†Saint Quote of the Day
"Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you."
–St. Augustine †Today's Meditation
"The difficulty that so many generally find in the study of mystical theology [is that] they want to discover fixed rules in it, like those of asceticism, which are based on the ordinary conditions of virtue, whereas the one and only rule is to be attentive to the inspiration of the Spirit of sanctification, who is not content merely with the good but ever urges us in each single instance to what is most perfect, best, most in conformity with God's pleasure."
—J.G Arintero, O.P., p. An Excerpt From
Stages in Prayer †Daily Verse
"O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for thee. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble."
–Isaiah 33:2 |  click to read more | | St. James the Greater St. James the Greater (died 44 AD) is the brother of St. John the Apostle, and was one of Jesus's original 12 Apostles. The title "Greater" was added to distinguish him from St. James the Lesser, and is believed not to concern status or holiness, but physical height. Besides being the son of Zebedee, what is known of St. James's life comes after he and his brother were called to leave their father and their nets and follow after Jesus. James was one of the three apostles invited to witness the miraculous Transfiguration of Christ on Mount Tabor. As well, his righteous anger at seeing a Samaritan town reject Jesus inspired him to ask Jesus to call down fire on the town, which Jesus gently rebuked. Following Christ's Resurrection and Ascension, James preached the Gospel across the Roman empire before traveling to Spain, where he spread the Gospel for many years. The famous "Camino de Santiago" pilgrimage path in Spain is named in his honor (Santiago is Spanish for James). At the end of his life, James returned to Jerusalem, where he was the first apostle to be martyred. His feast day is July 25th. | Feast of Saint James, Apostle Reading 1 2 Cor 4:7-15 Brothers and sisters:
We hold this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.
We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.
For we who live are constantly being given up to death
for the sake of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith,
according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,
we too believe and therefore speak,
knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus
will raise us also with Jesus
and place us with you in his presence.
Everything indeed is for you,
so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people
may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. Responsorial Psalm Ps 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6 R. (5) Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. Alleluia See Jn 15:16 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 20:20-28 The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons
and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.
He said to her,
"What do you wish?"
She answered him,
"Command that these two sons of mine sit,
one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom."
Jesus said in reply,
"You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?"
They said to him, "We can."
He replied,
"My chalice you will indeed drink,
but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."
When the ten heard this,
they became indignant at the two brothers.
But Jesus summoned them and said,
"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and the great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
| Daily Meditation: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 We who live are constantly being given up to death . . . so that the life of Jesus may be manifested. (2 Corinthians 4:11) James's mother did what any mother would: she advocated for her sons. She asked Jesus to guarantee both James and John seats of honor in his kingdom (Matthew 20:20-21). Jesus' response must have sobered everyone. Turning to the brothers, he asked, "Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?" (Matthew 20:22). The chalice of hardship and suffering, that is! Of the twelve apostles, St. James, whose feast we celebrate today, was the first to drink that cup to its full on the day he was martyred. But that meant he was also the first to experience the "life" of the risen Lord Jesus in its fullest glory (2 Corinthians 4:10). However, it's not just physical death that manifests the life of Christ. Every trial, every ounce of suffering that we endure in faith is an opportunity for Jesus to show forth his life. Look at James as an example: he experienced fear and doubt and despair on Good Friday but knew incredible joy on Easter Sunday! He later faced persecution as he helped establish the church, but then he knew the joy of seeing thousands of conversions when he traveled to Spain to proclaim the gospel. Then, when he returned home, he was martyred by Herod Agrippa, only to be raised up to the glory of Jesus' heavenly throne (Acts 12:1-2). James had every reason to feel afflicted, persecuted, and struck down (2 Corinthians 4:8, 9). But none of these experiences—not even his death—signaled utter defeat. That's because his relationship with the risen Lord gave him unshakable confidence. Death was no longer the last word for James. And it isn't for us. We all face suffering and trials. But the fact that we're celebrating St. James today tells us that we can experience the same hope and confidence he knew, even as we go through our challenges. That's because we are all sharers in Jesus' resurrection—not only in heaven but right here on earth! "Jesus, help me to know the power of your resurrection today." Psalm 126:1-6
Matthew 20:20-28 | From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
"We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.
We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;" end of verse. The entire verse speaks of what? Faith. Treasures? Yes. In our vessel, in our body. And that He may live and do as He pleases with us. And this automatically causes an affliction. What does an afflicted soul do? Mother Mary was afflicted. The Apostles were afflicted. What is an affliction?
A quick definitions says:
:1. a cause of persistent pain or distress
a mysterious affliction
2.
: great suffering
felt empathy with their affliction
3
: the state of being afflicted by something that causes suffering.
And the image of our Blessed Mother appears, and always appears solemn.
She appeared in Africa at Kibejo, and the visionaries tried to make her smile and even dance, she complied very slightly.
So why the solemnity? Why the affliction? When a tragedy strikes, or super stress like wars, some people develop PTSD, post traumatic stress syndrome, so is that the case of an affliction like a martyr for Christ?
I carry within a deep hurt, and you'd never know it, because I make most people smile and laugh all the time and all around. But the wound is fresh. Is it the death of our Lord? Is it the death of my own dad not long ago?
The world is not as it should. Most people will agree, that this world seems so dark, and not perfect at all. But God sees otherwise. But so long as we are in the world, we will experience always temptations, and pain, but it is what we do with these things that make a difference.
So what can I do about my temptations and pains?
Offer them up. See what God can do with them. Especially if we endure them for Him and with Him, and through Him, for expiation, as an atonement, a payment for sin...and this becomes love and mercy. Heaven loves this sacrificial love, sincerity. | We pray today:
"Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing." end of Psalm. | In the Gospel today we heard:
"Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."." end of Gospel verse. The story of the 99 sheep left behind to save one sheep comes to mind.
A ransom of self comes to mind.
You risk it all for that one treasure in the field. We are God's treasure. And in the inverse effect, God should be our Treasure, a love for a love. A return and making whole with Him.
There's a new film out "Sound of Freedom" and the main figure Tim, ends up seeking a lost child. I won't spoil the film, but to know that this married man leaves off in to a dangerous 3rd world country, literally risking his life for a stranger.
Who does that?
The stranger was a child. A helpless child.
The love of God makes us do crazy things.
Like, saving lives. Like standing up for life. Just going to pray at an abortion clinic can get you arrested or threatened or beaten here in our country that is infatuated with sex.
The real culprit behind sex trafficking and violence is sex. Lust. Licentiousness. And what else? Just not caring! Yet the world is filled with this "darkness" that people get hooked on, like a drug.
So what can we do? Do you really want to know?
Drink the chalice.
Self sacrifice..to God. We are to be that perfect lamb of God. We are made perfect when we unite ourselves to Him, in doing as He pleases...with purity, and faith, and giving as we ought.
You make a difference right where you are.
This is what I tell prisoners when I visit them, sometimes 100 gathered.
This is what I tell nursing homes elderly people, sometimes 20 gathered.
And this is what I tell you, to the tens, to the hundreds, that we make a tremendous difference, because we are intimately united as one, body of Christ. You're holiness and purity shines across the world, even when you think not, science is on our side in all aspects of faith.
Mass mentality enters the picture.
Somehow we are all united, and this is how our prayers are heard too.
Faith is amazing. |  Click To Hear | WOW!
Random Bible Verse 1 1 Timothy 6:12 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
