†Quote of the Day
"Holiness consists simply in doing God's will, and being just what God wants us to be."
–St. Therese of Lisieux - The Little Flower †Today's Meditation
"Through the sacraments of Christian initiation, man receives the new life of Christ. Now we carry this life 'in earthen vessels', and it remains 'hidden with Christ in God'. We are still in our 'earthly tent', subject to suffering, illness, and death. This new life as a child of God can be weakened and even lost by sin. The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick."
—The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1420-21 An Excerpt From
Catechism of the Catholic Church †Daily Verse
"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your vindication as the light, and your right as the noonday. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over him who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!"
–Psalm 37:5-7 |  click to read more | | Sts. Cosmas & Damian Sts. Cosmas and Damian (d. 287 A.D.) were twin brothers born in Arabia. They both became skilled physicians who practiced in Asia Minor. They took no money for their medical services, for which they were well-respected. Because of their charity they drew many to the Catholic faith. During the Christian persecution under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, Cosmas and Damian were targeted, arrested, and tortured. After being miraculously preserved from injury throughout their cruel tortures, holding firm in their faith to the end, they were finally killed by beheading. They were martyred together with their three brothers. Their remains were buried in Syria and many miracles were attributed to them. In gratitude for the healing he received through the intercession of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, Roman Emperor Justinian I (6th c.) restored a church dedicated to their honor in Constantinople, which became a place of pilgrimage. Sts. Cosmas and Damian are regarded as the patron saints of physicians, surgeons, and pharmacists. They are mentioned by name in the Roman Canon of the Mass, and share a feast day on September 26th. | Monday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time Reading 1 JB 1:6-22 One day, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the LORD,
Satan also came among them.
And the LORD said to Satan, "Whence do you come?"
Then Satan answered the LORD and said,
"From roaming the earth and patrolling it."
And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job,
and that there is no one on earth like him,
blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil?"
But Satan answered the LORD and said,
"Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?
Have you not surrounded him and his family
and all that he has with your protection?
You have blessed the work of his hands,
and his livestock are spread over the land.
But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has,
and surely he will blaspheme you to your face."
And the LORD said to Satan,
"Behold, all that he has is in your power;
only do not lay a hand upon his person."
So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
And so one day, while his sons and his daughters
were eating and drinking wine
in the house of their eldest brother,
a messenger came to Job and said,
"The oxen were ploughing and the asses grazing beside them,
and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid.
They put the herdsmen to the sword,
and I alone have escaped to tell you."
While he was yet speaking, another came and said,
"Lightning has fallen from heaven
and struck the sheep and their shepherds and consumed them;
and I alone have escaped to tell you."
While he was yet speaking, another messenger came and said,
"The Chaldeans formed three columns,
seized the camels, carried them off,
and put those tending them to the sword,
and I alone have escaped to tell you."
While he was yet speaking, another came and said,
"Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine
in the house of their eldest brother,
when suddenly a great wind came across the desert
and smote the four corners of the house.
It fell upon the young people and they are dead;
and I alone have escaped to tell you."
Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair.
He cast himself prostrate upon the ground, and said,
"Naked I came forth from my mother's womb,
and naked shall I go back again.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD!"
In all this Job did not sin,
nor did he say anything disrespectful of God. Responsorial Psalm PS 17:1BCD, 2-3, 6-7 R. (6) Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
From you let my judgment come;
your eyes behold what is right.
Though you test my heart, searching it in the night,
though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
Show your wondrous mercies,
O savior of those who flee
from their foes to refuge at your right hand.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word. Alleluia MK 10:45 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel LK 9:46-50 An argument arose among the disciples
about which of them was the greatest.
Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child
and placed it by his side and said to them,
"Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
For the one who is least among all of you
is the one who is the greatest."Then John said in reply,
"Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company."
Jesus said to him,
"Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you." | Daily Meditation: Job 1:6-22 My servant Job, . . . blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil. (Job 1:8) We'll be spending the next week reading from the Book of Job. When we are introduced to Job today, God describes him as a beloved servant, "blameless and upright" (Job 1:8). He is devout and prosperous, richly blessed with material wealth and a loving family. Until all of those blessings are taken away. What does Job have to say in the face of this unexpected tragedy? "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!" (Job 1:21). How could Job possibly speak words of surrender and trust after losing everything? Because throughout his life, Job was faithful to the Lord. During times of plenty, he recognized that his blessings came from the Lord. When tragedy struck, it didn't change his outlook all that much. He still believed in God's goodness. He understood that nothing ultimately belonged to him. We know that while Job begins his story well, he eventually loses his footing and his focus on God's goodness. He starts to challenge God and defend his own righteousness in the face of his suffering. But in the midst of his complaints, Job is still supported by the foundation of his lifelong faithfulness to God. And through it all, the Lord never abandons him and eventually restores him. We can all relate to Job's struggle to trust God in times of hardship. Life can be really tough, and our trials can overshadow our vision of God's goodness. Like Job, you may lose your footing. That's why it's so important to lay a good foundation when things are going well and life seems peaceful. Live in a way that is pleasing to God. Remember and treasure the times you have experienced his love and direction in your life. Then when it's hard to understand what's going on or why bad things are happening to good people, the faithfulness you've cultivated can support you. That's what sustained Job as he grappled with his losses. And it can help you face whatever difficulties arise in your life. "Jesus, I believe you are faithful to me. Help me to be faithful to you." Psalm 17:1-3, 6-7
Luke 9:46-50 | From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
"The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD!"
In all this Job did not sin, nor did he say anything disrespectful of God."
Let us notice Job, the Holy Job, and His response, because it was meant to be written forever, a permanent learning lesson for all of us today. In all the calamity, in all the loss, he never disrespected God, nor did he turn to sin.
How many of us, or haven't we seen others disrespect God and turn to sin? I've noticed after the loss of a loved one, some turn away from God, and, perhaps inadvertently turn to sin...never going to Mass again, a very grave sin. And the other disrespectful thing? Cursing God. Yet, it is a fad really for many to use the Lord's name in vain, no love for God. What if everything hinges on that kind of sin...against God...no love, not caring? To disconnect from our vital union with Him. | We pray today;
"From you let my judgment come; your eyes behold what is right. Though you test my heart, searching it in the night, though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me. Incline your ear to me and hear my word" They say in the Holy Scripture that we are like Gold purified with fire. Are you experiencing fire? Tempests? I'm learning that for good or for worse, it is all geared to turn our heads straight, face like flint, to God our Father. In the good and the bad...to bring us to Himself. | In the Gospel today we heard:
""Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."
What an astonishing statement, especially for back then, when children and women weren't counted as equal to men.
So, who would receive a child, to receive Him? What does that mean?
It means everything. It means receive the humble, and listen to the humble, and be like the humble, and to embrace the lowly, and to pay attention to the lowly. In effect...it is to listen to Christ Himself. | "For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest."
I would almost like to start a new order, that would call on all men (and women?) perhaps, to be devoted to the sacredness of the true virtue of humility. We read about humility, we hear about it, but have we seen it lately and in our lifetime in person? I get tired of seeing it from all sides, from clergy, from non believers, and all the range in between...a severe lack of true humility, the kind that is covered with gentleness, and charity, and sacrifice, basically, the very blood of our Lord Jesus.
Who can be the most least? Lord, help us be more like YOU! |  click to hear | Random bible verse generator:
Proverbs 16:7 [Proverbs 16] 7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
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