†Quote of the Day
"If you want God to hear your prayers, hear the voice of the poor. If you wish God to anticipate your wants, provide those of the needy without waiting for them to ask you."
–St. Thomas of Villanova †Today's Meditation
"In times of spiritual coldness and laziness, imagine in your heart those times in the past when you were full of zeal and solicitude in all things, even the smallest. Remember your past efforts and the energy with which you opposed those who wanted to obstruct your progress. These recollections will reawaken your soul from its deep sleep, will invest it once more with the fire of zeal, will raise it, as it were, from the dead, and will make it engage in an ardent struggle against the Devil and sin, thus being restored to its former height."
—St. Isaak of Syria, p. 146 An Excerpt From
Manual for Spiritual Warfare †Daily Verse
"Therefore thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I am laying in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: 'He who believes will not be in haste.'""
–Isaiah 28:16 |  click to read more | | St. Bede the Venerable St. Bede (672–735 A.D.), also known as the Venerable Bede, was born to a wealthy family in England. At the age of seven he was sent to the Benedictine monastery to be educated by the monks. He discerned a vocation to the monastic life, and devoted himself to prayer and to the study of Sacred Scripture and Church history. After being ordained at the age of thirty, he went on to become a prolific writer and teacher. He was considered to be a genius and was widely famous for his theological works and knowledge of ecclesiastical history. He was also well-versed in all the natural sciences known in his day, making him an extraordinary scholar whose influence spread throughout Europe for centuries. During his life he was also considered to be a saint, and his writings were so filled with heavenly wisdom that a Church council ordered them to be read publicly in the churches. Bede was given the name Venerable not long after his death, and centuries later was named a Doctor of the Church. St. Bede's feast day is celebrated on May 25th. | Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 Wishing to determine the truth about why Paul was being accused by the Jews, the commander freed him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to convene. Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before them. Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees, so he called out before the Sanhedrin, "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees; I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead." When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the group became divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, while the Pharisees acknowledge all three. A great uproar occurred, and some scribes belonging to the Pharisee party stood up and sharply argued, "We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" The dispute was so serious that the commander, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, ordered his troops to go down and rescue Paul from their midst and take him into the compound. The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome." Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11 R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or R. Alleluia.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the Lord, "My Lord are you."
O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot. R. I bless the Lord who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the Lord ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. R. Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence;
Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. R. You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever. R. Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia.
May they all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
that the world may believe that you sent me, says the Lord. Jn 17:21
Alleluia, alleluia. John 17:20-26 Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: "Holy Father, I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them." | Daily Meditation: John 17:20-26 I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word. (John 17:20) Jesus knew his hour had come. Judas was about to betray him, and that would usher in the events of his passion and death. In those final moments, Jesus prayed to his Father—not just for his disciples, but for the entire Church. Each person who would come to believe in him was on his mind and in his heart, including you. You are part of Jesus' great prayer! That they may all be one (John 17:21). Jesus prayed that you would be united with all of your brothers and sisters in Christ. That means he prayed that you would desire and work for unity. That also means that he prayed that you would come to participate more fully in the unity that Jesus has with his Father. That the world may know that . . . you loved them even as you loved me (John 17:23). Jesus prayed that you would show the people around you what it looks like to be a beloved child of God. Your life becomes a clear witness to this love in the way that you are united with other believers. Or in the way that you love your neighbor. Or in the way that you live in the dignity of being a cherished son or daughter of God. They are your gift to me (John 17:24). Jesus sees you as a gift. He looked forward to the day you would be born. He anticipated all the ways he would work in your life and draw you to faith. You are precious to him. The same goes for all your brothers and sisters in Christ. See yourself as a gift, yes, but also see other people as the Father's gift to Jesus and to you. That they may see my glory that you gave me (John 17:24). Jesus wanted you to know who he is: the Son of God seated in glory with the Father. Every time you experience his presence in prayer or at Mass, you taste that glory. Every time you understand the Scriptures better, you sense his glory. And every time you forgive or reach out to your neighbor, you are showing his glory to the world around you. Just as he did over two thousand years ago, Jesus is still praying for you today. "Jesus, thank you for praying for me. I know that your Father hears every word." Acts 22:30; 23:6-11
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11 | From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
" The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome." said our Lord. What were the first two words that our Lord said to Paul again? "Take Courage". They say that this is the signs of the Holy Spirit...that He encourages. Do you find encouragement here? It is our Lord! | We pray today:
"I bless the Lord who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the Lord ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed" end of Psalm. How can we bless the Lord? Do we truly bless Him? The answer is twofold, bless Him in rightful worship as He desires, and to bless those in need. | In the Gospel today we heard: "I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them." says our Lord to Our Father. Do you believe in love? To believe in true love is to believe in God. We've been losing faith in love, therefore losing faith in God. How can we make a return? A return to what? To Love. Doesn't it sound like that is what our Lord is speaking about? He speaks about the Father's love from the "foundation of the world". And our Lord says that we do not know Him. But Jesus knows Him. So let me tell you what our Lord has inspired upon me. That for over 2,000 years since He walked this earth, He is still living this love of the Father, and the most mesmerizing aspect is to try to fathom His mercy, upon billions of souls, and each one's multitude of sins, many compounded on upon the other. This is an incredible thought, and it should prove one thing...that God is mercy. If we would only desire mercy, and seek His love, and how?
Did we not read somewhere today that we should anticipate God's love? That is, that we should be serving Him in anticipation of His love? Our Lord lives in us, and this is why He said "...the love with which You loved me may be in them and I in them".
This is how the world will know that God exists. Many souls would convert...if they would believe in love.
This is where you and me come in. Love of the poor. Yes. Love of neighbor. Yes. Love of God in His Holy Temple, yes! But true love my friend isn't a feeling. It is a decision. A decision to will the good of the other. And true love expects nothing in return. How could you ever make a return, or pay back anything to God? It is impossible, but love brings joy and life.
Life as a true Christ follower then is just that...a sacrifice. Everything one does calls for sacrifice. Ask St. Paul, about all the sacrifices it took to follow Christ. He was a man after God's own heart. | Let us pray:
Lord in Heaven, let Thy Holy Light shine on us, that we may turn that light into life through our souls and bodies for Thy Kingdom, Thy power, Thy glory forever more. | Random Bible Verse 1Random Bible Verse
Psalm 3:3 But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
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