice is ever wasted. Even if the one we are helping out never recognizes what we have done, God recognizes it, and he rewards it. So how does God reward you? Usually not with money or public praise, but with something far more valuable: the joy of knowing that you are becoming more like his Son. He softens your heart a little more each time you give so that you become a little more generous the next time and the time after that. He repays you by allowing the witness of your love to soften the hearts of the people around you—even if your acts of sacrifice remain hidden. Sometimes these rewards seem as hidden as the sacrifices that prompted them. Sometimes they even seem delayed or deferred altogether. But that's okay. It's enough just to know that your heavenly Father sees what no one else sees and rejoices in it. It's enough to know that one day you will see him face-to-face, and that on that day, you will be rewarded far more than you can imagine here and now. Until that day comes, take comfort in knowing that you have the great privilege of loving as he loves. "Father, thank you for calling me to serve just as you served! Help me to find joy in giving without counting the cost." 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14
Psalm 31:20, 21, 24 | From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
""As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live,
I will not leave you," Elisha replied.
And so the two went on together." What is faithfulness? It is being together til the end...and if possible, even more...right? Such was the story of Elijah...and the one that would take his chair.
And such is the fidelity of the chair of St. Peter with our Lord having left him in charge. And we are called to the same yoke. To be bound with our Lord forever...til there's more. | We pray in Psalms:
_"Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones!
The LORD keeps those who are constant,
but more than requites those who act proudly. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord."_ And so, the thought hits...now that my dad passed...has my love for him passed? Has my love changed? If I miss him...God knows...and it must be because we are still connected. And so I pray fervently for him...and I unite myself even more to the God who has power over all worlds...seen and unseen. Known and unknown. I have faith and our faith needs to show. | In today's Gospel we heard our Lord:
"Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;" We shall do good deeds so God sees...we love Thee.
He knows why you do what you do...and if it is for the love of God....even in neighbor.
And what of the neighbor in need of forgiveness...or fraternal correction...helping them...to Heaven? | "When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you". Who blows a trumpet nowadays before giving?
I'm a singer. I'm a human. I know how we use wind to blow and make sounds. We merely tout what we've done and the trumpet blows. It gets on my nerves to hear people tout what they've done for the Lord....when nobody asked. I've heard people count exactly how many retreats they've helped at. Years later, they no longer serve. Where is the fidelity there? Where is the faithfulness then? Just give without counting the cost. Just give without a mention. To give is to give and forget, like a parent that does not count a thing they've done to raise a child with love. "But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret." Don't we all pray in secret? Who preaches on street corners any more anyway? Where are they? Who has silenced them? Nobody can silence the truth...but you. Prayers are our communion and breath of spiritual life with God. Think of this next time it's hard to breathe...to pray...in the most difficult or dark and tempting times. So you been almsgiving...in secret...praying in secret..and now we hear; "When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting." Fasting. Who does this anymore? It is the lost art of martial arts of the greatest of spiritual warriors.
He who fasts has unlocked a great connection to God. And there is a proper way to fast...and it hinges on the whole of today's Gospel...the message of humble sincerity in giving and faith.
For to give is an act of faith.
Can you then...give to God?
Time...praying.
Treasure giving to church and poor.
Talent...fasting, using what you got for God? All this is to show God the one who died for us...love.
That seals our love for an eternity. Lord help us love Thee more and more | Your brother in Christ our Lord and Savior, our Love in Heaven,
adrian |  click to hear | Random bible verse generator: Luke 12:29–31 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his1 kingdom, and these things will be added to you. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
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