†Saint Quote
"What was the first rule of our dear Savior's life? You know it was to do His Father's will. Well, then, the first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly to do it in the manner He wills; and thirdly, to do it because it is His will."
–St. Elizabeth Ann Seton †Today's Meditation
"Let them fly with utter confidence to this most sweet Mother of mercy and grace in all dangers, difficulties, needs, doubts, and fears. Under her guidance, under her patronage, under her kindness and protection, nothing is to be feared; nothing is hopeless. Because, while bearing toward us a truly motherly affection and having in her care the work of our salvation, she is solicitous about the whole human race. And since she has been appointed by God to be the Queen of heaven and earth, and is exalted above all the choirs of angels and saints, and even stands at the right hand of her only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, she presents our petitions in a most efficacious manner. When she asks, she obtains. Her pleas can never be unheard."
—Blessed Pope Pius IX, p.84 An Excerpt From
Manual for Marian Devotion †Daily Verse
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways."
–James 1:5-8 |  click to read more | | St. Elizabeth Ann Seton St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774–1821) was born in New York City to a wealthy, virtuous, and influential family. She married a businessman, and together they lived on Wall Street. They attended an Episcopalian church where Elizabeth was very active in charitable works to the poor. When her father-in-law died, she became like a mother to her husband's six younger siblings, in addition to her own five children. During a trip to Italy she was introduced to Catholicism, and she converted to the Catholic Church following the death of her husband. After losing her family fortune, Elizabeth spent her life working to improve education and provide for the poor, as well as the needs of her family. She established the first Catholic school in the nation, and also founded the Sisters of Charity, the first American religious community. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was the first native-born citizen of the United States to be declared a saint. She is also the patron of widows and those who have lost parents or children. Her feast day is January 4th. | Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious • Readings for the Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious [In the Dioceses of the United States] Reading 1 1 Jn 3:7-10 Children, let no one deceive you.
The person who acts in righteousness is righteous,
just as he is righteous.
Whoever sins belongs to the Devil,
because the Devil has sinned from the beginning.
Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the Devil.
No one who is begotten by God commits sin,
because God's seed remains in him;
he cannot sin because he is begotten by God.
In this way,
the children of God and the children of the Devil are made plain;
no one who fails to act in righteousness belongs to God,
nor anyone who does not love his brother. Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 7-8, 9 R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
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. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
Let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy before the LORD.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD comes;
he comes to rule the earth;
He will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Alleluia HEB 1:1-2 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets:
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 1:35-42 John was standing with two of his disciples,
and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,
"Behold, the Lamb of God."
The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.
Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,
"What are you looking for?"
They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher),
"where are you staying?"
He said to them, "Come, and you will see."
So they went and saw where he was staying,
and they stayed with him that day.
It was about four in the afternoon.
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,
was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.
He first found his own brother Simon and told him,
"We have found the Messiah," which is translated Christ.
Then he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said,
"You are Simon the son of John;
you will be called Cephas," which is translated Peter.
| Daily Meditation: John 1:35-42 Come, and you will see. (John 1:39) GPS and smartphones take much of the guesswork out of getting from place to place. "In one-half mile, take exit 42," they tell us. "Keep left at the fork; in two hundred feet, turn right." Concise, precise, and, voilà, you've arrived at your destination. If we're accustomed to such directions, we might find Jesus' invitation to "come, and you will see" less practical (John 1:39). And yet it will get you to your eternal destination better than GPS ever could. Come, Jesus says. Responding to this summons will launch you on a new and exciting journey. It's an invitation to develop a relationship with the Lord, just as Andrew and Simon Peter did. The invitation, though, is not reserved just for "first-timers." It includes a call to deepen that relationship and to move close to Jesus. Whether you're a first-timer or a "long-timer," each step involves the same thing: spending time in prayer talking and listening to the Lord. Jesus invites you to come as you are, whoever you are, wherever you are, to take another step in his direction and learn from him. "Come and see," Jesus says. "See who I truly am and what I'm doing. See that I know you personally and entirely. See what I have in store for you today." In your prayer, ask Jesus to open your eyes to see him. Ask him, "Where are you today, Jesus? What do you want me to understand about you? How do you want me to follow you?" And then sit quietly to listen. All day, be alert and watch for his answers. Step-by-step, this journey takes place in your home, in your place of business, and in your ordinary daily tasks. As you come and see, Jesus will teach and guide you. Perhaps he will help you to see his love for you. Perhaps he will prompt you to repair a strained relationship. Or maybe he will spark a new idea about someone to pray for. The Lord has something new for you every morning. As we begin this new year, come, and you will see what it is. "Jesus, I'm coming to you today. I want to see where you are today and what you are doing." 1 John 3:7-10
Psalm 98:1, 7-9 | From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
_"Children, let no one deceive you.
The person who acts in righteousness is righteous, just as he is righteous. Whoever sins belongs to the Devil..." It's almost like, you are a slave either way....either for our Lord our Father...or slaves to sin...the devil itself. And the choice is ours. And our Lord says His slavery means freedom. And it is true. For all of us sinners duped into sin, fooled, we have a high price to pay for our sins, don't we? Have you ever suffered for your poor decisions? It is our own doing, right? But we can be made free, if we turn to Him. We can be slaves of Love. And this slavery is what can raise us with grace to Heaven. | We pray today;
"The LORD comes; he comes to rule the earth; He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with equity.
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God." And our Lord said that there was a ruler in the world, a darkness to contend with. But He also said to take heart, for He would now take over. This no longer is a world that belongs to darkness, but is under the Kingship of our Lord God in Heaven through Jesus. This is for us who desire to be His. | In the Gospel today we heard:
""What are you looking for?"
They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher),
"where are you staying?"
He said to them, "Come, and you will see." What are you looking for my child? | From Bishop Barron today:
"Friends, in today's Gospel, two of John the Baptist's disciples follow Jesus and encounter him.
Jesus' question to the two young men—"What are you looking for?"—is an indispensably important one. Many people go through life not really knowing what they most fundamentally want, and accordingly, they drift.
The correct answer to Jesus' question is "eternal life" or "friendship with God" or "holiness." This is the simple, clear, unambiguous articulation of the end goal that any believer should have as he endeavors to lead his life.
Now, other people may know more or less what they want spiritually, but they lack the courage and attention to pursue that end in the face of distractions and opposition. They know that they should be growing in holiness, but the secular culture proposes sex, pleasure, power, and honor so attractively that they lose their way. Or perhaps they receive withering criticism from those who are stuck in the old, standard way of life, and they give in.
What are we looking for? "
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sometimes we miss the mark when we guess, or leave things for later. And the original language for the word "sin" actually means to miss the mark. We miss on the availed opportunity, and in spiritual realms, we miss the great opportunity for grace, living in God's grace, and living with the lights turned on.
Can we keep wondering and hoping we kind of make it without much effort? Because, I think that's how most live out their faith. But there is hope now. There are people looking out for those wandering souls that are wondering. God wants you to be full of wonder...for Him. This means, to be amazed by Him. This means, to give your life for Him. I believe it is possible to make a life change, and help others make a life change. Not just once...but every single day we live on earth....as it should be in Heaven. .......................†........................
Lord, every day is a new life, a new gift...the present.
May I live it according to Your Holy will...please send help with saints and angels to help us open ourselves to Your Holy Life...and Holy Grace, forever.
.................................................. adrian |  click to hear | Random Bible Verse 1
Philippians 1:29 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
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