† 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 | St. James 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 are afflicted . . . ; perplexed . . . ; persecuted, but not abandoned. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) If today is the feast of St. James, why are we reading a passage from St. Paul? Perhaps it's because this passage captures the life of every apostle—every follower of Jesus, for that matter. Surely James had times when he could relate to feeling "afflicted," "perplexed," and even "persecuted" as he devoted himself to building up the Church (2 Corinthians 4:8, 9)! Tradition tells us that some time after Pentecost, St. James traveled to the Roman province of Hispania, which is modern-day Spain, to preach the gospel. But despite his heroic, prayerful efforts, James saw very few conversions. Perplexed and frustrated, he sat down one day by the Erbo River in what is now the town of Zaragoza and poured out his heart. James was so afflicted by doubts that he was ready to give up altogether when the Virgin Mary appeared to him. She comforted James and promised him that his efforts were not in vain. Even if he didn't live to see it, the people of Hispania would eventually be converted. Then she told him to go back to Jerusalem. James returned and joined the other leaders there in caring for the new converts during a time of persecution by King Herod. A few years later, he was captured by Herod's men and beheaded (Acts 12:1-2). Because James' heart had always been with the people of Hispania, some of his disciples took his body back there for burial in what is now the city of Compostella. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims travel the winding Camino de Santiago, which ends at the Cathedral of St. James in that city. There, in fulfillment of Mary's promise, they thank this brave, faithful follower of Jesus for his prayers and heavenly help. If you are facing affliction, perplexity, or even persecution, don't give up! Remember St. James and all the apostles. No matter what they endured, Jesus never abandoned them. He won't abandon you, either! "Lord, give me your grace so that I can remain faithful to you, just as St. James was." Psalm 126:1-6
Matthew 20:20-28 |  Hear AI Read it to you. Updated 7/10/24 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: | In the Holy Scripture we hear today:
"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......" end quote. | In a family gathering a week ago, the presidential issue came up, and one said something like "that's why I don't vote". I said "but you have to vote, we may have blood on our hands if we are neutral". Most neutral people cause most wars. Why? How? Because to say neutral is to say "I don't care what happens" and then to be able to say "see, I told you". It is an excuse to wash your hand like Pontius Pilot and to free yourself from any binding to appear to be good.
And why the talk about voting at all?
Because today we heard our Lord talking about power. And He speaks about those that will use the power to "Lord it over others" to "make their power felt".
He asks us not to be that way, to throw our weight around, snubbing others and putting others down.
On this day of the Feast of St. James the Greater, we should feast upon the life of St. James as one who has lived and died for our Lord Jesus, the Way.
And this is the "Way" speaking:
"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".
The early followers of Christ were not yet known as "Christians" but they were known as those of "the Way".
And this is the "way" our Lord asks us to be, servants of servants.
Is this way, beneficial? It could cost us our lives!
Who does it benefit the most? God, the Father benefits the most. And what about us? If we were so worthy as to have a morsel of what He benefits, everlasting life, it would be amazing, wouldn't it?
Let me give you an example of the "way" that already existed before Jesus our Lord walked this earth. It is the Old Testament bible story of Daniel when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon besieged Jerusalem and took Jehoiakim and some of his princes into captivity (Daniel 1:1).
The King was forcing his "religion" his beliefs in other things, other gods onto the people. Daniel and the youth of Judah refused to eat the meat that the king provided. They preferred to be pure. Eventually the youth are found to be stronger and smarter than the rest that were held captive.
I say this because I've noticed two college students lately in the last 3 years at universities. One, was not that great in school grades, really struggled through junior college, but I kept encouraging him in the things of God and for him not to give up.
The other student was top 10 percent of his class, with aims at very high engineering aspirations but had shown signs soon of deviating from faith.
Fast forward, today, the first one today is at an internship with a worldwide company before his last year at a university, the other has dropped all aspirations of engineering to psychotic medicines and is now essentially dropped out of the university.
Does this always happen? Not always, but it is a clear example of how remaining close to God can be a real blessing.
All the message is to remain. Remain with our Lord and do not let go.
As for the world powers. I believe the people in nations get the people they deserve. If they are neutral, then the devil can easily get an upper hand at any given moment with his 50/50 shot from neutral people at getting control. What's more, exorcists say that the devil loves to work most in government and in universities, which makes sense when it comes to world domination. That is the job of the devil; that is the design from the beginning. But we have the upper hand if we become servants of the servant of God...Jesus. Humble. Servants. Jesus, King of the Universe!
It's actually an easy win, if we would just let Him be King and center of all of our lives! St. James, Patron of the Cursillos, Pray for us! Sacred Blood of Jesus, poured out for our salvation, bless us forever! | Random Bible Verse 1
Psalm 24:7–8 7 Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
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