†Saint Quote
"I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but rather, I believe in order that I may understand."
–St. Anselm of Canterbury †Today's Meditation "The profession of faith of the robber crucified with Christ is one of the most extraordinary events recorded in history. It is difficult to imagine anything so unlikely. When this robber looked at Jesus, he saw One who was apparently a criminal, condemned by His own people and the Roman authorities, dying now on a cross, reviled and mocked by all but a few helpless friends in a little group nearby. Yet he professed his belief that Jesus was the Messiah and begged Him to remember him at the time of His glorious return in His Messianic kingdom…He could see that Jesus was not dying like a criminal. He noted His silence, patience, and goodness. He heard Him address God familiarly as His Father and ask pardon for those who had crucified HIm. All this helped to prepare him for the very special divine grace that alone could account for his sudden conversion from sinner to saint."
—Fr. Ralph Gorman, C
The Last Hours of Jesus - From Gethsemane to Golgotha
An Excerpt From
The Last Hours of Jesus - From Gethsemane to Golgotha †Daily Verse
"And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.'" –1 Samuel 15:22 |  click to read more | | St. Anselm of Canterbury St. Anselm (1033–1109) was born into a noble family in the Lombardy region of Italy. The example of his pious mother led him to great faith, and he sought to enter the monastery at age 15. However, the abbot refused him due to Anselm's stern father. After his mother's death Anselm left home and settled in Normandy to study under the direction of a famed monk named Lanfranc. Upon the death of his father, Anselm became a Benedictine monk at the age of 27. Due to his brilliance, Anselm became a teacher at the abbey's school and prior of the monastery. He went on to become the most learned theologian, philosopher, and mystic of his generation, the greatest since St. Augustine of Hippo. Anselm's fame led to his appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury in England, succeeding Lanfranc in this office, where he went on to correct abuses against the Church at the hand of the English kings. Twice he was banished from the island while appealing to Rome for assistance, and twice he returned to Canterbury to carry on his duties until his death. His abilities as an extraordinary theologian, negotiator, and statesman greatly supported the cause of the Church. As archbishop he continued his monastic lifestyle and intellectual pursuits. He composed several philosophical and theological treatises, as well as a series of beautiful prayers and meditations, which led him to be proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Clement XI in 1720. His feast day is celebrated on April 21st. | . Acts 5:34-42 A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time, and said to the Sanhedrin, "Fellow children of Israel, be careful what you are about to do to these men. Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important, and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed, and all those who were loyal to him were disbanded and came to nothing. After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census. He also drew people after him, but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered. So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God." They were persuaded by him. After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus. Psalm 27:1, 4, 13- R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
or R. Alleluia.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The Lord is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid? R. One thing I ask of the Lord;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the Lord
and contemplate his temple. R. I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord. R. Gospel Acclamation
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Alleluia, alleluia.
One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. Mt 4:4b
Alleluia, alleluia. John 6:1-15 Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?" He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little." One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people recline." Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted." So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, "This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world." Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone. | Daily Meditation: John 6:1-15 . . . five barley loaves and two fish. (John 6:9) Faced with not having enough food for the crowd before him, Jesus had a plan to demonstrate the abundance of God's loving care. But notice, when Jesus asked Philip where they could buy enough food, Philip focused only on the enormous cost. Then Andrew pointed to a boy with five barley loaves and two fish. Philip was probably wondering why Andrew had even mentioned such a small contribution! But Jesus wasn't put off by their responses. Look at what he did! Today, try picturing yourself on the hillside with Jesus and this large crowd. There, standing next to Andrew and Philip, is Jesus holding up the loaves and offering a prayer of thanksgiving to his Father. As the apostles move through the crowd with their baskets, they expect each piece of bread or fish to be the last. But there is always more! You see excitement rippling through the crowd; even those farthest away from Jesus begin to believe there will be enough. And then—all those leftovers! We might sometimes feel like Andrew or Philip as they looked out over that large crowd of hungry people. We fear that we don't have enough. Our strength isn't equal to the task before us. We face a situation that drains the hope right out of us. What could we possibly offer Jesus except our disappointment over the meager amount in our hands? But Jesus welcomes even that. As he did with the five loaves and two fish, he will take what is not enough and make it enough. The important thing is for us to come to Jesus and offer him what we have. Even if it's a broken heart, even if it's the first stirrings of remorse after we sin, even if it's the tiniest expression of gratitude, he is pleased to accept what we give him. He will show us the richness of God's compassion as he takes our offerings and transforms them. He takes our hopelessness and shows us a way through our situation. He takes our contrition and pours out his mercy so that we can start again. He takes our meager gratitude and lovingly reminds us of all the ways he cares for us. What do you have to offer Jesus today? Even if it's only five loaves and two fish, bring it to the Lord and just watch what he does! "Jesus, I offer myself to you." Acts 5:34-42
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14 | From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
_"But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God." _ Nothing can destroy what God desires. His will is going to be accomplished one way or the other.
Such is the plan that has been set forth, that we may decide, and things will work one way or the other. | We pray today:
"The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The Lord is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?" | In the Gospel today we heard: "When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, "This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world." | From Bishop Barron today:
"Friends, today's Gospel tells of the feeding of the five thousand, which is a type of the Mass. Jesus is interested not only in instructing the crowds but also in feeding them. Copying this rhythm, the Mass moves from the Liturgy of the Word to the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
The disciples supply a poor pittance—five barley loaves and two fish. Jesus makes the customary Eucharistic moves in regard to the bread: taking, giving thanks, and distributing. And everyone is fed.
During the sacred liturgy, the priest, on behalf of the people, offers to God a small pittance: some wafers of bread and some wine and water. But because God has no need of these gifts, they come back infinitely multiplied for the benefit of the people. Through the power of Christ's word, those gifts become his very Body and Blood, the only food capable of feeding the deepest hunger of the human heart.
This liturgical rhythm is beautifully conveyed by the laconic lines: "Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted."
. . . . . . This is the one who is to come into the world.
From another world to ours. Is that even possible?
Of course!
Some people that pass on and come back say that it is as if our world is not even real, for they visited the real world.
And by what it seems, 99% do not desire to come back, only a slight few are in a way forced to come back...for what? To fulfill God's will.
What is particular about our situation?
Our situation in this world is phenomenal, and why?
Because, what we do...matters.
Believe it or not. Your little prayers matter. Your great prayers matter. Your actions matter. Your words matter.
Our Lord took the little bread and fish, and did something many don't realize makes things happen...giving thanks. Being thanful for the little we have. And this can amaze us all in the world, and the amazement happens in Heaven too, and how? Love and gratitude amazes heaven.
Only the true believers will see what is being said.
Only true believers will act on what is being said.
Only true believers will change the world.
And from one believer to another, it is about time we get to giving God what is due.
His is all the honor, and glory, and praise...beginning right now, and right there where you are reading this and hearing this. Let's pray:
...†....
Lord, life is simple, and simply amazing, if we can focus all our efforts on the one thing that truly lasts...God's Heart. I love You Lord Jesus, both now...and forever, both in this world, and the world that is to come! | Random Bible Verse 1
Proverbs 28:22 "A stingy man1 hastens after wealth
and does not know that poverty will come upon him." | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
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