†Saint Quote
"The fast of Lent has no advantage to us unless it brings about our spiritual renewal. It is necessary while fasting to change our whole life and practice virtue. Turning away from all wickedness means keeping our tongue in check, restraining our anger, avoiding all gossip, lying and swearing. To abstain from these things—herein lies the true value of the fast."
–St. John Chrysostom †Today's Meditation
"Wait a little while, my soul, await the promise of God, and you will have the fullness of all that is good in heaven. If you yearn inordinately for the good things of this life, you will lose those which are heavenly and eternal. Use temporal things properly, but always desire what is eternal. Temporal things can never fully satisfy you, for you were not created to enjoy them alone . . . for your blessedness and happiness lie only in God, who has made all things from nothing."
—Thomas a' Kempis, p. 133-134 An Excerpt From
Imitation of Christ †Daily Verse
"Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, 'Be holy because I [am] holy.'"
–1 Peter 1:13-16 |  click to read more | | Pope Saint Hilary Pope Saint Hilary (5th c.) was Bishop of Rome from 461 to 468. Not much is known of his early life other than that he was from Sardinia. He rose to prominence in the Church when he became archdeacon under Pope St. Leo the Great, working closely with him as a trusted aid. St. Leo sent Hilary as one of the papal legates to the Council of Ephesus in 449. There St. Hilary fought bravely against the monophysite heresy, for which his life was threatened. He was forced into hiding and fled back to Rome for safety. He was so highly esteemed that after Pope Leo's death he was elected to the papacy. As pope, St. Hilary fought for the rights of the papacy in spiritual matters against the Roman Emperor, and increased organization and discipline between the bishops and the Holy See. He also did much work in building, remodeling, and decorating Roman churches and other public places. Pope St. Hilary's feast day is February 28. | Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 347
Reading I 1 Pt 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,
kept in heaven for you
who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith,
to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.
In this you rejoice, although now for a little while
you may have to suffer through various trials,
so that the genuineness of your faith,
more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire,
may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor
at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Although you have not seen him you love him;
even though you do not see him now yet you believe in him,
you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
as you attain the goal of faith, the salvation of your souls. Responsorial Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9 and 10c R. (5) The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD, exquisite in all their delights.
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant.
He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations.
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has sent deliverance to his people; he has ratified his covenant forever; holy and awesome is his name. His praise endures forever.
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia. Alleluia 2 Cor 8:9 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 10:17-27 As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,
knelt down before him, and asked him,
"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother."
He replied and said to him,
"Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
"You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
At that statement, his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
"How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the Kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
"Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God."
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, "Then who can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said,
"For men it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God." | Daily Meditation: Mark 10:17-27 What must I do? (Mark 10:17) Ash Wednesday is only two days away, and many of us are wondering what we "must do" this Lent. Let's use today's Gospel account of the conversation between the rich young man and Jesus to help us answer that question. First, Jesus reminds the man that only God is good (Mark 10:18). Why does he say this? Perhaps he wanted to reassure the man that God is not a taskmaster keeping tallies of all the ways we fail. He is a good God who only wants what is good for us. Second, Jesus tells the man to keep the commandments (Mark 10:19). That's a starting point for us as well. Most of us find at least one or two of the commandments especially difficult to follow. So what "must you do" to make progress in these areas during Lent? Perhaps you will sense Jesus encouraging you to go to Confession more regularly or to spend more time in prayer. Remember, he looks at you just as he looked at the rich man—with love (10:21). Even when you're struggling with sin, Jesus is on your side, interceding for you so that you can become more like him. Third, Jesus invites the man to go one step further: "You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor . . . ; then come, follow me" (Mark 10:21). Ask yourself, "What might I be lacking in my life?" Perhaps empathy for a family member, or patience with your children, or the courage to spread the good news. What Lenten practice would open you up to receiving the grace to follow him more closely? The man in the Gospel "went away sad" because he couldn't let go of his attachments and make an active decision to rely on the goodness of God (Mark 10:22). Don't let that happen to you this Lent! Let Jesus show you how you can grow closer to him these next six weeks. God is good, so you can trust that he will lead you in the way that is best for you. "Jesus, I want to trust and follow wherever you lead me this Lent." 1 Peter 1:3-9
Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9-10 | From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
"Although you have not seen him you love him;
even though you do not see him now yet you believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of faith, the salvation of your souls." Our Lord Himself asked Peter "Do You love Me?".
And Peter would have to answer...with his life.
Lately, a young 15 year old, in years of visions with our Lord, the same thing happened in Rwanda to Segatashya. Our Lord, after being with him for many years, answering all his questions, even about the end of the world, in the last visions asked the boy "do you love me?" and then it was revealed that he would die. And he died with about a million others that were killed in a genocide, a hatred of a particular people.
Should we, be afraid of loving God? To lose our lives? | We pray in Psalms:
"He has given food to those who fear him: he will forever be mindful of his covenant.
He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever." God makes promises that He keeps. We make promises we can't hardly keep. How does God work with a broken person, like myself? There's only one answer: mercy. There is absolutely no way we can repay Him for the extreme damage we cause with even one bad word, one gossip, one failure to lift up a soul, one missed opportunity to pray, and several more missed chances to sacrifice, in fasting, and penance, all acts of faith and love. | Our Lord speaks in the Holy Gospel:
"Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God." He said this because the rich young man had turned away sad when he was told by our Lord to be perfect and "Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." You see, a good Jewish boy for some sect, was said to have been blessed by God if they saw they were rich and had many possessions, kind of like today when you hear new sects proclaiming wealth and health prosperity gospels. This was the infliction our Lord caused on the rich young man. That he turn his blessings into a seemingly curse. But God was asking for his blessings to be blessings for the world, especially to the poor in need all around. How hard it is to let go. We are afraid. We find security in things and even people. Some find security in their weapons. Some find security by hiding in church and not going out to the world. Wolves in hiding. Now, let's go deeper. What are you afraid to let go of? Think of your deepest secrets. Pains. Pleasures. Hatred. Think of what you are so attached to that you feel makes you powerful. When you hold something against another, you are lording it over them as if to hold them down.
What is our Lord asking us for this lent?
He is asking for us for 3 things. Prayer. Fasting. And giving. Once you pray, you will want to go deeper in prayer, and you will fast. Once you stop eating or indulging, you will give your un-eaten food to the poor, or of your very life to those in need. Instead of helping yourself, you will help others...to Heaven, and save souls. | from your brother in Christ,
Adrian |  click to hear | Random bible verse generator: Hebrews 13:3 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
