†Quote of the Day
"Remember the sufferings of Christ, the storms that were weathered... the crown that came from those sufferings which gave new radiance to the faith... All saints give testimony to the truth that without real effort, no one ever wins the crown."
–St. Thomas Becket †Today's Meditation
"Let us pass on now to the other question—namely, what you can do to strengthen your resolutions and make them succeed? There is no better mean than to put them into practice. But you say that you are still so weak that, although you often make strong resolutions not to fall into the particular imperfection of which you want to cure yourself, no sooner does the occasion present itself than down you go. Shall I tell you why we are still so weak? It is because we will not abstain from food that does not agree with us. It is as if a person who wished to be free from pains in the stomach were to ask a physician what he should do. The doctor replies, 'Do not eat such and such food, because it brings you pain'; and yet the person will not abstain from it. We do the same. For example, we should like to love reproof, and yet we obstinately cling to our own opinions. That is foolishness. You will never be strong enough to bear reproof courageously while you are nourishing yourself with the food of self-esteem. I wish to keep my soul recollected, and yet I will not restrain all sorts of idle thoughts: the two things are incompatible. Ah! How much I wish that I could be steadfast and regular in my religious exercises; at the same time I wish not to find them so trying—in fact, I want to find the work done for me. That cannot be in this life, for we shall always have to labor."
—St. Francis de Sales, p. 97 | St. Thomas Becket St. Thomas Becket (1118-1170), also known as St. Thomas of Canterbury, was the son of a prosperous London merchant. Being a well-educated youth, he was appointed as clerk to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and was later made Archdeacon. In this role he met and became close friends with King Henry II of England. The King promoted Becket to the office of Lord Chancellor, and, when the Archbishop of Canterbury died, made Becket the new Archbishop in 1162, the most powerful ecclesiastical position in all of England. King Henry II supposed that having his close friend in such a position would enable him to enforce his will on the Church. However, in his new role as priest and archbishop, Thomas Becket experienced a religious conversion and transferred his ultimate allegiance to the Church. This led to frequent conflicts over the rights of the Church between the King of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury, resulting in Becket's exile. When Becket returned to England, he was murdered by four knights, the king's lackeys, as he was offering Mass at the Canterbury Cathedral altar on December 29, 1170. St. Thomas Becket's feast day is December 29th. | The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas • Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr Reading 1 1 Jn 2:3-11 Beloved:
The way we may be sure that we know Jesus
is to keep his commandments.
Whoever says, "I know him," but does not keep his commandments
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps his word,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:
whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked. Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you
but an old commandment that you had from the beginning.
The old commandment is the word that you have heard.
And yet I do write a new commandment to you,
which holds true in him and among you,
for the darkness is passing away,
and the true light is already shining.
Whoever says he is in the light,
yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light,
and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.
Whoever hates his brother is in darkness;
he walks in darkness
and does not know where he is going
because the darkness has blinded his eyes. Responsorial Psalm Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6 R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
The LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty go before him;
praise and grandeur are in his sanctuary.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice! Alleluia Lk 2:32 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A light of revelation to the Gentiles
and glory for your people Israel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 2:22-35 When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: "Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel." The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
"Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
| Daily Meditation: Luke 2:22-35 He took him into his arms and blessed God. (Luke 2:28) How many times have you heard the Christmas story or seen it acted out, whether by professional actors or children in makeshift robes? Every detail is so familiar that it can slide right over you. But today's Gospel from Luke's infancy narrative may be less familiar. It tells of the priest Simeon coming into the Temple, taking the baby Jesus into his arms, and praising God. What would it be like to witness this incredible story? Try placing yourself into the scene today and imagine that you have an important role to play. As you do, ask the Lord to refresh you and stir your heart. Picture yourself as the elderly Simeon. All your life you've been hearing and reading prophecies about God sending a messiah to rescue your people. As the years go by, you become more certain that the time of his coming is very near and that you yourself will live to see it. One morning you come into the Temple, and the Holy Spirit draws your attention to a humble couple. They are offering two turtledoves and consecrating their newborn son to the Lord. There's nothing especially remarkable about their actions, but the Spirit helps you recognize in this tiny infant the very Messiah you have been waiting for! Stretch out your arms and let Mary place Jesus in them. Carefully cradle his head. Gaze into his eyes. Brush your finger over his cheek. Don't be surprised if you feel an intense love in your heart as you hold him. You would do anything to protect this precious child! Linger without worrying how much time is passing. If words arise in your heart, bend down to whisper them into Jesus' ear. If you detect the faintest trace of a smile on his lips, don't explain it away. Treasure the Messiah, the hope of your people, whom you are holding in your own arms. Let him move your heart to respond and to offer your life to him! "Jesus, I am so grateful that you set aside your heavenly power and glory to become a vulnerable child I can hold in my arms! Thank you for the unconditional love that has brought you so very close to me." 1 John 2:3-11
Psalm 96:1-3, 5-6 |  click to hear 2cents | Reflections with Brother Adrian:
Audio English | From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
"Whoever says, "I know him," but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. ......" end of verse.
We always hear people say "well I'm not perfect" or "nobody's perfect!" right? And it is the same to hear them say "well, I'm only human". But what do those phrases really try to say? Are they saying "I'll NEVER be perfect? And if so, this means "why even bother trying to be perfect!". Right? But our Lord tells us today "whoever keeps His word, the love of God is TRULY Perfected in him". Our Lord our Savior also told us "Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
He also says "be blameless" and "be Holy".
So can we be perfect, blameless, and holy?
Apparently God says so. Do you believe? Will you die trying? Making it the highest priority? | We pray today:
"Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice......." end of psalm. | In the Gospel today we heard:
"Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."......" end of Gospel verse.
. . . | From Bishop Barron:
"The Presentation of Jesus, perfected on the cross, is re-presented every time the Mass is celebrated. The Mass is certainly a festive meal, the moment when God feeds his people with his very Body and Blood; but the Mass is also a sacrifice, for it involves the offering of Jesus' Body and Blood to the Father.
The Son, bearing the sins of the world, is presented to the Father: "Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever." Does God need this sacrifice? Of course not; God needs nothing. But our salvation is effected through this presentation, for we are brought back to the Father through the Son.....".
When we pray this mystery of the Holy Rosary, at the presentation, we always say the "fruit of the mystery" for this mystery is obedience.
Mother Mary, Saint Joseph, they all appear at the temple to offer a sacrifice, and Mother Mary must offer herself for purification after child birth. It is then, a holy visit, to be more perfect by doing the will of God. Are these man-made traditions any good? Who gets to call traditions worthy or not? The Holy Church has authority to help us be more perfect. We now have the Holy Sacraments, and there are only two that are availed eternally, mercy and sacrifice, that is Penitence/Reconciliation and Eucharist. These two go hand in hand. One makes the other more perfect. We should develop now a taste for mercy. We should develop a love and hunger for Eucharist. The more perfect we can offer ourselves at the temple, the better, not just for God (because He doesn't need our sacrifice), but for the whole world which is in dire need of our sacrifice.
What sacrifice? Atonement. Such is the whole reason for sacrifice from the beginning. And the atonement gives thanks. It is the completion of Reconciliation.
And lastly, let me say, everything matters. All your thoughts, your pains, your words, your actions, everything matters, whether you are at home, at church, in jail, or in a hospital. Everything you do matters.
Even a heart pain can be offered.
I never understood Mother Mary sword through the heart that "Simeon" prophesied. Until my best friend, my dad died. I literally felt the sword through the heart for a long time and I could tell you exactly physically where it hurts in the front and the back of my body, and through the heart. Two years in February, and I can still feel it if I let myself. I'm operating with a dagger wound that nobody on earth can heal, but our Lord. I am trying to heal. But the dagger in the heart has made me collapse at the cross, like our Mother Mary. And this is not weakness...but a total surrender.
I have nowhere else to go, I belong to God.
We all belong to Him. If every little thing matters, can you imagine the value, the worth, of the great things done with great love? Like our Lord Himself on the cross...forever sacrificed and forever giving of mercy from His side. All things mercy and sacrifice, body and blood, soul and divinity.
This is the last message for the year 2023.
Many are planning on losing weight for new years, i've already heard several resolutions.
But I haven't heard the resolution to get rid of the heavy weight of sin, and bondage. I haven't heard anyone say "This year I will offer solely to do God's will". I haven't heard "I will try to be perfect as my Father in Heaven is perfect."
We should strive to outdo one another in love.
Everything else is temporary. What God deals with is eternal. Pray with me:
My Father in Heaven, I am Yours and Yours I wish to be. I want to be united with Thee more intimately. Show us that You are the sole provider and healer. Reveal Yourself the more we try. Do not hide Your beautiful face any longer. Do not allow us to be sinful and evil. Do not allow us, even though it will cost us our lives, because we want to be like You Father, perfect, beautiful, full of light, and giving life with true love, forever. |  Click To Hear | Random Bible Verse 1
2 Timothy 2:15 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,1 a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
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