†Saint Quote
"Quote of the Day
"Know that the greatest service that man can offer to God is to help convert souls."
–St. Rose of Lima †Today's Meditation
"The soul, however, cannot be perfectly purified from these imperfections, any more than from the others, until God shall have led it into the passive purgation of the dark night, of which I shall speak immediately. But it is expedient that the soul, so far as it can, should labor, on its own part, to purify and perfect itself, that it may merit from God to be taken under His divine care, and be healed from those imperfections which of itself it cannot remedy. For, after all the efforts of the soul, it cannot by any exertions of its own actively purify itself so as to be in the slightest degree fit for the divine union of perfection in the love of God, if God Himself does not take it into His own hands and purify it in the fire, dark to the soul."
—St. John of the Cross, p.14 An Excerpt From
Dark Night of the Soul †Daily Verse
"Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father."
–Matthew 10:32-33 |  click to read more | | Pope St. Soter Pope St. Soter (c. 174-175 A.D.) was born in Fondi, Italy. Nothing is known of his early life. He served as the 12th bishop of Rome from c.167 to 175 A.D. He was praised for his fatherly tenderness in comforting, both with words and generous alms, those who suffered for their Catholic faith, especially remote Christian churches living in poverty. He is said to have written an encyclical against Montanism – a heresy which maintained that a Christian who sinned gravely could never be redeemed. Pope St. Soter also declared that marriage was only a valid sacrament when blessed by a priest. The manner of Pope St. Soter's death is uncertain; one tradition holds that he was martyred on April 22, 175 A.D., under the Christian persecution of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. He was buried in Rome on the Appian Way in the catacombs of St. Callixtus. His feast day is April 22nd. | Friday in the Octave of Easter Lectionary: 265
Reading I Acts 4:1-12 After the crippled man had been cured,
while Peter and John were still speaking to the people,
the priests, the captain of the temple guard,
and the Sadducees confronted them,
disturbed that they were teaching the people
and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
They laid hands on Peter and John
and put them in custody until the next day,
since it was already evening.
But many of those who heard the word came to believe
and the number of men grew to about five thousand. On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes
were assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest,
Caiaphas, John, Alexander,
and all who were of the high-priestly class.
They brought them into their presence and questioned them,
"By what power or by what name have you done this?"
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them,
"Leaders of the people and elders:
If we are being examined today
about a good deed done to a cripple,
namely, by what means he was saved,
then all of you and all the people of Israel should know
that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean
whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead;
in his name this man stands before you healed.
He is the stone rejected by you, the builders,
which has become the cornerstone.
There is no salvation through anyone else,
nor is there any other name under heaven
given to the human race by which we are to be saved." Responsorial Psalm 118:1-2 and 4, 22-24, 25-27a R. (22) The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say, "His mercy endures forever."
Let those who fear the LORD say, "His mercy endures forever."
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
O LORD, grant salvation! O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD; we bless you from the house of the LORD. The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia. Alleluia Ps 118:24 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 21:1-14 Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.
He revealed himself in this way.
Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
Zebedee's sons, and two others of his disciples.
Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing."
They said to him, "We also will come with you."
So they went out and got into the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;
but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?"
They answered him, "No."
So he said to them, "Cast the net over the right side of the boat
and you will find something."
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in
because of the number of fish.
So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord."
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,
he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,
and jumped into the sea.
The other disciples came in the boat,
for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,
dragging the net with the fish.
When they climbed out on shore,
they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.
Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you just caught."
So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore
full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.
Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, "Come, have breakfast."
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?"
because they realized it was the Lord.
Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,
and in like manner the fish.
This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples
after being raised from the dead. | Daily Meditation: John 21:1-14 Jesus revealed himself again. (John 21:1) Have you ever noticed that Jesus likes to use mealtimes to reveal himself? In his very first miracle in John's Gospel, he provides wine for a wedding reception (John 2:1-11). He feeds thousands of people with a few loaves and fish (6:1-15). Before his passion and death, he shares the Passover supper with his disciples (13–17). And in today's Gospel, he reveals himself through a miraculous catch of fish and then proceeds to serve breakfast to his disciples. Today, at every Eucharistic feast celebrated throughout the world, Jesus comes to us really and truly, in the form of bread and wine. He comes to us, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, to transform us and fill us with his grace. But Jesus can also use ordinary gatherings to reveal himself and make his presence known. Sometimes it's hard to recognize Jesus, but it's not impossible. For instance, he is there when a young woman gathers at a restaurant with friends to share about her new job. He is there when we pause to give thanks for the food or drink that he has provided. He reveals his love when we take the time to sit down for coffee with a friend. He can even use a weeknight dinner to draw a family closer together. When we are encouraged and refreshed, when we demonstrate his love in our conversations, when we deepen our connection with one another, Jesus is most definitely there, knitting us together. Jesus wants to be present with you at your mealtimes. Try to share a meal with someone this week. If you live alone, you might invite a friend to join you, even if it's just for coffee or dessert. If you have a family, eating together may already be part of your routine, but maybe it's not. Put away your phones, turn off the TV, and sit down together. As you gather, invite the Lord to be with you and to reveal himself. Share some food; talk about your day. And keep an eye out for how Jesus might be working among you. "Lord, as you did with the disciples, reveal yourself to me again." Acts 4:1-12
Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 22-27 | From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
"There is no salvation through anyone else,
nor is there any other name under heaven
given to the human race by which we are to be saved." Why does God says we must love Him above all?
I ask this so we consider who is the only one that can save us from eternal damnation? | We pray in Psalms:
"O LORD, grant salvation! O LORD, grant prosperity! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD; we bless you from the house of the LORD. The LORD is God, and he has given us light." | In today's Gospel we heard:
"Jesus said to them, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?" They answered him, "No." Our Lord is asking us "do you have anything to eat?".
How important is it to eat? It means life or death, right? I mean, we have to have energy to sustain our bodies. But what do we eat?
Our Lord not only asks if they had to eat, He already had a meal prepared for them. Think Heaven. Not only does He provide, but He gives them in abundance, as their boat overflowed with a catch they thought was impossible.
What is impossible in your life? Have you involved God in the situation?
And what of the involvement?
How does God involve Himself with us?
They say He is our Shepherd. Think Jesus.
It is evident in today's Gospel, that He wishes not to leave us alone. He weaned the disciples little by little by appearing every once in a while.
How does He appear to us?
Surely, under the appearance of bread and wine.
Back to the meal. Back to a matter of life and death...of the soul.
Do we need Him to personally serve us?
No. But He does anyway.
I heard in the final blessing today in Mass that we thank God for the blessings, that we may take joy in Him and that He may be our refuge.
Most of the world is in turmoil, but mostly because of a disconnect with Our Father.
I am praying for a re-connect with Our Father.
And so I reach to you, to spread hope! Hope that you will help me, and hope that I can help you! And to pray for all those in need, especially your enemies, souls too, hungry for God. Holy Souls in purgatory, we pray for you too, help us on earth to return to do God's will, serving Him with all our Heart, Mind, and Soul, together as the Body of Christ. | from your brother in Christ,
Adrian |  click to hear | Random bible verse generator: Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart
Proverbs 3:1–2
3 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
