.: 05/22/23

Monday, May 22, 2023

† In The World You....

†Quote of the Day
"See, my children, we must reflect that we have a soul to save, and an eternity that awaits us. The world, its riches, pleasures, and honors will pass away; heaven and hell will never pass away. Let us take care, then. The saints did not all begin well; but they all ended well. We have begun badly; let us end well, and we shall go one day and meet them in heaven."
–St. John Vianney

†Today's Meditation
"The greatest suffering of the souls in purgatory, it seems to me, is the awareness that something in them displeases God, that they have deliberately gone against His great goodness. I can also see that the divine essence is so pure and light-filled—much more than we can imagine—that the soul that has but the slightest imperfection would rather throw itself into a thousand hells than appear thus before the divine presence."
—St. Catherine of Genoa, p.41

†Daily Verse
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

–Colossians 3:16-17

click to read more

St. Rita of Cascia
St. Rita of Cascia (1381-1457) was born in Italy during an era of violent strife between cities and warring family tribes. As a child she repeatedly requested to enter the convent, but instead her parents arranged her marriage to a rich, ill-tempered, and violent man. He became physically abusive, yet she met his cruelty with kindness and patience. During her eighteen years of marriage she bore two sons whom she loved deeply. After many years of persistent prayer she eventually won her husband over to greater civility and kindness. When he was murdered, her sons plotted a bloody vendetta against the culprits. St. Rita labored to guide her children into forgiveness, without success. She earnestly prayed that God would change her son's murderous intentions, or allow them to die rather than commit a mortal sin. God heard St. Rita's prayers, and soon both of her sons became ill and died. St. Rita was then free to join the convent, however, she was rejected due to her family's connection with the local violence. She finally obtained entry only after much prayer, humility, patience, and perseverance. St. Rita's life in the convent was marked by heroic charity and penance as she closely united herself and her life of deep suffering to Christ. While praying before a crucifix, St. Rita mystically received a thorn in her forehead (stigmata) from Jesus' Crown of Thorns. St. Rita is the patron saint of impossible causes, difficult marriages, and abuse victims. Her feast day is May 22nd.

Reading 1 Acts 19:1-8

While Apollos was in Corinth,
Paul traveled through the interior of the country
and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples.
He said to them,
"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?"
They answered him,
"We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
He said, "How were you baptized?"
They replied, "With the baptism of John."
Paul then said, "John baptized with a baptism of repentance,
telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him,
that is, in Jesus."
When they heard this,
they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul laid his hands on them,
the Holy Spirit came upon them,
and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Altogether there were about twelve men.

He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly
with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab

R. (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven;
as wax melts before the fire.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Col 3:1

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If then you were raised with Christ,
seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 16:29-33

The disciples said to Jesus,
"Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech.
Now we realize that you know everything
and that you do not need to have anyone question you.
Because of this we believe that you came from God."
Jesus answered them, "Do you believe now?
Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived
when each of you will be scattered to his own home
and you will leave me alone.
But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but take courage, I have conquered the world."

DAILY MEDITATION: JOHN 16:29-33

I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. (John 16:33)

Peace. It's something we all want. Whether it's peace in our personal lives, peace in our families, or peace among nations, it's something that every human heart longs for. It's something we spend time and energy striving to create in the midst of our turbulent world.

But the deep and unwavering peace that Jesus gives us is different from the peace the world offers us. As Jesus tells his disciples in today's Gospel, "In the world you will have trouble" (John 16:33). That's not necessarily a bad thing to realize. Because if we don't get our peace from the world, then the world won't be able to take away our peace.

So what did Jesus tell his disciples so that they "might have peace" in him (John 16:33)? First, he said that he knew a time would come when their peace would be shattered by the devastating events of his arrest, crucifixion, and death. He knew that these events would cause them to scatter and leave him alone (16:32). Similarly, each of us will experience losses, disappointments, or crises that can shatter our peace and cause us to question Jesus' love. It's a part of life. Jesus knows this, and he wants us to know it, too.

Second, just before the verses in today's Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that he is "leaving the world and going back to the Father" (John 16:28). Jesus didn't say this to incite fear in them but to give them courage. All the events that threatened to steal their peace were, in the end, enfolded into God's plan. Jesus would soon be with his Father, and they would soon see him risen in glory. This promise is true for us as well. We may face troubles in this world, but Jesus is still with us; he is still looking out for us. He has "conquered the world" (16:33)!

Peace. It comes from knowing that we can trust in Jesus, the One who has conquered the world. He will always be with us and will always take care of us. In him, we can find the peace that cannot be shaken!

"Jesus, help me have peace in you, no matter what happens today."

Acts 19:1-8
Psalm 68:2-7

click to hear 2cents

[Listen to audio version of 2 cents here

Reflections with Brother Adrian:

From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
"And when Paul laid his hands on them,
the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied." End of verse.

Before our Lord Jesus was born, it was all about the Father. And then our Lord was born, and it was all about the Son. And now is it all about the Holy Spirit? Isn't the trinity all 3 the same? Is it different parts of God! Whatever it may be, it is truly amazing. And get ready, Pentecost is coming. For if we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, everything can be amazing in us for the Father.

We pray today:
"God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven;
as wax melts before the fire.
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth."
End Psalm.

St. Catherine said today: ". I can also see that the divine essence is so pure and light-filled—much more than we can imagine—that the soul that has but the slightest imperfection would rather throw itself into a thousand hells than appear thus before the divine presence."
His enemies scatter. Those who hate Him, flee from Him. And we can see it today, those who stray from the faith, they lose something integral for Heaven....a real love of the Father.
This is where this message comes in for you...to grow deeper in love with Our Father, our Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Who can embrace the Holy Spirit? Simple. Let Him inside Your Heart!

In the Gospel today we heard:

"Jesus answered them, "Do you believe now?
Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived
when each of you will be scattered to his own home
and you will leave me alone.
But I am not alone, because the Father is with me." says our Lord.

Who left our Lord alone at the hour of His greatest need?
All of His disciples, except one. The beloved Disciple stayed. What does this mean? Exactly like our Lord said. That if we don't love Him, we hate Him.
OUCH! That line hurts, doesn't it? It's either yes or no. You either love or you don't. We can't live one life and live another, then you would not be true. Our Lord in Heaven loves true Love. We on earth like to reap fruits of labor, fruit of the earth, but God loves something much more precious...true Love. And speaking from experience, this is like mining for Gold as I pick up my ax and shovel for the Lord, it is not that easy! There is lots of fake love. Fool's gold. But to find the kind of love that God poured out on the cross? Where all friends abandon you and you are sitting there pouring out your blood from your heart dying on the cross? And all that blood for all the enemies? And for every single sin that would be coming from billions of souls thereafter? It is mind boggling That is why I am amazed at our Lord, and even the world.

"But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but take courage, I have conquered the world." says our Lord.

We celebrated the Ascension this Sunday. These words should remain engraved in our Hearts. That our Lord says, " I will not leave you. I Am with you always, till the end of age. I will not leave you orphans. Even if your mother and father forsake you, I will never forsake you."
So chin up! Daddy in Heaven loves you! Our Father is daddy! Our Father loves us together, and forever. The Ascension has brought us hope. And that there has been room for billions of souls, and the vacant seats are yet to be filled in Heaven is amazing. Your place has your name on it. It is the banquet of love. It is potluck too! Bring your love to share. Afterall...it is God's love!

...†....
Let's pray:
Lord, our home is where our hearts are. Let our homes be Your home. Let Your Love pour through us. Let us light up heaven with an explosion of a generation of pure love of You.