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Wednesday, November 30, 2022

† ".. I Will Make You . . .. "

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mornignofferin

†Saint Quote
"We know certainly that our God calls us to a holy life. We know that he gives us every grace, every abundant grace; and though we are so weak of ourselves, this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty."
–St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

†Today's Meditation
"Our confidence in God must be founded on His infinite goodness and on the merits of the Passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, with this condition on our part: that we should preserve and recognize in ourselves an entire and firm resolution to belong wholly to God, and to abandon ourselves in all things, and without any reserve, to His Providence. Observe that I do not say that we must feel this resolution to belong wholly to God, but only that we must have it and recognize it in ourselves; we must not concern ourselves with what we feel or do not feel, since the greater part of our feelings and satisfactions are only the movements of self-love. Neither must it be supposed that in all this practice of abandonment and indifference, we shall never have desires contrary to the will of God, or that nature will never shrink with repugnance from the dispositions of His good pleasure, for these will often occur. The virtues of abandonment and indifference reside in the higher region of our soul; the lower region, generally speaking, has nothing to do with them. We must remain at peace, and paying no attention whatever to what that lower nature desires, we must embrace the divine will and unite ourselves to it—whatsoever this may entail. There are very few persons who reach this height of perfect self-renunciation; nevertheless, we must all aim at it, each according to his little measure."
—St. Francis de Sales, p. 22-23

An Excerpt From
The Art of Loving God

†Daily Verse
"And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, [Jesus] saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men." And immediately they left their nets and followed him."
–Mark 1:16-18

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St. Andrew

St. Andrew (1st c.) was the first of the twelve Apostles to follow Jesus, after being a disciple of St. John the Baptist, the Precursor of Christ. St. Andrew was a fisherman by trade and the younger brother of St. Peter. Andrew recognized Jesus as the prophesied Messiah and left his fishing trade behind to follow Jesus, convincing his brother Simon Peter to do the same. After Jesus' ascension into heaven, Andrew preached the Gospel throughout the world as commanded by Christ. He ministered and preached in Asia Minor before finally being martyred by crucifixion in the city of Patras in Achaea, Greece. He was tied to an X-shaped cross by request, not deeming himself worthy to die on the same kind of cross as his Savior. Andrew suffered for two days before dying, while continuing to preach Christ from his cross. St. Andrew's feast day is November 30th.

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Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle

Reading I Rom 10:9-18

Brothers and sisters:
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
For one believes with the heart and so is justified,
and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.
The Scripture says,
No one who believes in him will be put to shame.
There is no distinction between Jew and Greek;
the same Lord is Lord of all,
enriching all who call upon him.
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed?
And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone to preach?
And how can people preach unless they are sent?
As it is written,
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!
But not everyone has heeded the good news;
for Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?
Thus faith comes from what is heard,
and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
But I ask, did they not hear?
Certainly they did; for

Their voice has gone forth to all the earth,

and their words to the ends of the world.

Responsorial Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11

R. (10) The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. (John 6:63) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
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.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
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.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
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.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
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.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Alleluia Mt 4:19

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come after me, says the Lord,
and I will make you fishers of men.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 4:18-22

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.


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Daily Meditation: Matthew 4:18-22

At once they left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:20)

What is most striking about today's Gospel is the immediacy with which Simon and Andrew left their nets—along with their livelihood and families—to follow Jesus. On this feast of St. Andrew, we might wonder: Did he and the other disciples go through some internal struggle first? Shouldn't they have at least talked to their families about such a radical decision?

The Scriptures do not rule out that Andrew had deliberated in some way before dropping his nets to follow Jesus that day. He had probably seen Jesus in town before this moment and had heard his preaching. Maybe he was already thinking about joining him.

And yet the simplicity of Andrew's response to Jesus on the shore that day teaches us something beautiful. Andrew saw in the face of Jesus something that made him say, "I want to be wherever you are." Everything else paled in comparison.

Maybe we find this hard to relate to, but that's okay. Because when we are faced with a big decision or we sense God calling us to take an important step, the Lord doesn't mind it if we take our time. In fact, listening to God usually requires time and patience. That's because we may need to seek the help and prayers of fellow believers who have wisdom and experience in discernment.

However, there may also be times, like the one described in this passage, when Jesus makes himself present to us and calls us by name in an especially powerful way. And in those times, we might so desire to be with him that we decide "at once" to follow him, as Andrew did (Matthew 4:20).

Read this Gospel passage again, but this time imagine yourself in Andrew's place. You are hard at work next to Peter, casting your net into the sea. Then you see Jesus walking along the shoreline. He comes to a stop when he reaches you and calls your name. What is he asking you to do today? How will you respond?

"Jesus, thank you for calling me. St. Andrew, pray that I might become a faithful disciple like you."

Romans 10:9-18
Psalm 19:8-11

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From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!"

In every Mass we sing "blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord".

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring THE Good News...of Jesus our Lord.

So...my child, do YOU have beautiful feet? If you are a herald of God's word, you very well could have beautiful feet. Beauty is beyond what we see, it goes much deeper.

psalms

We pray today;
_"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."_
Those who love God's word have beautiful feet. Those who love His commands.

2cents2

In the Gospel today we heard our Master and Teacher:
"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."
At once they left their nets and followed him."

Beauty to many is subjective, but the call from God is not subjective. The call is not to be taken as a mere "invitation" but as a calling. This then becomes...your life.
Too many of us have put on things of God until later in life. As if we would live forever on earth with so many opportunities day by day to turn to Him and do His will. Every day, and every moment is precious in His eyes. Even your hairs on your head are precious, so precious that they are counted.
We can't fathom such great love. But God loves beyond measure.

And so, when Our Father calls, what should our response be? It shouldn't be anything else than what it was to Simon and Andrew; they said nothing but got up and followed immediately, at once.
If you've said one word after the calling, you've said too much.
Follow first, ask questions later.

Remember Heaven's language of love in obedience. This my dear, is true faith, and remember what I have been equating faith with...love. Then this is true love of God.
A child of God is doing His holy will right now. This is you.

........................................
Lord, May I always be attentive to your daily call....
...............................................

adrian

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Deuteronomy 8:17–18

[Deuteronomy 8]

17 Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' 18 You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

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Tuesday, November 29, 2022

† ".. The Eyes That See. .. "

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mornignofferin

†Saint Quote
"Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the most tender of friends with souls who seek to please Him. His goodness knows how to proportion itself to the smallest of His creatures as to the greatest of them. Be not afraid then in your solitary conversations, to tell Him of your miseries, fears, worries, of those who are dear to you, of your projects, and of your hopes. Do so with confidence and with an open heart."
–St. Damien of Molokai

†Today's Meditation
"One of the most awe-inspiring aspects of the mystical body of Christ, the Catholic Church, is the papacy. When I had my radical conversion and fell in love with Jesus, Mary, and the Church, an essential part of my being set free was a deep respect for the awesome gift of the papacy. Knowing that Jesus, our head, has a visible representative on earth who speaks on His behalf so that the members of His body (you and me) can hear the voice of the Shepherd and follow him is extremely liberating…The Church is the pillar and bulwark of the truth! What this means is that we have an official teacher who hands on to us the authentic Christian message; it is the Church. And not just any church, but the Church that Jesus founded and established with a visible representative who has been divinely appointed to speak on Christ's behalf."
—Donald H Calloway, MIC, p. 78-79

An Excerpt From
Under the Mantle

†Daily Verse
"Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"
–John 8:12

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Bl Denis of the Nativity

Blessed Denis of the Nativity (1600-1638) was born as Pierre Berthelotin in France and became a sailor at the age of twelve. He had a successful career as pilot-in-chief and cartographer in service to the Kings of France and Portugal, even being knighted for bravery. He later chose the religious life and became a Carmelite friar, taking the name Dionysius (Denis) of the Nativity. He was sent by his superiors on a diplomatic and missionary mission to the Sultan of Aceh (Sumatra). Once there, all the members of his party were seized at the instigation of the Dutch authorities. They were tortured by their Islamic captors and were told to renounce their Catholic faith and become Muslims. They refused and were martyred. St Denis was martyred last, as he desired, in order to be able to strengthen the others. He was killed by a scimitar blow that split his head in two. His last words were: "Jesus, Mary."

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Tuesday of the First Week of Advent

Reading 1 IS 11:1-10

On that day,
A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
A Spirit of counsel and of strength,
a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,
and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide,
But he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide aright for the land's afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.
Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
The calf and the young lion shall browse together,
with a little child to guide them.
The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,
together their young shall rest;
the lion shall eat hay like the ox.
The baby shall play by the cobra's den,
and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair.
There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,
as water covers the sea.
On that day,
The root of Jesse,
set up as a signal for the nations,
The Gentiles shall seek out,
for his dwelling shall be glorious.

Responsorial Psalm PS 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17

R. (see 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king's son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
He shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, our Lord shall come with power;
he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 10:21-24

Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
"I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows who the Son is except the Father,
and who the Father is except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."
Turning to the disciples in private he said,
"Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
For I say to you,
many prophets and kings desired to see what you see,
but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it."


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Daily Meditation: Isaiah 11:1-10

A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse. (Isaiah 11:1)

The branches of late fall and winter look barren and lifeless, don't they? The "stump of Jesse"—the line of Judah's kings—must have looked just as dead to the people of Isaiah's time. Moral decay and miscarried justice had made the kingdom look like a wasteland, a forest hewn down by an axe (Isaiah 10:34). But God promised that a shoot would sprout from one trunk, a bud would blossom, and life and vitality would reemerge (11:1).

For the people of Jerusalem, that prophecy described an ideal king from the line of Jesse (King David's father), someone who would rule as a king should. The Spirit of the Lord would settle on him, and he would restore the kingdom (Isaiah 11:2). And as they lived in peace, they would manifest God's glory to the nations around them.

It sounded so glorious! But God's plans were even more glorious than what Isaiah and the people who heard him understood. For that prophecy refers not just to a human king but to a heavenly one.

Of course, we have the benefit of two thousand years' hindsight, so we can understand that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy. He is the ultimate descendant of David who is now ascended to his throne in heaven. From that throne, he rules peaceably over all who come to him. He shows, by how he governs us, that he has the wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, and other gifts that Isaiah's prophecy describes (11:2-3).

Even more wonderful, we all have received the same Spirit that rested upon Jesus (John 14:16-17). Remember that as you spend time with the Lord this Advent. Fruitful branches can blossom from what looks like dry ground and bare stumps in your life. The Spirit can give you wisdom and understanding during holiday family gatherings. He can give you strength to bear up under loneliness or other difficulties that arise at this time of year. What might look barren and lifeless in you really does hold life because a shoot has sprouted—Jesus, who is Life himself.

"Jesus, thank you for your life and the gifts of the Spirit that you share with me."

Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Luke 10:21-24

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From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
"The root of Jesse,
set up as a signal for the nations,
The Gentiles shall seek out,
for his dwelling shall be glorious."

There are stories of conversion that we should tune into, even today. They are inspiring, how people find their faith. From all walks of life, they come to find our Lord, and their faith, and their...true happiness. Now. How about you? What is your conversion story? What was it like? And shouldn't it be every single day, that a sinner like me and you, turn from our sins and turn to our Lord? How inspiring can we be? The world needs to see inspiration. We love to hear it. But can it affect you so deeply, that you'd year to Love God more? To the point of giving your very life? Such is the following of Christ, to the Father.

psalms

We pray today;
"May his name be blessed forever; as long as the sun his name shall remain. In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; all the nations shall proclaim his happiness. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever."
Here you come to grow in faith. Take heart. It will happen. What's more, my instincts are telling me that two things are extremely valuable in Heaven...faith and love, and you cannot separate one without the other.

2cents2

In the Gospel today we heard our Master and Teacher:
""I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike. "

The disciples saw people raised from the dead. They saw crippled people get up and walk. They saw feedings of thousands out of nearly nothing. They saw what me and you only wish we could see to grow in faith, to believe more. Yet, they still had a hard time believing....everything. What does this say to you? My friend, it means that your faith is super valuable. For that, our Lord says this:
""Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
For I say to you,
many prophets and kings desired to see what you see,
but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it."

And so, we have a blessing in disguise.

Your faith, my child, is amazing. Don't be fooled by your doubts. Don't be fooled by worldly ideologies. Do not be fooled thinking you have no faith.
If you had no faith, you would not be reading this right now, giving God a chance...this means hope.

Faith is alive. What does this mean? Love is alive. God is love, and therefore, God is alive. And He is active. When I gave God a chance, I realized, all I had to do was to act, to take that step, to essentially...obey!

And this is the language of Heaven...obedience through Love.

A child listens...and believes everything.
Believe what is good. The Truth has been revealed.

........................................
Lord, I do believe. I have faith, a gift given to me at my baptism. What love has been bestowed on me...to live eternally with and in Love!!!
...............................................

adrian

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Random Bible Verse 1
Proverbs 17:22

[Proverbs 17]

22 A joyful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

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