†Saint Quote
"Be a Catholic: When you kneel before an altar, do it in such a way that others may be able to recognize that you know before whom you kneel."
–St. Maximilian Kolbe †Today's Meditation
"If favored souls are sometimes sensibly conscious of the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in our churches, how much more must holy Joseph, whose spiritual senses were so delicate and refined, have felt his heart burn within him with divine charity, from the nearness of Him who now dwelt in Mary as His living tabernacle!"
—Edward Healy Thompson, p. 168 An Excerpt From
The Life & Glories of Saint Joseph †Daily Verse
"Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart."
–Hebrews 12:3 |  click to read more | | St. Agnes of Montepulciano St. Agnes of Montepulciano (1268–1317) was born into a noble family in Tuscany. Her birth was announced with strange lights surrounding her dwelling, considered a sign that she was a favored child. At nine years of age she requested to enter the local Franciscan monastery in Montepulciano. Although doing so at her young age was against Church law, she obtained special permission from the pope. She became a model nun, reached a high degree of contemplative prayer, and executed her duties so well that she was chosen to help found and lead a new monastery in Proceno when she was just 15 years old, again with special permission at her young age. She lived there for 20 years and became known as a great mystic and visionary while cultivating a special devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. She became locally famous for her miracles as well as for her austerities. She lived on bread and water, slept on the ground, and used a stone for a pillow. Eventually, Agnes returned to Montepulciano. By request she founded and led an even larger monastery, this time receiving a vision that it should be a convent of Dominican nuns dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Through her prayers she cured the sick, multiplied food, and raised to life a child who had drowned. Her feast day is April 20. | Acts 5:27-33 When the court officers had brought the Apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, "We gave you strict orders did we not, to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man's blood upon us." But Peter and the Apostles said in reply, "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." When they heard this, they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death. Psalm 34:2, 9, 17-20 R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or R. Alleluia.
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Taste and see how good the Lord is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him. R. The Lord confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the Lord hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them. R. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the Lord delivers him. R. Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia.
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;
blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe! Jn 20:29 Alleluia, alleluia. John 3:31-36 The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him. | Daily Meditation: Acts 5:27-33 We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29) The first chapters of the Book of Acts read like an action-packed adventure story: thousands of conversions, dramatic healings, and even a miraculous deliverance from prison! All because the apostles were boldly preaching the good news of Jesus' resurrection. Of course, they knew that their activities could land them on the wrong side of the religious authorities. But when warned to stop, they could only reply, "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). What astounding faith! Yet these same men weren't always like this. Just think of how they all scattered when Jesus was arrested. Peter denied even knowing him (Luke 22:54-62). What had changed? It was the Holy Spirit, whom they had received at Pentecost. Now they were witnessing the Spirit's power at work in themselves and in the people they encountered. We, too, have received the Holy Spirit, and we have seen the Spirit at work in our lives and in the people around us. And just as he called the apostles, the Spirit calls us to share the good news. We might be fearful of rejection or of offending someone. We might be afraid of saying the wrong thing. But if we step out in faith, we'll begin to see God working in power. And that will cause our faith to grow, just as it did for the apostles. Is there a family member or a friend who has been on your heart lately? Someone you'd like to see come closer to the Lord? That could be the Holy Spirit nudging you to step out and take a risk. Ask God to help you find ways to share your faith with them. Don't think you have to give a powerful testimony. Maybe all you have to do is send that person a Scripture verse or tell them, "God loves you" or "I'm praying for you." Keep asking the Holy Spirit to help you and keep taking those steps, no matter how small, to reach out with the love of God. As you do, you'll become more confident. Not only that, but like the apostles, you'll get to see firsthand the power of the Spirit touching people through your words. "Holy Spirit, give me the courage to spread the good news." Psalm 34:2, 9, 17-20
John 3:31-36 |  click to hear 2cents | Listen to my2cents audio. Share the link if you like:
[Click to hear it | From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
" "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree." Did you see what our first Pope Peter said? He said "we must obey God...the God that raised Jesus"...and we take it a step further...God IS Jesus.
Much like we are the body of Christ, He IS GOD one in being with Him totally. It gets deep, but what I love about it? We are connected. We are meant to be together. Take joy in this. Stay connected, no matter the differences. | We pray today:
"I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Taste and see how good the Lord is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him." | In the Gospel today we heard: "Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit." | From Bishop Barron Today:
"Friends, today's Gospel promises eternal life to those who believe in the Son of God.
In almost every religion, the life of faith has something to do with a creature's relationship to the Creator; nearly all religions speak of the creature's dependency upon God, of his subjection to the divine providence, and of his need for grace and forgiveness. Christianity, too, articulates these basic relationships, but it pushes beyond them because it speaks of the Incarnation and the gifts associated with it.
We hear in the third chapter of John's Gospel that "God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." This well-known verse summarizes the Christian faith and gives expression to its distinctiveness, for it speaks of the possibility that a creature might share in God's own life.
The purpose of the sending of the Son was to gather the human race into the divine life—the rhythm of the Trinitarian love—so that we might relate to God not merely as creatures but as friends. You see, love becomes complete only when there is another who can receive fully what the lover wants to give." end quote.
. . . . God is trustworthy. Isn't He? Then, can can we not trust the one whom God sends? He sent His Son. And now the Son is sent through the Holy Spirit. God speaks.
Are we listening?
Or are you too busy? Are you too worried? Are you too sick? Are you too overwhelmed?
God is speaking and desiring some quiet time with you.
Be ready to listen. Not only in human ears, or feelings, but listen to what God is saying in revelations. He speaks in great movements and small acts, for your eyes to open, for your heart to receive Him.
I say this and I write this, but I write with a purpose.
Firstly, I put myself into His Spirit, after fasting, I begin to write in the middle of all my troubles, and things to do at work and family, and I try to make the faith real for you to see how things work in faith.
Last night my RCIA teenager student said he tells his friends to go to church. They just roll their eyes. They ask him why we got all these "rituals". And so, most just don't come...why? Because, nobody has ever taught them the proper love of God.
God is trustworthy. Isn't He?
Then we must show the world we trust in His love and mercy.
How do we show the world? By the very life that you live and give. Let's pray:
...†....
Lord, I trust in You. Help me love you more and more! | Random Bible Verse
Romans 5:1 Peace with God Through Faith "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we1 have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
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