†Saint Quote
"When you awake in the night, transport yourself quickly in spirit before the Tabernacle, saying: 'Behold, my God, I come to adore You, to praise, thank, and love you, and to keep you company with all the Angels.'"
–St. John Vianney †Today's Meditation
"I worry some of you still have not really met Jesus—one to one—you and Jesus alone. We may spend time in the chapel—but have you seen with the eyes of your soul how He looks at you with love? Do you really know the living Jesus—not from books but from being with Him in your heart? Have you heard the loving words He speaks to you? Ask for the grace; He is longing to give it. Until you can hear Jesus in the silence of your own heart, you will not be able to hear Him saying 'I Thirst' in the hearts of the poor. Never give up this daily intimate contact with Jesus as the real living person—not just the idea."
—Saint Mother Teresa, p.129-130 An Excerpt From
Manual for Eucharistic Adoration †Daily Verse
"Let me hear in the morning of thy steadfast love, for in thee I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to thee I lift up my soul. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies! I have fled to thee for refuge! Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God! Let thy good spirit lead me on a level path! For thy name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In thy righteousness bring me out of trouble! And in thy steadfast love cut off my enemies, and destroy all my adversaries, for I am thy servant."
–Psalm 143: 8-12 |  click to read more | | St. Justin Martyr St. Justin Martyr (100–165 A.D.) was a pagan philosopher from Samaria. After meeting a Syrian Christian who convinced him that the biblical prophets were more trustworthy in the pursuit of truth than worldly philosophers, St. Justin renounced his paganism and studied Sacred Scripture. The bold witness of the early Christian martyrs led to his own conversion to the Catholic faith. St. Justin then used his philosophical and rhetorical skills to defend Christianity, the "true philosophy," against rival pagan philosophies and political powers which maligned and persecuted the Church. He traveled throughout Asia Minor teaching, arguing, and persuading others to accept baptism and follow Christ, before arriving in Rome where he settled and started his own school. Justin was arrested for his faith in Rome and ordered to make sacrifice to false gods, which he refused. He was martyred by beheading along with several of his students. Justin Martyr is famous for writing the Church's first "Apology," or defense of the Christian faith, showing that Christianity was superior to the pagan religions, and that Christians were model citizens and should not be mistreated. His writings are a prime source of the history of the primitive Church in worship and sacraments, including the Holy Eucharist. He is one of the first great apologists of the Church, and for this he is the patron saint of speakers, apologists, and philosophers. His feast day is June 1st. | Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr • Readings for the Memorial of Saint Justin, martyr Reading I Acts 20:28-38 At Miletus, Paul spoke to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus:
"Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock
of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers,
in which you tend the Church of God
that he acquired with his own Blood.
I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you,
and they will not spare the flock.
And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth
to draw the disciples away after them.
So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day,
I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears.
And now I commend you to God
and to that gracious word of his that can build you up
and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated.
I have never wanted anyone's silver or gold or clothing.
You know well that these very hands
have served my needs and my companions.
In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort
we must help the weak,
and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said,
'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" When he had finished speaking
he knelt down and prayed with them all.
They were all weeping loudly
as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him,
for they were deeply distressed that he had said
that they would never see his face again.
Then they escorted him to the ship. Responsorial Psalm 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab R. (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Show forth, O God, your power the power, O God, with which you took our part;
For your temple in Jerusalem let the kings bring you gifts.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, chant praise to the Lord who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens.
Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power: "Confess the power of God!"
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Over Israel is his majesty; his power is in the skies.
Awesome in his sanctuary is God, the God of Israel; he gives power and strength to his people.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia. Alleluia See Jn 17:17b, 17a R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 17:11b-19 Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:
"Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
except the son of destruction,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the Evil One.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth.
Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth."
| Daily Meditation: John 17:11-19 That they may be one. (John 17:11) When we hear this prayer of Jesus', we often think of the call to unity and reconciliation between Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Christians (John 17:11). We pray for the dialogues happening between these different traditions. Or we think of the ways Christians from different backgrounds can come together in outreach to the poor and needy. Of course, this kind of unity is important, and we must keep praying for it. But it's just as important to look at our relationships in our homes and parishes. It's there, with the people who are closest to us, that we often face the most pressing challenges to unity. It's there that we often face our own need for the humility and self-sacrifice that can overcome division. And it's there, mercifully, that the grace of the Spirit is most available to us! The unity Jesus wants for us is a unity founded on love, the covenant love that he has for all of us. Just as Jesus had given the Twelve the "new commandment" to love one another as he loved them, he says the same to us (John 13:34). In our homes and in our parishes, he wants our love—guided by his own love—to overcome anything that might divide us. The truth is, we need to be united. We need to love one another. Without love, our hearts shrivel up. Cynicism, bitterness, and suspicion overtake humility, generosity, and perseverance. Instead of coming together, we isolate ourselves, and our words and our lives become like a "resounding gong or a clashing cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13:1). Right now, you're probably thinking of one or two situations in which you could be more loving. That could be the Spirit urging you to take the next step toward unity. So take that step, and know that Jesus himself is praying for you. "Lord, make us one in you!" Acts 20:28-38
Psalm 68:29-30, 33-36 | From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
"Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the Church of God
that he acquired with his own Blood." It cost our Lord His blood to found this Holy Church upon imperfect men which He calls to perfection.
What a world huh! And yet our Lord speaks of this world and another world in today's Gospel, but first we pray. | We pray in Psalms:
"Over Israel is his majesty; his power is in the skies. Awesome in his sanctuary is God, the God of Israel; he gives power and strength to his people. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth." And so the world operates by violence and by force, as is evident in our Lord's life, to showcase what is what. Watch the violence that the dark side always turns to. Are you violent? Are you resentful? Are you harboring grudges? Are you angry in an unrighteous way? This is all violence and it all stems from the world....of darkness. And so the Lord is a light on a stand. He shines forth from the cross in the darkness. God is good, He is the good silent lamb and we are called to that light of humility and truth, and great grace and love. | In today's Gospel we heard our Lord:
""Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one." Our Lord prays for unity. He kept praying and saying that we were protected except a son of destruction. Why was that one not protected? You would only know if you have children yourself, and a wayward child. You've done everything in your power in the world of free will...but let this be...a learning lesson for the rest. Lord help us. | From Bishop Barron:
'Jesus continues: "I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One." Precisely because the world is so opposed to the way of Jesus, it is always tempting for Christians more or less to flee, to seek to live in private enclaves where we can cultivate the life of discipleship.
It is true that, at times, the Church must hunker down in order to preserve its life against a hostile culture. But the ultimate purpose of the Church is never hunkering down or escaping. It is the transformation of the culture. The Church always exists for the world. If God simply took us out of the world, he would be removing the leaven necessary for the rising of the dough." | "I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world." Our Lord speaks about worlds, this one, and another one. Are you ready for the next world? This one here is just a taste of what can and shall be. Are you excited? Are you ready? Do you know when you will enter the next world? And how are our worlds connected? The answer would be both mind boggling and amazing.
But for now, our heart should be set as God's Holy Sanctuary.
How does that work? It is mind boggling that our heart could be a Holy Sanctuary, a temple even to allow God to reside.
How beautiful can you make it? How amazing can it be? That is all I dream about is a beautiful Sanctuary, and as beautiful and extravagant we make temples on earth, nothing equates to what is righteously due in His honor. Not even Heaven can contain the glorious grandeur due to God Himself. But He still comes...to the humble heart...to reside, and to make Himself known. Lord, I want to be everything to you as Thou art everything to me...and should be. |  click to hear | Random bible verse generator: WOW Hebrews 10:24–25 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
