†Saint Quote
"Quote of the Day
"Suffering overwhelms you because you take it like a coward. Meet it bravely, with a Christian spirit: and you will regard it as a treasure."
–St. Josemaria Escriva †Today's Meditation
"Of all the divine attributes, only God's omnipotence is named in the Creed: to confess this power has great bearing on our lives. We believe that his might is universal, for God who created everything also rules everything and can do everything. God's power is loving, for he is our Father, and mysterious, for only faith can discern it when it 'is made perfect in weakness.' The Holy Scriptures repeatedly confess the universal power of God. He is called the 'Mighty One of Jacob,' the 'Lord of hosts,' the 'strong and mighty' one. If God is almighty 'in heaven and on earth,' it is because he made them. Nothing is impossible with God, who disposes his works according to his will. He is the Lord of the universe, whose order he established and which remains wholly subject to him and at his disposal. He is master of history, governing hearts and events in keeping with his will: 'It is always in your power to show great strength, and who can withstand the strength of your arm?'"
—The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 268-269 An Excerpt From
Catechism of the Catholic Church †Daily Verse
"We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves; let each of us please our neighbor for the good, for building up. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The insults of those who insult you fall upon me.""
–Romans 15:1-3 |  click to read more | | St. Elmo St. Elmo (d. 303 AD), also known as St. Erasmus of Formia, was an Italian bishop during the reign of Roman Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. During their brutal persecution against Christians, St. Elmo left his diocese and fled to Mount Lebanon where he lived for seven years. An angel advised him to return to his diocese in order to vanquish his enemies. As he traveled there he was stopped and questioned by Roman soldiers. After declaring himself to be a Christian, he was brought to stand trial before Diocletian himself. St. Elmo confessed his faith in Christ and denounced the emperor for his impiety. For this rebuke he was tortured and thrown into prison, but an angel miraculously freed him so that he could continue on his journey and save many souls along the way. Two more times St. Elmo would endure the cycle of working miracles, baptizing thousands of people, getting arrested and mercilessly tortured, and being miraculously freed before arriving back in his own diocese. During his travels he suffered many horrible tortures at the hands of his enemies, but according to the oldest tradition he died at peace in Formia, though later accounts have him being martyred there by disembowelment. St. Elmo is the patron of mariners and sailors, abdominal pain, intestinal cramps, and women in labor. The electrical discharge on ships at sea, "St. Elmo's Fire," is named for him. His feast day is June 2nd. | Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter Reading I Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 Wishing to determine the truth
about why Paul was being accused by the Jews,
the commander freed him
and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to convene.
Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before them. Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees,
so he called out before the Sanhedrin,
"My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees;
I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead."
When he said this,
a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees,
and the group became divided.
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection
or angels or spirits,
while the Pharisees acknowledge all three.
A great uproar occurred,
and some scribes belonging to the Pharisee party
stood up and sharply argued,
"We find nothing wrong with this man.
Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?"
The dispute was so serious that the commander,
afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them,
ordered his troops to go down and rescue Paul from their midst
and take him into the compound.
* The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage.
* For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem,
* so you must also bear witness in Rome." Responsorial Psalm 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 R. (1) Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you."
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I bless the LORD who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence;
Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia. Alleluia Jn 17:21 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May they all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
that the world may believe that you sent me, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 17:20-26 Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
"I pray not only for these,
but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
so that they may all be one,
as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
that they also may be in us,
that the world may believe that you sent me.
And I have given them the glory you gave me,
so that they may be one, as we are one,
I in them and you in me,
that they may be brought to perfection as one,
that the world may know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me.
I wish that where I am they also may be with me,
that they may see my glory that you gave me,
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you,
but I know you, and they know that you sent me.
I made known to them your name and I will make it known,
that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them." | Daily Meditation: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 Take courage. (Acts 23:11) Can you imagine how dangerous Paul's life must have been? He spent years traveling as a missionary and sacrificed stability and even physical safety to preach the gospel. Everything was uncertain. He didn't know where he would be called next or whether his audience would be receptive or hostile. In today's first reading, Paul is facing more uncertainty. He is under arrest in Jerusalem and is likely wondering what will happen next. Could he have felt some apprehension about his situation? Might he have wondered what the Lord was doing in letting him be arrested? We don't know. But we do know that Jesus came to him, stood by him, and said, "Take courage" (Acts 23:11). In just a few words, Jesus made clear to Paul that God hadn't abandoned him. Paul might not have known the future, but God knew where he was and where he would go—and why. God had a plan for Paul and promised to walk beside him every step of the way. This encounter must have been so reassuring. Paul likely held on to these words when he faced questioning, trial, imprisonment, and eventually martyrdom. Jesus' words can echo to us as well, wherever we are. If you are a young person anxiously contemplating your future, Jesus says, "Take courage, I know where you will be." If you are a parent worried about your child, Jesus says, "Take courage, I am with your child." If your spouse is confronting a difficult health diagnosis, Jesus tells you, "Take courage, I will not abandon you." No matter who you are, Jesus says, "I know the future, and I will be with you." Jesus' words may not diminish the gravity of your situation or change your circumstances, but they do carry grace. This grace gives you strength and the reassurance that God's hand is on your life. It tells you that Someone who loves you with unfathomable love is walking with you through all the uncertainty. Today, let Jesus speak these words to you. Ask him to fill you with grace, to encourage you, and to strengthen and comfort you. Whatever you are facing, whatever uncertainties lie ahead, take courage. Jesus is your strength. He holds your future in his hands. "Jesus, help me to have courage to face the uncertainties ahead." Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11
John 17:20-26 | From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
"The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome." "Take courage" says our Lord. Encouragement for the blood he'd have to share eventually. What does it mean to have courage? It is a calling for faith. Isn't it? "Have faith in Me" says our Lord. | We pray in Psalms:
_"Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence;
Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope." | In today's Gospel we heard our Lord:
"I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one..." God wants us all as one.
This is tough, in a world ruled by a ruler that seeks division.
Can we unite, to pray? As friends? As a family? As the Church which is a huge family? I prayed yesterday, that our Lord accept a few more billion souls into Heaven, for us that are on our way, to please accept our glory, that we too wish to be united with Him forever.
Is this a weird prayer? Because the world tells us that "we don't fit" and "there are too many people in the world". This is a diabolical line that seeks death and division.
God our Father wants us united.
Did you know that the division of death will also be healed? For those who believe. Everyone will gather with our Lord. Crowded together even whether in purgatory, Heaven, or all for the second coming. And yet, we can gather here and now in this anticipation, like the example of Pentecost and the disciples.
Right now, they say that the youth is very separated, very despondent, alone, and social media fuels this phenomenon.
I see certain youth alone in corners with their phones, never looking up, never socializing truly, genuinely. If they give you a glance, it is already too much to connect.
Yet, we need to connect. Souls connect when we gather.
This is how we will heal. Lately, me and my family gather at 3pm and we pray the Unity Prayer. And I will leave you with it so that you too will pray it before Divine Mercy Hour daily: Click here for the prayers The Prayer of Jesus (The Unity Prayer) My adorable Jesus,
May our feet journey together.
May our hands gather in unity.
May our hearts beat in unison.
May our souls be in harmony.
May our thoughts be as one.
May our ears listen to the silence together.
May our glances profoundly penetrate each other.
May our lips pray together to gain mercy from the Eternal Father. Learn more on The Unity Prayer in the Devout Life Teaching 1.03, found here. Jesus said, "Through this prayer, Satan will be blind and souls will not be led into sin. ( p.25 ) The Lord explained, "Satan being blind signifies a worldwide triumph of my Sacred Heart, the freedom of souls and a full opening of the road of salvation." (p. 87) | Your brother in Christ our Lord and Savior, our Love in Heaven,
adrian |  click to hear | Random bible verse generator: Nahum 1:7 7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
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