†Saint Quote
Quote of the Day
"It is in the company of Jesus that you work for the glory of God."
–St. John Baptist de la Salle †Today's Meditation
"Do not suppose that after advancing the soul to such a state God abandons it so easily that it is light work for the devil to regain it. When His Majesty sees it leaving Him, He feels the loss so keenly that He gives it in many a way a thousand secret warnings which reveal to it the hidden danger. In conclusion, let us strive to make constant progress: we ought to feel great alarm if we do not find ourselves advancing, for without doubt the evil one must be planning to injure us in some way; it is impossible for a soul that has come to this state not to go still farther, for love is never idle. Therefore it is a very bad sign when one comes to a standstill in virtue."
—St. Teresa of Avila, p.99 An Excerpt From
Interior Castle †Daily Verse
"In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ [Jesus] have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. Let us not be conceited, provoking one another, envious of one another."
–Galatians 5:22-26 |  click to read more | | †St. Philip Neri St. Philip Neri (1515–1595) was born in Florence, Italy, to the noble class. He was a dutiful child with a cheerful disposition, making him popular with all who knew him. At the age of 18 he was to begin an apprenticeship for a career in business. However, after having a mystical experience, his life was radically changed. He traveled to Rome and entrusted himself completely to God's providence. He found living accommodations with a fellow Florentine in exchange for tutoring his sons, which Philip did with great skill. He then enrolled in philosophy and theology classes at a local monastery in order to become a priest. Although he excelled in his studies, he suddenly quit in order to spiritually serve the people of Rome. At that time, indifference, luxury, and corruption were widespread characteristics of the Roman clergy. Churches were neglected, flocks were abandoned, and the loss of faith was widespread. St. Philip Neri, with his commitment to a life of asceticism, was a contradiction to all of this malaise. With his characteristic good-naturedness, he lead many to a life of virtue and love for God as he traveled through the streets of Rome. He began an oratory for laymen to gather together and practice greater spiritual discipline, which grew and became famous. In obedience to his spiritual director he finally became a priest at the age of 34. He also started a religious order known simply as "The Oratory." St. Philip Neri is known as the "Apostle of Rome." He is the patron of Rome and the U.S. Army Special Forces. His feast day is May 26. | Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, Priest Lectionary: 294
Reading I Acts 18:1-8 Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus,
who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla
because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome.
He went to visit them and, because he practiced the same trade,
stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
Every sabbath, he entered into discussions in the synagogue,
attempting to convince both Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia,
Paul began to occupy himself totally with preaching the word,
testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.
When they opposed him and reviled him,
he shook out his garments and said to them,
"Your blood be on your heads!
I am clear of responsibility.
From now on I will go to the Gentiles."
So he left there and went to a house
belonging to a man named Titus Justus, a worshiper of God;
his house was next to a synagogue.
Crispus, the synagogue official, came to believe in the Lord
along with his entire household, and many of the Corinthians
who heard believed and were baptized. Responsorial Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 R. (see 2b) The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
or:
R. Alleluia. Alleluia See Jn 14:18 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord;
I will come back to you, and your hearts will rejoice.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 16:16-20 Jesus said to his disciples:
"A little while and you will no longer see me,
and again a little while later and you will see me."
So some of his disciples said to one another,
"What does this mean that he is saying to us,
'A little while and you will not see me,
and again a little while and you will see me,'
and 'Because I am going to the Father'?"
So they said, "What is this 'little while' of which he speaks?
We do not know what he means."
Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them,
"Are you discussing with one another what I said,
'A little while and you will not see me,
and again a little while and you will see me'?
Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices;
you will grieve, but your grief will become joy." | Daily Meditation: Acts 18:1-8 They were tentmakers by trade. (Acts 18:3) After his conversion, Paul's way of life changed dramatically. He traveled all over the known world preaching the good news. Yet God didn't throw away the experiences that made Paul who he was. Far from it! God helped Paul use his prior skills to serve his new apostolic mission. For example, the tentmaking trade he had learned often supported his missionary journeys. His prior study of the Hebrew Scriptures helped him piece together how Christ's death and resurrection fulfilled God's promises. God didn't let any of Paul's past experiences and skills go to waste! We might look at our spiritual lives as being quite separate from our skills or hobbies or our occupation. But just as Paul's tentmaking skills supported his ministry, we never know how something we don't necessarily consider "spiritual" might be used by the Lord. For example, at some point, he might use your experience in the kitchen or your knack for accounting to help launch a new ministry. A hobby like drawing or writing might give you the opportunity to share your faith with more people. Or perhaps your profession provides the means to generously support God's work. God can use everything we offer him. So don't discount what you do or enjoy, even if it isn't obvious to you how it's contributing to the building of God's kingdom. Just invite the Lord into your daily activities, and be open to how he might call you to use those skills to make him more present in the world. It really does make a difference to the Lord when we consciously dedicate our hobbies, our plans for the day, or our skill sets to him and let them become a witness of his presence. If you approach your days in this way, God may lead you in surprising ways. He will never let you waste your talents. As you persevere in faith, discernment, and love, he will help you to direct your past experiences and present gifts—and as much of your life as you'll let him—toward building his kingdom here on earth. "St. Paul, pray for me to use my abilities in cooperation with God's plan." Psalm 98:1-4
John 16:16-20 | From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
""Your blood be on your heads! I am clear of responsibility." I've heard some theologians and bible scholars and spiritual directors say that there's not much one can do after a child leaves the home, if you've taught them the faith and brought them up in a loving and faithful home. It's on them...right? It basically seems that Saint Paul today, shook his dust off his sandals and left those that wouldn't listen anymore. Life is precious, and not to be wasted. We are a pro-life people. Life and every moment of life is to be treasured and given to God. Faith must come in now. Not later. We should take a cue from the child that abandons their home...and their faith. Where is your faith now my child? | We pray in Psalms:
"The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power" | In today's Gospel we heard our Lord:
""A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me." Hindsight shows us that He revealed Himself after a little while, after He died.
But they didn't know what He meant because what we know of in Resurrection didn't compute or exist in their time. Now...we take Resurrection for granted.
But today, we can joyfully anticipate what our Lord has done, in the glorious ASCENSION!
We will be celebrating on Sunday what we should be celebrating today in the Holy Ascension of our Lord.
If you read the scriptures, you will see that the disciples leave super excited from the place of the Ascension and straight to....temples, to worship God.
Don't we need that kind of excitement today? Especially in a dark and gloomy and zombie like world where all you hear of is death and misery?
I know I'd like to focus on our Lord today for this exact reason. | Yet, even if the Lord did this again, would you believe that some would still not believe?
That even if you had a great miracle happen, you'd still fall back on your old ways of not truly giving your life to God!
Yet, this very story happens every day.
An unknown miracle happened yesterday. What happened? NOTHING. Sometimes nothing happening can be a miracle...like an unanswered prayer. The more I ponder the death of my best friend, my dad, and my boss for decades, dying at 69, I think more and more in light of God's love and better ways. Sure, we wish we could have our loved ones to love and to hold for longer...but God knows ...perhaps now I love my dad even more, as strange as that may sound, and even better...as horrible as that may sound. I had him for a little while, and in another while I will see him again. So take heart with your loved ones, both now and in the hereafter...for I never cease to pray for my loved ones that never lose existence in my heart. This is the plan of God, that we should live forever....in Him and through Him.
Can this then, provide a bit of excitement, and hope, and faith?
So shake the dust of misery off yourself. Shake off doubt.
I envision a world that gives more beautiful Glory To God, and you are a part like me, together giving greater honor and Glory to Our FATHER in Heaven! | from your brother in Christ,
Adrian |  click to hear | Random bible verse generator: James 1:13–14 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
